Harmonized System
U.S. imports of Transmission Apparatus for Radio-Broadcasting or Television (HS 852550) totaled $106.6M in August 2026, imported from 50 countries.
Importers of Transmission Apparatus for Radio-Broadcasting or Television paid $11.4M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.17% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Transmission Apparatus for Radio-Broadcasting or Television imports of $106.6M in August 2026 ran 12% above the year-to-date monthly average of $95.5M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBroadcast and television transmission equipment — ranging from satellite set-top boxes and TV signal receivers to radio transmitters and closed-circuit TV decoders — spans a wide range of 10-digit tariff lines under this heading, each tied to specific technical parameters such as frequency range, signal type, and end-use function. Vietnam and Mexico are the leading US suppliers, reflecting the shift of consumer electronics and broadcast equipment assembly to Southeast Asia and North American manufacturing hubs. The heading's breadth means classification disputes are common: for example, TV set-top boxes with a communication function (8525501000) are distinguished from satellite reception apparatus (8525502010) and from general-purpose transmission apparatus (8525502050, 8525503040). Radio transmitters not exceeding 30 MHz (8525506050) and broadcast transmitters (8525507010) carry separate lines with distinct regulatory implications under FCC equipment authorization rules.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.7K import shipments a month
Set-top boxes that incorporate a communication function — such as internet connectivity or two-way data capability — classify under 8525501000, which is a distinct line from apparatus designed solely for receiving satellite TV signals (8525502010) or other television transmission apparatus (8525502050, 8525503040). The presence of a bidirectional communication capability is the key technical criterion; importers should document this in the product specification to support the classification.
Radio transmitters and broadcast transmission apparatus imported into the US must comply with FCC equipment authorization requirements before they can be marketed or operated. Depending on the device type, this may require FCC certification, Declaration of Conformity, or Supplier's Declaration of Conformity. Importers should confirm that the applicable FCC ID or authorization is in place prior to entry, as CBP may detain shipments lacking proper authorization documentation.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 852550 — Transmission Apparatus for Radio-Broadcasting or Television, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8525501000 | Tv Set Top Boxes Which Have A Communication Functn | $80.5M | 10.83% | 86.67% | $8.7M |
| 8525503040 | Television Transmission Apparatus, NESOI | $19.7M | 8.08% | 56.19% | $1.6M |
| 8525503035 | Converters, Decoders, Preamplifir, Etc, Closed Circ Tv | $8.4M | 10.77% | 71.79% | $903K |
| 8525507050 | Transmission Apparatus for Radiobroadcasting, NESOI | $1.5M | 5.29% | 46.43% | $80K |
| 8525507010 | Radio Broadcast Transmitters | $1.6M | 3.50% | 31.07% | $56K |
| 8525503015 | Tv Appar for Recept of Tv Signls Relayd by Satelli | $735K | 11.24% | 96.90% | $83K |
Converters, Decoders, Preamplifir, Etc, Closed Circ Tv
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$106.6MYoY · free account
Exports
$17.7MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $1.1B of Transmission Apparatus for Radio-Broadcasting or Television and exported $330.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Subheading 2 of 6 in heading 8525
Subheading 852550 · $106.6M of $945.2M
Imports · August 2026
origin
Vietnam and China together supply 77% of it. Thailand pays 12.1% duty; Mexico 0.2%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
14.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 10.17% of imports for consumption.