Sound recording or reproducing apparatus — HTS 8519
Sound recording or reproducing apparatus
Chapter 85 › Heading 8519
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 8519 is a four-digit product category for sound recording or reproducing apparatus. It groups equipment whose main function is to record sound, play back recorded sound, or do both. Examples may include certain audio players, recorders, and related apparatus, but the exact classification depends on the product’s design and principal function.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, first identify the applicable six-digit subheading and then review the eight-digit statistical breakout. The lower-level provisions may distinguish products by type, operating method, or other technical characteristics—not necessarily only by the material they are made from. Read the complete tariff wording, including section and chapter notes, and classify the item as imported rather than by its marketing name alone.
What to check
- Identify whether the product records sound, reproduces sound, or performs both functions, and document how it works.
- Check the product’s principal function, built-in components, storage or playback method, and whether it is a complete apparatus or a part.
- Compare the product’s technical specifications with every six- and eight-digit description under heading 8519; do not choose based only on a commercial name.
- Confirm whether another heading may describe the item more specifically, especially if it is combined with radio, video, communications, or other equipment.
- Keep evidence such as manuals, photographs, schematics, and manufacturer specifications; seek a customs broker or binding ruling when the classification is uncertain.
HTS heading 8519 summary
Sound recording or reproducing apparatus is a 4-digit product category containing 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 8519.30 | Turntables (record-decks) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8519.20.00.00 👉 | Apparatus operated by coins, banknotes, bank cards, tokens or by other means of payment | 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 8519?
Sound recording or reproducing apparatus. 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.