North American Industry Classification System
U.S. imports of Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical & Nautical Systems and Instruments (NAICS 334511) totaled $736.6M in August 2026, imported from 97 countries.
Importers of Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical & Nautical Systems and Instruments paid $42.1M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 5.79% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataRadar systems, sonar, inertial navigation units, GPS receivers, and related guidance instruments occupy a uniquely sensitive position in US trade law — many articles in this sector are dual-use goods subject to Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or, for military-grade items, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Import classification under NAICS 334511 intersects with HTS chapters covering electronic navigation instruments, and buyers in aerospace, defense, and maritime industries must verify both the correct tariff schedule entry and any applicable export-control classification number (ECCN). Section 301 tariffs may apply to certain components sourced from China, and some defense-related articles require a Department of Commerce or State Department license regardless of trade direction.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
29.1K import shipments a month
ITAR applies when a navigation or guidance article is specifically designed, modified, or configured for military use and appears on the US Munitions List (USML). Even imported items can trigger ITAR obligations if the importer subsequently re-exports or transfers them. A licensed export-control attorney or compliance officer should review any article that may meet USML criteria before import.
The key distinctions are performance parameters (accuracy, anti-jamming capability, altitude/velocity limits) and intended end-use. Civilian GPS receivers with standard performance thresholds generally fall under commercial HTS provisions, while high-performance inertial navigation or guidance systems may require ECCN review and potentially a Commerce or State license. Consulting a licensed customs broker alongside an export-control specialist is advisable for borderline articles.
National industry 5 of 9 in naics industry 33451
National industry 334511 · $736.6M of $6.6B
Trade Directory
List your company and tag the 6-digit products you trade, so the companies trading them can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China pays 22.3% duty; Mexico 0.5%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census publishes state breakdowns for NAICS to the 4-digit level only. See NAICS 3345 for those.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$736.6MYoY · free account
Exports
$423.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $8.1B of Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical & Nautical Systems and Instruments and exported $4.5B.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.