HTS 8538.90.40Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537:Other: Other, for the articles of subheading 8535.90.40, 8536.30.40 or 8536.50.40, of ceramic or metallic materials, electrically or mechanically reactive to changes in temperature

What that translates to:Heat-reactive ceramic/metal parts of motor starters and protectors

Also written 85389040 or 8538.90.4000. Rates as CBP is collecting them today. Updated Oct 1, 2026.

Country of origin

Heat-reactive ceramic/metal parts of motor starters and… (HTS 8538.90.40) from China owe 41% in total duties as of Oct 1, 2026: a 3.5% regular duty plus a 12.5% forced-labor tariff (Section 301) and a 25% China tariff (Section 301).

Total duty rate41%That's $4,100 on a $10,000 shipment.

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

China tariffSection 301, since Jul 6, 201825%

Regular dutyBase rate (MFN) in the tariff schedule3.5%

Total duty41%

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 Action and Request for Public Comment Concerning Proposed Determination of Action Pursuant to Section 301 (List 1, 25% from Jul 6, 2018), 83 FR 28710, Jun 20, 2018; HTS 9903.88.01.

Estimate your duty

Estimated duty—

Importing under HTS 8538.90.40? Talk to a licensed broker

Classification, filing, customs bonds and refund help. CBP publishes the brokers permitted at each port.

Find a licensed broker

Opens CBP's list of permitted customs brokers. We're not paid for this link.

Details for customs filings

Official description

Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537: Other: Other, for the articles of subheading 8535.90.40, 8536.30.40 or 8536.50.40, of ceramic or metallic materials, electrically or mechanically reactive to changes in temperature

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.

8538.90.4000 (8538904000)Other, for the articles of subheading 8535.90.40, 8536.30.40 or 8536.50.40, of ceramic or metallic materials, electrically or mechanically reactive to changes in temperature · reported in No.

What changed for this code

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 8538.90.40

What is the duty rate for HTS 8538.90.40?

The regular (column 1 general) rate printed in the tariff schedule is 3.5%. Goods from China owe 41% 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 8538.90.40 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 8538.90.40 subject to Section 232 tariffs?

No Section 232 tariff applies to HTS 8538.90.40 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.