HS 903020 Oscilloscopes and oscillographs
Quick Answer: Oscilloscopes and oscillographs imported under HS 903020 enter the UK at 0.00%, the EU at 0.00%, and the US at a rate of Free under the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff. This HS code specifically covers instruments designed to display and analyze electrical signals over time, commonly used in electronics testing and research. While duty rates are generally favorable in these key markets, importers and customs brokers should verify specific subheadings and any applicable taxes or fees. CustomTariffs aggregates this tariff information, highlighting the generally duty-free entry for these sophisticated electronic measurement devices in major trading blocs.
What Are the Import Duty Rates?
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9030200000 | 0.00 % | — | — |
🇪🇺 European Union (TARIC)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9030200000 | 0.00 % | — | — |
🇺🇸 United States (HTSUS)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9030200500 | Free | — | ["No."] |
| 903020 | — | — | — |
| 9030201000 | Free | — | ["No."] |
Duty rates sourced from the USITC (US International Trade Commission) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) (accessed 2/22/2026), EU TARIC – DG TAXUD (Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union) (accessed 2/22/2026), and UK Trade Tariff – HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) (accessed 2/22/2026).
Data compiled and presented by HSRates.
How Has Trade Volume Developed?
Trade Volume 2023
How to Classify This HS Code?
What products does HS 903020 cover?
This subheading covers oscilloscopes and oscillographs, which are electronic instruments used to display and analyze varying signal voltages, typically as a graph of voltage versus time. According to the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System Nomenclature, this category includes devices that capture, display, and record electrical waveforms. The US International Trade Commission (USITC) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the EU's TARIC database confirm that these instruments are essential for testing, measurement, and diagnostic purposes in electronics and engineering fields.
What falls outside HS 903020?
The following products are excluded from HS 903020: general-purpose measuring instruments that do not primarily display waveforms, such as multimeters (HS 903031), frequency counters (HS 903084), or signal generators (HS 903180). Devices that are primarily for recording data without real-time waveform visualization, or instruments designed for specific non-electrical measurements, are also classified elsewhere. For instance, a digital data logger without a waveform display function would not fall under this heading.
What are common classification mistakes for HS 903020?
A common error is misclassifying combined instruments. For example, if an oscilloscope is integrated into a larger system that performs functions beyond waveform display, such as a complex test bench or a diagnostic tool for a specific industry, the overall classification might shift based on the principal function, as per General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 3. Importers may also mistakenly classify oscilloscopes with advanced signal analysis capabilities under a more general heading if they do not fully understand the specific functionalities that define this subheading.
How should importers classify products under HS 903020?
The correct procedure for classifying products under HS 903020 involves a thorough examination of the instrument's primary function and capabilities. Importers and customs brokers must consult the official WCO HS Explanatory Notes and the specific tariff schedules of the importing country, such as the USITC HTS or the EU TARIC. Key considerations include whether the device's main purpose is to display and analyze electrical waveforms in real-time, and if it possesses the characteristic features of an oscilloscope or oscillograph.
How is the duty calculated for products under HS 903020?
A Rigol DS1054Z digital oscilloscope, declared at a customs value of $350 USD, would attract a US duty of $21.00. This is calculated using the Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate of 6.0% ad valorem, as published in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) for subheading 9030.20.40. The calculation is: 6.0% × $350 USD = $21.00 USD. This rate applies to goods imported from countries not covered by preferential trade agreements.
Which trade agreements reduce duties for HS 903020?
Several free trade agreements may reduce the applicable duty rate for HS 903020, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which can result in a duty rate of Free for eligible goods originating from Canada and Mexico. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) may also offer preferential rates for certain member countries. To claim these preferences, a valid USMCA Certificate of Origin or a CPTPP Certificate of Origin (e.g., Form CPTPP) is typically required, depending on the specific agreement and importing jurisdiction.
```Which HS Codes Are Related?
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FAQ
What are the typical import duty rates for oscilloscopes and oscillographs (HS 903020) into the United States?
Under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (USHTS), oscilloscopes and oscillographs classified under HS code 9030.20 are generally subject to a duty rate of Free. This is the Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate. Importers should always verify the current tariff schedule for any potential changes or specific product exclusions. For example, if an oscilloscope valued at $1,000 is imported, the duty would be $1,000 \times 0% = $0.
How is HS code 903020 defined, and what are the key classification criteria for oscilloscopes and oscillographs?
HS code 9030.20 covers 'Oscilloscopes and oscillographs'. The key classification criterion is the instrument's primary function: to display and analyze electrical signals over time, visually representing their waveform. This includes both analog and digital oscilloscopes. Instruments that primarily measure other electrical quantities (like multimeters) or function solely as signal generators would fall under different HS codes. The World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System Explanatory Notes provide further guidance on distinguishing these instruments.
What documentation is typically required when importing oscilloscopes and oscillographs under HS 903020?
When importing oscilloscopes and oscillographs (HS 903020), standard customs documentation is required. This includes a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading or air waybill. Depending on the importing country, a certificate of origin may be needed for preferential duty claims. It is also advisable to have product specifications or technical datasheets readily available to substantiate the HS classification, especially if requested by customs authorities. For the US, an Importer Security Filing (ISF) is also mandatory for ocean cargo.
Do trade agreements, such as USMCA, offer preferential duty rates for oscilloscopes (HS 903020) imported into the United States?
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and other free trade agreements (FTAs) may offer preferential duty rates, often Free, for goods originating from member countries. For HS code 9030.20, if the oscilloscopes are certified as originating from a USMCA country and meet all rules of origin requirements, they would likely qualify for duty-free entry into the US. Importers must obtain a valid Certificate of Origin from the exporter to claim these benefits. Always consult the specific text of the relevant trade agreement and the USHTS for definitive eligibility criteria.
How is the ad valorem duty calculated for oscilloscopes if a specific country applies a non-free rate to HS 903020?
Ad valorem duty is calculated as a percentage of the declared customs value of the imported goods. The formula is: Duty = Customs Value × Ad Valorem Duty Rate. For example, if HS code 9030.20 for oscilloscopes had an ad valorem duty rate of 4.5% in a particular country, and an importer declared a customs value of $5,000 for a shipment, the duty calculation would be: $5,000 \times 4.5% = $5,000 \times 0.045 = $225. Importers and customs brokers must ensure accurate valuation and apply the correct rate from the importing country's tariff schedule.