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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of connectors for optical fibers, bundles, or cables (HS 853670) totaled $81.7M in April 2026, traded with 52 countries.
Importers of Connectors for Optical Fibers, Bundles, or Cables paid $7.4M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 12% on $62.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 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.
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.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8536700000 | CONNECTORS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS, BUNDLES, OR CABLES | $81.7M | 11.83% | $7.4M |
CONNECTORS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS, BUNDLES, OR CABLES
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8536700000 | CONNECTORS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS, BUNDLES, OR CABLES | $93.1M |
CONNECTORS FOR OPTICAL FIBERS, BUNDLES, OR CABLES
36.0M 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
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $34.1M | $52.1M | +$18.0M |
| Texas | $13.0M | $5.8M | -$7.2M |
| New Mexico | $3.2M | $8.8M | +$5.6M |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $1.9M | $32.7M | +$30.8M |
| CLEVELAND, OH | $5.1M | $25.8M | +$20.7M |
| ANCHORAGE, AK | $19.0M | $692K | -$18.3M |