Shipping electronics from China to the US: duties, FCC rules, and battery restrictions

Duty rates for electronics from China

Duty rates for electronics from China depend on the specific HTS code. The range is wide:

• Smartphones and most mobile phones: 0% base duty under HTA Chapter 84/85 provisions, but Section 301 tariffs of 7.5 to 25% apply depending on the specific product.
• Laptops and tablets: 0% base duty in many cases; Section 301 tariff 7.5 to 25% depending on classification.
• Earbuds and headphones: base duty 4.9% plus Section 301 tariff of 7.5 to 25%.
• LED lighting and smart bulbs: base duty 2 to 3.9% plus Section 301 tariff.
• Portable power banks and chargers: varies by construction; Section 301 tariffs apply.
• Generic electronic accessories (cables, cases, mounts): typically 0% base duty; Section 301 tariffs 7.5 to 25%.

Post-November 2025 US-China truce, Section 301 tariffs stabilized in the 7.5 to 25% range for most electronics categories, down from the 145% peak that briefly applied in early 2025. The exact rate for your product depends on its 10-digit HTS code. Verify via hts.usitc.gov before committing to a price.

The correct HTS code for your product also determines Section 301 tariff list eligibility. The same physical product classified slightly differently can carry a meaningfully different duty rate -- this is one reason getting HS classification right before import matters.

FCC authorization: what it is and which products need it

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates devices that emit radio frequency energy -- intentionally (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular) or unintentionally (microprocessors, switching power supplies). Most consumer electronics fall into one of two authorization categories:

• Certification (formerly ID): required for intentional radiators like Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth speakers, cellular devices, and smart home products. The manufacturer must have the device tested by an FCC-accredited lab and obtain an FCC ID before the product can be imported or sold. The FCC ID must be displayed on the product.
• Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC): required for unintentional radiators and certain devices that don't need a lab-issued ID. The supplier self-declares compliance using a tested sample.
• Verification: applies to some unintentional radiators; records of testing must be kept but no external filing is required.

If your product requires FCC Certification, it must have an FCC ID before it can be legally imported. Ask your Chinese supplier for the FCC grant number. You can verify the authorization at apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm.

Products imported for testing and evaluation purposes (up to 200 units per manufacturer) are exempt from FCC authorization. For commercial quantities, no exemption applies. Importing non-authorized devices for sale is a violation that can result in CBP detention, forced re-export, or destruction of the goods.

Lithium battery restrictions on air freight

Lithium batteries -- both lithium-ion (rechargeable) and lithium metal (non-rechargeable) -- are regulated as dangerous goods on air freight under IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. This affects how products containing batteries can be shipped by air and what packaging and documentation is required.

Key rules for air shipments:

• Lithium-ion cells must be at 30% state of charge or less for air transport.
• Batteries must be protected against short-circuit (in original retail packaging or with terminals taped).
• Standalone batteries (not installed in equipment) are classified as Section II dangerous goods and require proper packaging and limited quantity markings.
• Batteries installed in equipment (e.g., a power bank as a finished product) travel under different rules depending on watt-hour rating.
• Large lithium batteries above specific watt-hour thresholds (typically 100 Wh per cell for lithium-ion) are restricted from passenger aircraft entirely.

In practice, most consumer electronics with built-in batteries (under 100 Wh per cell) can be shipped by air, but the freight forwarder must declare them correctly and the airline must accept the shipment. Some carriers restrict lithium battery shipments or impose surcharges. Confirm with your freight forwarder before booking.

For sea freight, lithium battery regulations are less restrictive, though IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) rules still apply for large quantities. Sea is often the preferred channel for large volumes of battery-containing products.

Other compliance checks for electronics

Beyond FCC and battery rules, electronics may require:

• UL, ETL, or CE certification: not a US import requirement, but Amazon and major retailers require safety certification for many electronics categories. Check the listing requirements before importing.
• California Proposition 65 warnings: products sold in California with certain chemicals must carry Prop 65 warnings. Electronics can contain chemicals that trigger this requirement.
• CPSC reporting: if your product has a battery defect or safety issue, there are mandatory reporting requirements to the CPSC. This is not a pre-import step but a post-sale obligation.
• Country of origin marking: all US imports must be marked with country of origin. For electronics assembled in China with components from other countries, the origin marking rules can be complex.

Request the full compliance package from your supplier before placing a bulk order: FCC authorization documents, test reports, safety certifications, and the commercial invoice with accurate product descriptions and declared values. Getting these documents before the order is placed is easier than chasing them after the goods are on the water.

What to tell your customs broker

For a smooth electronics clearance, give your customs broker:

• The FCC ID for each product that has one (or written confirmation it is exempt and why).
• Accurate product descriptions that match the FCC authorization (not generic descriptions like 'electronic device').
• Lithium battery documentation: watt-hour rating, number of cells, whether installed in equipment or loose.
• Commercial invoice showing declared value based on actual transaction price.
• Packing list with per-carton weights, including battery weight where applicable.

Customs brokers who handle regular electronics imports will ask for most of this automatically. If yours does not, treat it as a sign to ask more questions.