Harmonized System
U.S. exports of Unmounted Optical Lenses, Prisms, Mirrors & Other Optical Elements (Non-Spectacle) (HS 900190) totaled $98.3M in August 2026.
Importers of Unmounted Optical Lenses, Prisms, Mirrors & Other Optical Elements (Non-Spectacle) paid $9.0M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 16.19% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPrecision optical components — including lenses, prisms, mirrors, and halftone screens — used in scientific instruments, defense systems, semiconductor equipment, and industrial imaging fall under this heading when unmounted and optically worked. Germany leads US imports, reflecting that country's deep concentration in high-precision optics manufacturing for metrology, lithography, and laser applications. The US schedule subdivides this heading into seven 10-digit lines (9001901000 through 9001909000), separating lenses, prisms, mirrors, and other optical elements as distinct tariff lines, which matters for classification when a single shipment contains mixed optical components. China is also a significant supplier, and goods of Chinese origin may be subject to Section 301 tariffs.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3.8K import shipments a month
When lenses and prisms are imported together, each component type should be classified separately under the applicable 10-digit line — lenses under 9001904000 and prisms under 9001905000 — unless the goods are presented as a single functional assembly. Mixed shipments require line-by-line valuation and classification; a licensed customs broker can advise on apportionment methodology.
An optical element is considered 'optically worked' when it has been ground, polished, or otherwise processed to achieve specific optical properties such as defined focal length, reflectivity, or transmission characteristics. Unworked or simply cut glass blanks without optical finishing are classified outside Chapter 90, typically in Chapter 70 (glass). The distinction is critical for correct heading assignment and is often verified through technical specifications or manufacturer documentation.
Subheading 1 of 6 in heading 9001
Subheading 900190 · $98.3M of $322.1M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 900190 — Unmounted Optical Lenses, Prisms, Mirrors & Other Optical Elements (Non-Spectacle), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9001909000 | Optical Elements, Unmounted, NESOI | $27.9M | 17.12% | 93.14% | $4.8M |
| 9001904000 | Lenses, Unmounted, NESOI | $18.8M | 15.89% | 92.73% | $3.0M |
| 9001906000 | Mirrors, Unmounted, NESOI | $5.3M | 13.66% | 94.08% | $719K |
| 9001905000 | Prisms, Unmounted, NESOI | $3.8M | 14.24% | 96.23% | $534K |
| 9001908000 | Halftone Screen for Engraving/Photographic Process | $11K | 37.50% | 100.00% | $4K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9001907000 | Optical Elements of Any Material, Unmounted, NESOI | $67.6M |
| 9001901000 | Lenses, Prisms, and Mirrors, Unmounted, NESOI | $30.7M |
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
$56.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$98.3MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $618.4M of Unmounted Optical Lenses, Prisms, Mirrors & Other Optical Elements (Non-Spectacle) and exported $1.2B.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
6.5% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 16.19% of imports for consumption.