U.S. imports of Photographic & Cinematographic Laboratory Equipment & Negatoscopes (HS 901050) totaled $654K in August 2026, imported from 17 countries.
Importers of Photographic & Cinematographic Laboratory Equipment & Negatoscopes paid $151K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 23.07% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Photographic & Cinematographic Laboratory Equipment & Negatoscopes imports of $654K in August 2026 ran 15% below the year-to-date monthly average of $770K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSpecialized apparatus for professional photo and cinema labs — including contact printers (9010501000), developing tanks (9010502000), cinema film editors and splicers (9010503000), and film viewers and titlers (9010504000, 9010505000) — falls under this heading alongside a catch-all line (9010506000) for other lab equipment and negatoscopes used in medical and industrial imaging. Germany leads US import supply, followed by China and Italy, reflecting the concentration of precision optical and photographic manufacturing in those markets. Importers should note that some lines within this heading may be subject to Section 301 tariffs depending on country of origin, particularly for Chinese-sourced goods. Classification disputes often arise between this heading and related optical instrument headings, so the specific function and design of the apparatus are determinative.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
25 import shipments a month
The key is whether the apparatus is specifically designed for use in a photographic or cinematographic laboratory context. General-purpose optical instruments typically fall under headings 9011 or 9013, while equipment purpose-built for film processing, printing, or editing workflows belongs under 9010.50. When function is ambiguous, the product's design specifications and marketing documentation are critical evidence for classification.
Yes, many tariff lines under this heading for goods originating in China may be subject to Section 301 tariffs. Importers should verify the applicable action list and any granted exclusions with a licensed customs broker before entry, as coverage and exclusion status can change.
Subheading 2 of 4 in heading 9010
Subheading 901050 · $654K of $3.1M
ImportsExports
Imports
$654KYoY · free account
Exports
$542KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $8.2M of Photographic & Cinematographic Laboratory Equipment & Negatoscopes and exported $12.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China and France together supply 66% of it. China pays 37.5% duty; Germany 9.6%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
0.5% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 23.07% of imports for consumption.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9010506000 | Apparatus and Equipment for Photographic Labs Nes | $595K | 24.33% | 99.51% | $145K |
| 9010505000 | Photo Film Viewers, Titlers, Splicers&editors Nes | $38K | 10.00% | 100.00% | $4K |
| 9010502000 | Developing Tanks for Photographic Laboratories | $21K | 10.67% | 100.00% | $2K |
| 9010501000 | Contact Printers for Photographic Laboratories | — | -- | -- | -- |
| 9010504000 | Film Viewers and Titlers W/Optical Lens NESOI | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
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.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 901050 — Photographic & Cinematographic Laboratory Equipment & Negatoscopes, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.