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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of recorded optical media (HS 852349) totaled $41.0M in April 2026, traded with 46 countries.
Importers of Recorded Optical Media paid $707K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 8.5% on $8.4M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataPre-recorded optical discs — pressed CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and laser discs carrying audio, video, software, or data — are classified across five 10-digit lines that distinguish the type of content and intended use: sound-only reproduction (8523493000), instructions and data (8523494000), and residual laser disc formats (8523492010, 8523492020, 8523495000). Mexico and South Korea lead US supply, with Japan, Germany, and Austria also contributing, a mix that reflects both large-scale disc replication facilities and specialized content distribution operations. Importers of discs containing software or encrypted content should confirm that the recorded content does not trigger separate licensing or intellectual property compliance obligations under US law, which operate independently of the customs classification.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The distinction turns on the nature of the recorded content. Discs pressed solely with audio content — such as commercial music CDs — fall under 8523493000. Discs containing software, data files, interactive content, or mixed-use content (e.g., CD-ROMs, data DVDs) are classified under 8523494000. Discs with both audio and non-audio content should be classified based on the content that gives the disc its essential character, which typically requires review of the disc's specifications and intended use.
Mexico hosts large-scale disc replication and packaging facilities that serve the North American entertainment and software distribution market, benefiting from geographic proximity to US distribution centers and integrated supply chains. This nearshore manufacturing model reduces lead times and logistics costs for US content distributors compared to sourcing from Asia.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $8.6M | $94.9M | +$86.3M |
| CANADA | $851K | $17.0M | +$16.2M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $14.9M | $1.4M | -$13.5M |
| CHINA | $4.1M | $3.7M | -$361K |
| TAIWAN | $98K | $5.7M | +$5.6M |
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8523493000 | RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA, FOR REPRODUCING SOUND ONLY | $16.0M | 4.95% | $111K |
| 8523495000 | DISCS FOR LASER READING SYSTEMS, NESOI | $12.8M | 9.92% | $85K |
| 8523492020 | LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE, NESOI | $6.8M | 9.37% | $276K |
| 8523494000 | RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA FOR INSTRUCTIONS, DATA, ETC | $3.9M | 11.27% | $169K |
| 8523492010 | LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE,RETAIL | $1.5M | 8.20% | $66K |
RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA, FOR REPRODUCING SOUND ONLY
DISCS FOR LASER READING SYSTEMS, NESOI
LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE, NESOI
RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA FOR INSTRUCTIONS, DATA, ETC
LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE,RETAIL
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8523494000 | RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA FOR INSTRUCTIONS, DATA, ETC | $94.6M |
| 8523492020 | LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE, NESOI | $27.7M |
| 8523495000 | DISCS FOR LASER READING SYSTEMS, NESOI | $19.0M |
| 8523492010 | LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE,RETAIL | $2.8M |
| 8523493000 | RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA, FOR REPRODUCING SOUND ONLY | $1.4M |
RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA FOR INSTRUCTIONS, DATA, ETC
599.8K no
LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE, NESOI
728.0K no
DISCS FOR LASER READING SYSTEMS, NESOI
221.3K no
LASER DISCS,NOT FOR REPRODUCING SOUND/IMAGE,RETAIL
35.6K no
RECORDED OPTICAL MEDIA, FOR REPRODUCING SOUND ONLY
146.8K no
STATIC CONVERTERS; ADP POWER SUPPLIES
HS 850440
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $684K | $90.9M | +$90.2M |
| Tennessee | $22.4M | $10.6M | -$11.8M |
| California | $6.0M | $9.6M | +$3.6M |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAREDO, TX | -- | $90.5M | +$90.5M |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $5.4M | $9.2M | +$3.8M |
| PORT HURON, MI | -- | $9.4M | +$9.4M |