HTS 8523.49.40Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37:Optical media: Other: Other: For reproducing representations of instructions, data, sound, and image, recorded in a machine readable binary form, and capable of being manipulated or providing interactivity to a user, by means of an automatic data processing machine; proprietary format recorded discs

What that translates to:Interactive discs in proprietary formats (e.g. video game discs)

Also written 85234940 or 8523.49.4000. Rates as CBP is collecting them today. Updated Oct 1, 2026.

Country of origin

Interactive discs in proprietary formats (e.g. video game… (HTS 8523.49.40) from China owe 37.5% in total duties as of Oct 1, 2026: no regular duty plus a 12.5% forced-labor tariff (Section 301) and a 25% China tariff (Section 301).

Total duty rate37.5%That's $3,750 on a $10,000 shipment.

Forced-labor tariffSection 301, since Jul 24, 202612.5%

China tariffSection 301, since May 10, 201925%

Regular dutyBase rate (MFN) in the tariff scheduleFree

Total duty37.5%

Court status: Challenged at the U.S. Court of International Trade in In re Section 301 Forced Labor Cases, Court No. 26-03555-3JP, before a three-judge panel. The plaintiffs, Learning Resources and others, have moved for judgment on the agency record, arguing that the action (91 FR 47318) exceeds USTR's statutory authority, is arbitrary and capricious, and is pretextual; 25 states, plaintiffs in Court No. 26-cv-03467-3JP, support them as amici (brief filed Sep 11, 2026). No ruling as of Oct 1, 2026, so the rate is unchanged.

Sources: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Revision 20 (2026); USTR, Notice of Actions in Section 301 Investigations (forced labor), 91 FR 47318, Jul 28, 2026; HTS 9903.05.31; USTR, Notice of Modification of Section 301 Action (List 3 raised to 25% from May 10, 2019), 84 FR 20459, May 9, 2019; HTS 9903.88.03.

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Official description

Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, but excluding products of Chapter 37: Optical media: Other: Other: For reproducing representations of instructions, data, sound, and image, recorded in a machine readable binary form, and capable of being manipulated or providing interactivity to a user, by means of an automatic data processing machine; proprietary format recorded discs

Legal text from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Revision 20 (2026), chapter 85: Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles.

Statistical lines

The 10-digit numbers used on entry paperwork. They share this code's duty rates.

8523.49.4000 (8523494000)For reproducing representations of instructions, data, sound, and image, recorded in a machine readable binary form, and capable of being manipulated or providing interactivity to a user, by means of an automatic data processing machine; proprietary format recorded discs · reported in No.

What changed for this code

Sep 29, 2026Import bans on some Canadian products on the Section 338 lists take effect
Sep 15, 2026Canada Section 338 lists change, and goods under Section 232 lose their exemption
Aug 22, 2026Section 338 duties of 50% on listed Canadian products start
Jul 24, 2026Forced-labor tariffs start on imports from 60 economies (Section 301)
Jul 22, 202625% Section 301 tariff on products of Brazil starts
Jan 1, 2026Section 301 tariff on Nicaragua starts at 0%, set to rise to 10% in 2027 and 15% in 2028

Questions about HTS 8523.49.40

What is the duty rate for HTS 8523.49.40?

The regular (column 1 general) rate printed in the tariff schedule is Free. Goods from China owe 37.5% in total as of Oct 1, 2026, including any additional tariffs. Additional tariffs depend on the country of origin; choose one above to see its full rate.

Is HTS 8523.49.40 subject to Section 301 tariffs?

Yes, for goods from 85 countries and territories as of Oct 1, 2026, including Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria. Choose a country above to see the rate and any exemptions.

Is HTS 8523.49.40 subject to Section 232 tariffs?

No Section 232 tariff applies to HTS 8523.49.40 as of Oct 1, 2026, from any country of origin.

HTSLookup shows the duties CBP collects on this code by country of origin. Antidumping or countervailing duties may also apply to some exporters; they're set per company and aren't shown.