U.S. imports of Surveying Levels (HS 901530) totaled $2.1M in August 2026, imported from 29 countries.
Importers of Surveying Levels paid $427K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 20.02% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSurveying levels — instruments that establish a horizontal plane of reference for construction, civil engineering, and geodetic work — are divided in the US schedule between electrical (9015304000) and non-electrical (9015308000) types, with the electrical category capturing digital and laser levels increasingly used on modern job sites. China is the leading US supplier under this heading, reflecting its dominant position in mid-range construction instrument manufacturing, with Germany and Mexico also among the top sources. Importers should note that laser-based surveying levels may require classification analysis relative to heading 9013.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
155 import shipments a month
A rotating laser level whose primary function is to project a horizontal reference plane for construction layout is generally classified under heading 9015 as a surveying level, not under 9013 as a laser instrument. The laser is the mechanism, not the product's defining function. CBP's principal-function test applies, and the product's marketing materials, technical specifications, and intended end-use all support the classification argument.
Standard surveying levels do not require agency admissibility review beyond normal CBP entry. However, if a level incorporates radio-frequency components (e.g., Bluetooth data transmission), FCC equipment authorization may be required before the device is marketed in the US. Importers of digitally connected survey instruments should confirm FCC compliance status prior to commercial release.
Subheading 6 of 6 in heading 9015
Subheading 901530 · $2.1M of $120.4M
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$642KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $21.8M of Surveying Levels and exported $8.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9015308000 | Surveying Levels, Except Electrical | $1.2M | 24.88% | 79.90% | $293K |
| 9015304000 | Electrical Surveying Levels | $951K | 14.00% | 99.71% | $133K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9015300000 | Levels (Surveying) | $642K |
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.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China and Germany together supply 58% of it. China pays 39.8% duty; Mexico 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
11.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 20.02% of imports for consumption.