Tariff monitor · Electrical & Wiring

Batteries and Storage Cells: Statutory & Effective Tariff Rates

Statutory HTS duty rates for 20 batteries and storage cells tariff lines (MFN 2.5%–3.5%), from USITC. Effective rate May 2026: 17.08%; monthly history since 2023.

The short answer

  • The effective U.S. tariff on batteries and storage cells was 17.08% in May 2026, down from 19.35% a year earlier — calculated duties actually paid divided by customs value, from USITC data. The statutory MFN rate is 2.5%–3.5% across 20 HTS lines in the 2026 schedule. China is the largest source, holding 45.2% of 2025 imports.

Statutory rates from the schedule

  • Primary cells and rechargeable storage batteries — from backup power to the packs behind cordless tools and equipment. This family covers HTS headings 8506, 8507: 20 eight-digit rate lines with MFN (column 1, general) rates of 2.5%–3.5% in the 2026 schedule.
  • Chapter 99 flags on individual lines mark Section 301/232 overlay provisions (e.g. 9903.88.03) that apply on top of the MFN column.

What importers actually paid

  • Latest month on record (2026-05): 17.08% effective on $1.9B of imports, versus 19.35% in the same month a year earlier. The monthly archive holds 41 observations from 2023-01 through 2026-05.
  • In 2025, U.S. imports for consumption in this family totaled $27.1B in customs value and paid $4.3B in calculated duties: an effective tariff rate of 16.02%. The effective rate captures Section 301/232 overlays, exclusions, and special-program use that the statutory column cannot.
  • A year earlier the effective rate was 5.96%, so the duty burden rose 10.1 points.
  • Top source countries in 2025: China ($12.2B at 23.99%), South Korea ($3.9B at 7.89%), Japan ($3.6B at 12.15%), Mexico ($1.7B at 1.51%), Vietnam ($972.9M at 13.54%).

Representative rate lines

  • 8506.10.00: Manganese dioxide · MFN 2.7%
  • 8506.30.10.00: Having an external volume not exceeding 300 cm3 · MFN 2.7%
  • 8506.30.50.00: Other · MFN 2.7%
  • 8506.40.10: Having an external volume not exceeding 300 cm3 · MFN 2.7%
  • 8506.40.50.00: Other · MFN 2.7%
  • 8506.50.00: Lithium · MFN 2.7%
  • 8506.60.00: Air-zinc · MFN 2.7%
  • 8506.80.00: Other primary cells and primary batteries · MFN 2.7%

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the U.S. tariff rate on batteries and storage cells? Importers paid an effective rate of 17.08% in May 2026 (calculated duties ÷ customs value, USITC DataWeb). The statutory MFN rate is 2.5%–3.5%; Section 301/232 overlays and special programs explain the difference.
  • What is the statutory MFN duty rate for batteries and storage cells? 2.5%–3.5% across the family's 20 eight-digit HTS lines in the 2026 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (headings 8506, 8507).
  • Which countries supply the most batteries and storage cells to the U.S.? Top sources in 2025: China ($12.2B at 23.99%), South Korea ($3.9B at 7.89%), Japan ($3.6B at 12.15%). Sourcing is moderately concentrated: China holds 45.2% of imports.
  • How much batteries and storage cells does the U.S. import? $27.1B of customs value in 2025, paying $4.3B in calculated duties — an effective tariff of 16.02%.
  • Is the U.S. a net importer of batteries and storage cells? Yes — a net importer in 2025: $27.1B imported vs $8.0B exported (exports are 29% of imports).

About this data

  • Reference statistics derived from USITC published data. Not a customs ruling; verify rates with a licensed customs broker before relying on them.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.