Discs — HTS 8523
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
Chapter 85 › Heading 8523
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 8523 is a broad product category for physical media used to record or store sound, images, data, or other information. It can include discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, smart cards, and related recording media, whether blank or already recorded. It also covers certain matrices and masters used to manufacture discs. Products classified in Chapter 37 are excluded.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, first identify the item’s actual function and physical form, then use the heading’s subheadings and product descriptions to narrow it down. The subheading may distinguish products by material or technology—such as magnetic media, optical media, semiconductor or solid-state storage, or smart cards—and may further distinguish whether the medium is recorded, unrecorded, or a particular type. The final digits are country-specific, so confirm the complete code in the current US HTS and review any applicable statistical suffix or additional reporting requirements.
What to check
- Identify the medium’s technology and physical form: magnetic tape, optical disc, semiconductor storage, smart card, or another recording medium.
- Confirm whether the item is blank, recorded, or a production master or matrix, and describe what it records or stores.
- Check whether the product is actually a recording medium or instead a device, accessory, software product, or other article that may belong elsewhere.
- Review the Chapter 37 exclusion and any relevant section or chapter notes before assigning heading 8523.
- Compare the full product description with the current US HTS subheadings and 8-digit entries; seek a customs broker or binding ruling when the product combines multiple functions or its principal character is unclear.
HTS heading 8523 summary
Discs 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 |
|---|---|
| 8523.29 | Other |
| 8523.49 | Other |
| 8523.80 | Other |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8523.21.00.00 👉 | Cards incorporating a magnetic stripe | Free | — | 80% |
| 8523.41.00.00 👉 | Unrecorded | Free | — | 80% |
| 8523.51.00.00 👉 | Solid-state non-volatile storage devices | Free | — | 80% |
| 8523.52.00 👉 | "Smart cards" | Free | — | 35% |
| 8523.59.00.00 👉 | Other | 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 8523?
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. 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.