U.S. imports of Electrical Insulators (Other Materials) (HS 854690) totaled $30.3M in August 2026, imported from 42 countries.
Importers of Electrical Insulators (Other Materials) paid $4.3M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 14.09% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Electrical Insulators (Other Materials) imports of $30.3M in August 2026 ran 15% above the year-to-date monthly average of $26.3M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataElectrical insulators made from materials other than glass or ceramics — primarily polymeric, composite, or silicone rubber types — are classified here, covering a product category that has grown substantially as utilities modernize aging infrastructure with lighter-weight, vandal-resistant alternatives to porcelain. China leads US import supply for this heading, with Mexico and Canada also significant sources; USMCA origin rules make Mexican and Canadian supply attractive for cost-sensitive distribution projects. The single 10-digit line (8546900000) means all non-glass, non-ceramic insulators are consolidated, so importers must ensure the product's material composition clearly excludes glass and ceramic to avoid misclassification.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.7K import shipments a month
Polymeric insulators made from silicone rubber, EPDM, or fiberglass-reinforced resin are the most common products here. These include composite suspension insulators, polymer line posts, and surge arrester housings. The key classification test is that the insulating material must not be glass or ceramic — if it is, the product belongs in heading 854610 or 854620 respectively.
While there is no mandatory federal pre-market approval for electrical insulators, utility purchasers typically require compliance with IEEE 1523 or IEC 61109 standards for composite suspension insulators, and products may need to meet ANSI C29 equivalents for specific applications. Importers should obtain test reports from accredited laboratories and confirm that the product meets the purchaser's specification before shipment, as rejection after customs clearance is costly.
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Subheading 1 of 3 in heading 8546
Subheading 854690 · $30.3M of $54.5M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8546900000 | Electrical Insulators, NESOI | $30.8M | 14.09% | 69.86% | $4.3M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8546900000 | Electrical Insulators, NESOI | $19.7M |
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
$30.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$19.7MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $299.6M of Electrical Insulators (Other Materials) and exported $231.3M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China and Mexico together supply 43% of it. China pays 35.7% duty; Canada 0.1%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
25.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 14.09% of imports for consumption.