U.S. imports of Hand-Held Length Measuring Instruments (Other) (HS 901780) totaled $22.0M in August 2026, imported from 46 countries.
Importers of Hand-Held Length Measuring Instruments (Other) paid $4.5M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 19.19% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Hand-Held Length Measuring Instruments (Other) imports of $22.0M in August 2026 ran 31% above the year-to-date monthly average of $16.8M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataTape measures, folding rules, and other hand-held length measuring devices not classified as micrometers, calipers, or gauges fall under this residual heading, which covers the broad consumer and professional market for portable linear measurement tools. Thailand and Vietnam are the top two US import sources, reflecting the concentration of tape measure and rule manufacturing in Southeast Asia. The single 10-digit line (9017800000) covers the full range of residual hand-held length instruments, so classification disputes typically arise at the boundary with heading 9017.30 (micrometers and gauges) rather than within this heading itself.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.8K import shipments a month
Laser distance meters that measure length by emitting and detecting a laser pulse are generally classified under heading 9015 (surveying instruments) or heading 9031 (measuring instruments not elsewhere specified) rather than under 9017800000, which is intended for contact-based or mechanical hand-held rules and tapes. The classification turns on the measurement principle: mechanical/contact devices belong in 9017, while electro-optical distance measurement devices typically fall elsewhere. A binding ruling from CBP is advisable for laser-based tools.
Thailand and Vietnam — the top two sources for US imports under this heading — are not subject to Section 301 tariffs, which has made Southeast Asian sourcing attractive compared to Chinese-origin alternatives. China, the third-ranked supplier, does carry Section 301 exposure. Importers sourcing from China should verify the applicable duty stack and any available exclusions at the time of entry.
Subheading 1 of 5 in heading 9017
Subheading 901780 · $22.0M of $34.1M
ImportsExports
Imports
$22.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$3.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $192.0M of Hand-Held Length Measuring Instruments (Other) and exported $49.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9017800000 | Other Instruments for Measuring Length, NESOI | $23.4M | 19.19% | 99.07% | $4.5M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9017800000 | Instruments for Measuring Length, NESOI | $3.4M |
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.
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Thailand and Vietnam together supply 61% of it. China pays 38.1% duty; Taiwan 10.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
1.0% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 19.19% of imports for consumption.