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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of connectors for optical fibers, bundles, or cables (HS 853670) totaled $142.3M in July 2026, traded with 56 countries.
Importers of Connectors for Optical Fibers, Bundles, or Cables paid $9.4M in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $73.7M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Connectors for Optical Fibers, Bundles, or Cables imports of $142.3M in July 2026 ran 36% above the year-to-date monthly average of $104.6M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataOptical fiber connectors — including ferrule-based types such as LC, SC, and MPO — are a high-precision component underpinning broadband, data center, and telecommunications infrastructure buildout. Unlike copper-based connectors in heading 8536, these devices manage light transmission alignment rather than electrical continuity, and that functional distinction drives their separate classification under 853670 with a single US tariff line (8536700000). Mexico is the leading US import source, with Taiwan and Japan also prominent suppliers, reflecting the concentration of precision fiber-optic manufacturing in East Asia and nearshore assembly operations. Importers should be aware that misclassification between optical connectors and copper connectors is a recurring audit issue given the physical similarity of some connector housings.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3.0K shipments/mo
Hybrid connectors present a classification challenge. CBP guidance generally directs classification based on the essential character or the component that gives the article its primary function. A connector whose primary purpose is optical signal transmission may still qualify under 853670, but one where the copper conductors are equally or more significant may be classified elsewhere. A binding ruling request to CBP is advisable for hybrid designs.
Optical fiber connectors require tight ferrule tolerances — often sub-micron — and consistent polishing quality to meet insertion-loss and return-loss specifications. Taiwanese and Japanese manufacturers have long-established precision manufacturing capabilities and quality certifications (such as Telcordia GR-326) that are difficult to replicate quickly, sustaining their market position even as other regions expand capacity.
Subheading 5 of 10 in heading 8536
Subheading 853670 · $142.3M of $1.6B
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8536700000 | Connectors for Optical Fibers, Bundles, Or Cables | $142.3M | 6.63% | 51.81% | $9.4M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8536700000 | Connectors for Optical Fibers, Bundles, Or Cables | $109.5M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$142.3MYoY · Pro
Exports
$109.5MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
Mexico and Japan together supply 70% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
47.1% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 6.63%.