U.S. imports of Microfilm, Microfiche & Other Microform Readers (SITC 88131) totaled $179K in August 2026, imported from 8 countries.
Importers of Microfilm, Microfiche & Other Microform Readers paid $22K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.37% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Microfilm, Microfiche & Other Microform Readers imports of $179K in August 2026 ran 351% above the year-to-date monthly average of $40K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataOptical readers designed to magnify and display images recorded on microfilm, microfiche, or other microform media — including models capable of producing paper copies — are classified under SITC 88131. These devices serve government archives, libraries, legal records management, and financial institutions that maintain legacy document collections on film-based media. The market is mature and largely replacement-driven, with demand concentrated in institutions that have not yet completed digitization of their microform holdings.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3 import shipments a month
A reader-scanner combination that primarily functions as a microform reader but includes a digital scanning capability is generally still classified here, provided the microform reading function is the principal purpose. However, if the device is primarily a document scanner that incidentally reads microfilm, it may fall under a different heading. The principal-function test is key, and a licensed customs broker should be consulted for combination units.
Government agencies, federal and state archives, university libraries, legal records departments, and financial institutions with legacy document retention obligations are the primary buyers. Demand is largely replacement-driven as institutions maintain existing microform collections while gradually transitioning to digital storage.
Basic heading 400 of 419 in section 8
Basic heading 88131 · $179K of $46.9B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
United Kingdom and Canada together supply 100% of it. United Kingdom pays 13.5% duty; Canada 0.0%.
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
$179KYoY · free account
Exports
$178KYoY · free account
Low of 10 reported months · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $358K of Microfilm, Microfiche & Other Microform Readers.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026 · imports 10 of 12 months reported, exports 10 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.