U.S. exports of Mounted Optical Filters (SITC 88433) totaled $10.5M in August 2026.
Importers of Mounted Optical Filters paid $606K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 17.91% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Mounted Optical Filters imports of $3.4M in August 2026 ran 11% below the year-to-date monthly average of $3.8M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataOptical filters set into mechanical mounts—including bandpass, longpass, shortpass, neutral density, and polarizing filter assemblies—serve critical roles in scientific instrumentation, machine vision, fluorescence microscopy, laser systems, and broadcast imaging. The 'mounted' condition distinguishes these from polarizing sheet stock or unmounted filter glass classified elsewhere. Precision interference filters for spectroscopy and biomedical imaging represent the high-value end of this trade, while photographic screw-mount filters occupy the consumer tier.
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329 import shipments a month
A mounted optical filter is specifically designed to selectively transmit, reflect, or absorb light within defined wavelength ranges—its primary function is spectral or intensity selection rather than image formation or beam shaping. Lenses, prisms, and mirrors that form or redirect beams are classified as other mounted optical elements. Product documentation specifying the filter's spectral transmission curve and intended function is the most reliable evidence for classification.
Yes, consumer photographic filters—UV, polarizing, neutral density, or color-correction filters in screw or bayonet mounts designed for camera lenses—fall within this heading as mounted optical filters. The heading covers both precision scientific filters and consumer photographic accessories, with the mounted condition being the common requirement.
Basic heading 164 of 419 in section 8
Basic heading 88433 · $10.5M of $18.4B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$3.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$10.5MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $49.0M of Mounted Optical Filters.
Through August 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.