U.S. imports of Illuminated Signs, Illuminated Nameplates & Similar Articles (SITC 81320) totaled $15.0M in August 2026, imported from 67 countries.
Importers of Illuminated Signs, Illuminated Nameplates & Similar Articles paid $2.5M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 16.34% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataLED-backlit channel letters, neon signs, and illuminated nameplates used in retail, hospitality, and commercial branding fall under this heading, which sits at the intersection of the lighting and signage industries. Chinese-origin illuminated signs have faced Section 301 tariff exposure, making supplier diversification and first-sale valuation strategies relevant considerations for large-volume importers. Classification turns on whether the article's primary function is to convey a message or brand identity (illuminated sign) versus to provide general illumination (lighting fitting) — a distinction CBP has addressed in multiple rulings.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3.6K import shipments a month
CBP generally classifies an article as an illuminated sign when its primary purpose is to display text, a logo, or a symbol for identification or advertising. Decorative light fixtures that happen to spell out words may still be classified as lighting fittings if their dominant commercial function is ambient illumination rather than signage. Product marketing materials, invoices, and technical specs are all relevant evidence.
Yes — the tariff classification is determined by the nature of the article, not whether it was custom-made. A custom LED channel-letter sign and a stock illuminated nameplate in the same heading carry the same base duty rate and any applicable trade-remedy tariffs, regardless of the bespoke nature of the order.
Basic heading 244 of 419 in section 8
Basic heading 81320 · $15.0M of $46.9B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
China and Canada together supply 45% of it. China pays 42.3% duty; Mexico 0.1%.
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
$15.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$2.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $166.0M of Illuminated Signs, Illuminated Nameplates & Similar Articles and exported $38.6M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.