U.S. imports of Binoculars (SITC 87111) totaled $23.4M in August 2026, imported from 29 countries.
Importers of Binoculars paid $2.6M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.88% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Binoculars imports of $23.4M in August 2026 ran 33% above the year-to-date monthly average of $17.7M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBinoculars — prismatic or otherwise — are precision optical instruments widely used in defense, wildlife observation, marine navigation, and sporting applications, and the specific optical design (roof prism vs. Porro prism) and magnification range often determine end-use market positioning. Imports from Japan and Germany have historically set the quality benchmark for high-end binoculars, while volume-tier products increasingly originate from China, where Section 301 tariffs may apply depending on the specific HTS classification. Buyers sourcing for government or defense end-uses should also verify whether Buy American or other procurement restrictions apply.
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496 import shipments a month
Yes — binoculars classified under relevant HTS subheadings and originating in China may be subject to Section 301 tariffs. Importers should confirm the applicable 10-digit HTS code and cross-reference current Section 301 annexes, as coverage can differ between consumer-grade and professional optical instruments.
Binoculars are dual-tube instruments providing stereoscopic vision and fall under SITC 87111, while monoculars — single-tube optical devices — are classified under SITC 87115 with other optical telescopes. The distinction matters because the two headings may carry different duty rates at the HTS level.
Basic heading 207 of 419 in section 8
Basic heading 87111 · $23.4M of $46.9B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
China and Philippines together supply 60% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$23.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$5.7MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $208.6M of Binoculars.
Through August 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.