HS Code Category

HS Code Candidates for HS Code for USB Cables — Common Candidates

Use this page to prepare candidate HS headings, product facts, material and function variants, invoice descriptions, ecommerce catalog fields, and risk flags before official review.

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Answer summary

Product facts to verify

Main material and fiber or chemical composition
Construction: knitted, woven, molded, assembled
Function and intended use
Whether it includes electronics, battery, magnets, leather, or textile
Country of origin and destination market

Use this tool

HS Code Finder Commercial Invoice CSV Catalog Checker

Source note

Candidates are preparation aids only. Verify final code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or the destination tariff database before filing.

Last reviewed

2026-07-07

Candidate headings table

Review candidates

The table below lists candidate HS headings for hs code for usb cables — common candidates. Each row is a starting point, not a final classification; verify in the destination tariff database before filing.

Code	Heading	Use when
`8544.42`	Insulated wire, cable with connectors, used for telecommunications	Electric conductors fitted with connectors, commonly used for data or power transfer in telecom and consumer electronics. The primary candidate for USB cables.
`8544.42.20`	Electric conductors fitted with connectors, for data and power	USB data sync cables that transmit data and power. Most USB-C and Lightning cables fall under this subheading in the US HTS.
`8544.42.90`	Other electric conductors fitted with connectors	Power-only USB cables or specialty cables with connectors that are not primarily used for data transfer. Verify the specific data/power use case.
`8536.69`	Connectors, plugs, and sockets	Loose connectors, plugs, or sockets shipped without cable. A USB cable is not a connector; verify the actual product is the cable assembly.

National extensions after the 6-digit heading vary by destination market. Verify the full national code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or UK Trade Tariff before filing.

Decision tree

How to classify hs code for usb cables — common candidates

Step 1: Identify the cable type

USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, Micro-USB, or extension cable.

Step 2: Check data and power support

Data + power → 8544.42.20. Power only → 8544.42.90.

Step 3: Confirm connectors on both ends

If both ends have connectors → 8544.42. If only one end → 8544.42 with component review.

Step 4: Check origin and Section 301

For China origin, verify Section 301 rate on 8544 products.

Step 5: Document on the invoice

Connector type + length + material + data/power support.

Material variants

How material changes the code

Material	Typical heading	Notes
PVC jacket with copper conductors	8544.42	Most common USB cable construction; standard charging and data cable.
TPE jacket with copper conductors	8544.42	Thermoplastic elastomer jackets; common in USB-C cables.
Braided nylon jacket with copper conductors	8544.42	Braided cables fall under the same heading; describe the material on the invoice.
Magnetic USB cable (detachable tip)	8544.42	Magnetic cables fall under the same heading; describe the magnetic connector and detachable tips.

Function and use-case variants

How function changes the code

Function	Typical heading	Notes
USB-C charging and data cable	8544.42.20	Modern USB-C cables typically support both data and power; 8544.42.20 is the primary candidate.
USB-A to Lightning cable	8544.42.20	Apple MFi cables fall under this heading; describe the MFi certification on the invoice.
USB extension cable	8544.42	Extension cables with male and female connectors fall under the same heading.
USB data-only cable	8544.42.20	Cables designed for data only (no charging) still fall under 8544.42; verify with supplier spec.
USB cable bundled with charger	8544.42 + 8504.40	When shipped as a set with a wall charger, GRI 1 or 3(b) may apply; the classification depends on the bundle facts.

Risk flags

Source-check required

Flag	Impact on classification	Where to verify
China origin
Apple MFi licensing
Data + power vs power-only
Bundled with charger or device

Risk flags signal the need for official review before the candidate code is used on customs documents.

Invoice description examples

Strong descriptions

Strong invoice descriptions include material, function, product type, and key components (battery, electronics, magnet, leather, textile). Avoid generic words such as gift, sample, accessory, or product. The descriptions below are examples only, not final classifications.

USB-A to USB-C cable, 1 meter, PVC jacket, supports data and charging
USB-C to USB-C cable, 1 meter, braided nylon jacket, 100W charging
USB-A to Lightning cable, 1 meter, MFi certified, supports data and charging
USB extension cable, USB-A male to USB-A female, 2 meter
Magnetic USB cable, USB-A to detachable USB-C/Lightning/Micro-USB tips

Use these descriptions on the commercial invoice line item, with the candidate HS code and country of origin declared per line.

Ecommerce catalog fields

Shopify, WooCommerce, and CSV fields to check

Before labels and invoices are generated, prepare these fields in your ecommerce catalog. The CSV Catalog Checker scans Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, or custom CSV exports for missing customs fields locally in your browser.

Field	Why it matters
HS code candidate	8544.42 for USB cables fitted with connectors.
Connector type	USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, or Micro-USB drives the subheading and description.
Cable length	Required for customs description; affects freight and packaging.
Data and power support	Drives the subheading: 8544.42.20 for data + power, 8544.42.90 for power only.
Jacket material	PVC, TPE, braided nylon should be described on the invoice.
MFi certification	For Lightning cables, MFi licensing should be documented.
Country of origin	Drives Section 301 review for China-origin cables.

Pair this with the Commercial Invoice Generator, the HS Code Finder, and the CSV Catalog Checker.

Worked example

Ecommerce seller importing USB-C cables from China to the US

Scenario: A Shopify seller imports 5,000 USB-C to USB-C cables from China. The product specs: 1 meter length, braided nylon jacket, supports 100W charging and USB 3.1 data transfer, USB-IF certified.

Step 1: identify product facts. Product type: USB cable. Connector type: USB-C to USB-C. Length: 1 meter. Material: braided nylon jacket. Function: data and power transfer.
Step 2: select the candidate family. A USB cable with connectors on both ends falls under 8544.42. Data + power support points to 8544.42.20.
Step 3: confirm origin and additional tariff. Origin: CN (China). Section 301 additional tariffs may apply on 8544 products.
Step 4: write the invoice description. Use "USB-C to USB-C cable, 1 meter, braided nylon jacket, 100W charging, USB 3.1 data."
Step 5: catalog fields. HS code = 8544.42.20, COO = CN, connector = USB-C, length = 1m, material = braided nylon.

The candidate is preparation aid only. Verify the full national extension, Section 301 rate, and USB-IF certification in the destination tariff before filing.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Classifying USB cables as connectors (8536.69) instead of insulated wire with connectors (8544.42).
Ignoring data vs power-only distinction for subheading review.
Skipping the Section 301 check for China-origin cables.
Using brand name or retail name as the customs description instead of connector type and material.
Treating a cable bundled with a charger as a single unit without applying GRI rules.

Related Tools

Continue the workflow

Editorial

About this category page

Written by the TariffCatalog Editorial Team. Maintained by Ryan Cole and reviewed for candidate-only customs-data workflow clarity.

This page follows TariffCatalog's methodology for candidate-only classification, estimate-only calculators, and document draft workflows. Candidates are preparation aids, not binding classifications.

Methodology Sources Report an error

Maintainer

Reviewed by Ryan Cole

Ryan Cole maintains TariffCatalog from the perspective of a long-time ecommerce operator with 15+ years of experience in product catalog, international shipping, and pre-shipment data workflows. This page is reviewed for candidate-only HS code preparation, source-check clarity, and estimate-only or candidate-only wording.

TariffCatalog is a preparation aid, not a customs broker, legal, tax, or freight-forwarding service. Verify final classifications, rates, documents, and filing treatment with official sources or qualified professionals.

Last reviewed: July 2026 · Maintainer entity: Ryan Cole · Source policy: verified against official customs and tariff sources

Official Source Note

Check final codes

USITC HTS

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

CBP

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

EU TARIC

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

UK Trade Tariff

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

FAQ

Common questions

What is the HS code for USB cables?

USB cables with connectors on both ends are classified under heading 8544.42 (insulated wire, cable with connectors). The specific subheading depends on whether the cable supports data, power, or both.

What is the HS code for USB-C cables?

USB-C to USB-C cables and USB-A to USB-C cables are classified under 8544.42.20 (electric conductors fitted with connectors, for data and power) in the US HTS. Verify the full national code in the destination tariff database.

What is the HS code for Lightning cables?

Apple MFi Lightning cables are classified under the same heading 8544.42.20. MFi certification is a licensing requirement, not a customs classification factor, but should be documented on the invoice.

What is the difference between 8544.42.20 and 8544.42.90?

8544.42.20 covers electric conductors fitted with connectors used for data and power. 8544.42.90 covers other electric conductors fitted with connectors, including power-only cables. Verify the cable spec with the supplier.

Are USB cables subject to Section 301 tariffs from China?

Yes. Section 301 additional tariffs may apply to USB cables under heading 8544 from China. Check the USTR Section 301 list for the current rate on 8544 products.

How do I describe a USB cable on the commercial invoice?

Write connector type + length + jacket material + data/power support. For example: "USB-A to USB-C cable, 1 meter, PVC jacket, supports data and charging."

What if the cable is bundled with a charger?

When a USB cable is bundled with a wall charger, GRI 1 or 3(b) may apply. The classification depends on whether the cable is essential to the charger or a separate accessory. Document the bundle facts and verify in the destination tariff.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-07

Disclaimer

TariffCatalog provides candidate HS code suggestions, estimate-only calculators, and document drafts. Verify final classifications, duty rates, document requirements, and filing obligations with official sources, carriers, brokers, or destination authorities before filing or shipping.

Candidate headings on this page are preparation aids, not binding classifications. Final classification depends on exact product facts and the destination tariff rules in effect on the entry date.