INSIGHTS · THE ANCHOR

The duty stack for power products, by HTS code

As of , a charger or adapter of Chinese origin under HTS 8504.40.85 pays an effective 35.0% in duties; the same article of Vietnamese origin pays 10.0%. The table below shows every layer and the authority that created it.

Verified against HTSUS Rev. 14 · updated monthly · changelog

Effective rates, at a glance

CHINAMFN 0%§301 25%§122 10%35.0%
VIETNAMMFN 0%§122 10%10.0%
MEXICOUSMCA 0%0.0%
CHINA − VIETNAM  25.0 pts

HTS 8504.40.85. Mexico assumes USMCA qualification with certificate; §122 exempts USMCA-originating goods. Transshipped goods misdeclared as Vietnamese: 40% penalty rate, all layers reinstated.

The full stack, layer by layer

Rates are ad valorem on entered value. Each layer stacks on the same base; they are added, not compounded.

DUTY LAYER · AUTHORITYCHINAVIETNAMMEXICO
MFN base rate
HTSUS 8504.40.85, Rev. 14 (2026)0%0%0% (USMCA)
Section 301, List 4A
84 FR 43304 (Aug 20, 2019), as modified25%——
Section 122 surcharge
19 U.S.C. §2132, proclaimed eff. 2026-02-2410%10%— (exempt)
Effective rate — 8504.40.8535.0%10.0%0.0%
OTHER HTS CODES WE ENTERCHINAVIETNAMMEXICO
Static converters, other 8504.40.9536.5%11.5%0.0%
USB-C cable assemblies 8544.42.9037.6%12.6%0.0%

8504.40.95 MFN 1.5% · 8544.42.90 MFN 2.6% · both on §301 List 4A at 25% · §122 10% applies ex-USMCA

How to read this if you buy from China today

On a $100,000 entry of 8504.40.85, origin China costs $35,000 in duty; origin Vietnam costs $10,000. The delta is $25,000 — roughly the gross margin on the goods themselves. This is why origin, not unit price, is the number to negotiate first.

The delta only survives scrutiny if origin does. A quote that beats this table by relabeling will cost 40% plus penalties when CBP samples the entry. Ask any supplier — including us — for the documents listed on the Origin page before you re-source.

Changelog

Verified against HTSUS Rev. 14. No change.
Verified. No change. Added 8544.42.90 row after reader request.
Verified. Mexico §122 exemption confirmed for USMCA-originating goods.
Verified. No change.
Page published. §122 surcharge (eff. 2026-02-24) reflected in all effective rates.

We verify monthly whether or not anything changed, and say so. Corrections: write to us; fixes are published here with the date.

Rates verified [DATE] against HTSUS Rev. [N]. Not customs or legal advice.