Primary cells and primary batteries — HTS 8506
Primary cells and primary batteries; parts thereof
Chapter 85 › Heading 8506
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 8506 is a broad product category for primary cells and primary batteries, along with their parts. “Primary” generally means the cell or battery is designed for one-way use and is not intended to be recharged. The heading can cover individual cells as well as batteries made by combining multiple cells, but the exact classification depends on the product’s construction and features.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, start with the product’s technical identity and then follow the subheading structure beneath heading 8506. The narrower provisions commonly distinguish products by battery or cell type, such as the materials used for the electrodes or electrolyte, and may also separate complete goods from parts. Confirm the current HTSUS wording, unit of quantity, and any applicable statistical suffix before filing.
What to check
- Confirm that the item is a primary, non-rechargeable cell or battery rather than an accumulator or other rechargeable battery.
- Identify the chemistry and construction from the datasheet, label, safety documentation, and manufacturer specifications; do not rely only on a marketing name.
- Determine whether the shipment is a complete cell or battery, or a part specifically described by the relevant provision.
- Check how the HTSUS distinguishes the product by material, chemistry, size, or other technical characteristic, and match the facts exactly.
- If the product combines technologies, is a battery component, or has an unusual design, ask a customs broker or request a binding classification ruling before importing.
HTS heading 8506 summary
Primary cells and primary batteries is a 4-digit product category containing 5 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 8506.30 | Mercuric oxide |
| 8506.40 | Silver oxide |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8506.10.00 👉 | Manganese dioxide | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8506.50.00 👉 | Lithium | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8506.60.00 👉 | Air-zinc | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8506.80.00 👉 | Other primary cells and primary batteries | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
| 8506.90.00.00 👉 | Parts | 2.7% | Free | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8506?
Primary cells and primary batteries; parts thereof. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.