HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of unequipped boards, panels, consoles, and cabinets for electrical control equipment (HS 853810) totaled $59.4M in April 2026, traded with 52 countries.
Importers of Unequipped Boards, Panels, Consoles, and Cabinets for Electrical Control Equipment paid $6.6M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 21% on $30.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataBare enclosures — including boards, panels, consoles, desks, and cabinets — designed to house electrical control or distribution apparatus but imported without that apparatus installed classify here rather than under heading 8537. The single US tariff line (8538100000) covers the full range of these structural bases, and the critical classification boundary is the absence of integrated electrical apparatus: once equipped, the assembly migrates to 8537. Mexico and Canada are the leading suppliers, consistent with North American supply-chain integration for industrial electrical equipment. Importers should document the unequipped status clearly, as CBP may scrutinize shipments where wiring harnesses or mounting hardware could suggest partial equipping.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
An enclosure classifies under 8538 only when it arrives without electrical apparatus installed. If the enclosure is imported with any switching, protective, or measuring apparatus already fitted — even partially — it is considered 'equipped' and should be classified under 8537. Mounting rails, DIN rails, and cable management accessories alone generally do not constitute electrical apparatus, but integrated busbars or pre-wired terminals may.
Heading 8538 does not subdivide by material at the 6-digit level, and the single US 10-digit line (8538100000) covers all materials — steel, aluminum, and non-metallic enclosures alike. However, if an enclosure is not specifically designed for electrical control equipment (e.g., a general-purpose metal cabinet), it may classify under a furniture or metal articles heading instead. The design intent and compatibility with heading 8537 apparatus are the determining factors.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $25.8M | $7.9M | -$17.9M |
| CANADA | $10.1M | $6.9M | -$3.2M |
| DENMARK | $9.2M | $29K | -$9.2M |
| INDIA | $5.2M | $153K | -$5.1M |
| NETHERLANDS | $56K | $3.0M | +$3.0M |
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8538100000 | BOARDS, PANELS, CONSOLES ETC OF 8537 LESS APTS | $59.4M | 21.33% | $6.6M |
BOARDS, PANELS, CONSOLES ETC OF 8537 LESS APTS
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8538100000 | BOARDS, PANELS, CONSOLES ETC OF 8537 LESS APTS | $25.1M |
BOARDS, PANELS, CONSOLES ETC OF 8537 LESS APTS
1.1M no
MACH FOR RECP/CONVR/TRANS/REGN OF VOICE/IMAGE/DATA
HS 851762
SOLID-STATE NON-VOL SEMICONDUCTOR STORAGE DEVICES
HS 852351
SMARTPHONES
HS 851713
PROCESSORS AND CONTROLLERS, ELECTRONIC INTEG CIRCT
HS 854231
CONTROLS ETC W ELECT APPR F ELECT CONT NOV 1000 V
HS 853710
STATIC CONVERTERS; ADP POWER SUPPLIES
HS 850440
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HILDAGO, TX | $12.2M | $1.2M | -$10.9M |
| LAREDO, TX | $10.6M | $2.1M | -$8.5M |
| NEWARK, NJ | $8.6M | -- | -$8.6M |