Today, White House exempted smartphones, computers and other electronics from its so-called reciprocal tariffs, representing a reprieve for global technology manufacturers including Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp. It will be interesting to see if audio gear is still taxed while phones and chips are not? Perhaps, shippers will classify audio gear as chips? Who knows what's next. Policy changes every day. I call it musical chairs tax. Maybe you get a bill with shipping or maybe not. 
Exemptions:
Executive Order 14257, as amended, pursuant to Section 3(b)(iv) of that Order, effective for merchandise entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01AM Eastern Daylight Time on April 5, 2025:
For products classified in the above headings and subheadings, importers should report the secondary classification under heading 9903.01.32 to declare the exception from the reciprocal tariff provided in heading 9903.01.25, or in headings 9903.01.43 – 9903.01.62 or 9903.01.64 – 9903.01.76 on April 9, 2025, or in heading 9903.01.63 since April 9, 2025.
Exemptions:
Executive Order 14257, as amended, pursuant to Section 3(b)(iv) of that Order, effective for merchandise entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01AM Eastern Daylight Time on April 5, 2025:
| Code | Category Description |
|---|---|
| 8471 | Automatic data processing machines and units thereof; magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data. |
| 8473.30 | Parts and accessories suitable for use with machines under heading 8471, NESOI (Not Elsewhere Specified or Included). |
| 8486 | Machines and apparatus for the manufacture of semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits. |
| 8517.13.00 | Telephone sets, including smartphones; other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice or data. |
| 8517.62.00 | Machines for reception, conversion, transmission, or regeneration of voice, images, or other data (e.g., modems, routers). |
| 8523.51.00 | Solid-state non-volatile storage devices (e.g., flash drives, SSDs). |
| 8524 | Media for recording sound or phenomena (e.g., discs, tapes). |
| 8528.52.00 | Monitors capable of direct connection to machines under heading 8471. |
| 8541.10.00 | Diodes (excluding photosensitive diodes). |
| 8541.21.00 | Transistors (excluding photosensitive transistors), with a dissipation rate of less than 1 watt. |
| 8541.29.00 | Other transistors. |
| 8541.30.00 | Thyristors, diacs, and triacs (semiconductor devices). |
| 8541.49.xx | Photosensitive semiconductor devices (e.g., solar cells), parts thereof. |
| 8541.51.00 | Semiconductor devices designed for light-emitting applications (e.g., LEDs). |
| 8541.59.00 | Other semiconductor devices not elsewhere classified. |
| 8541.90.00 | Parts of semiconductor devices and electronic integrated circuits. |
| 8542 | Electronic integrated circuits (e.g., microprocessors, memory chips). |
For products classified in the above headings and subheadings, importers should report the secondary classification under heading 9903.01.32 to declare the exception from the reciprocal tariff provided in heading 9903.01.25, or in headings 9903.01.43 – 9903.01.62 or 9903.01.64 – 9903.01.76 on April 9, 2025, or in heading 9903.01.63 since April 9, 2025.
Relevant HS Codes for Audio Gear
- Speakers:
- HS Code 8518.21.00: Single loudspeakers mounted in their enclosures.
- HS Code 8518.22.00: Multiple loudspeakers mounted in the same enclosure.
- HS Code 8518.29: Other loudspeakers, including those without enclosures.
- Amplifiers:
- HS Code 8518.40: Audio-frequency electric amplifiers.
- HS Code 8518.50: Electric sound amplifier sets.
- Parts of Audio Equipment:
- HS Code 8518.90: Parts of microphones, loudspeakers, headphones, earphones, audio-frequency electric amplifiers, or electric sound amplifier sets.
- General Audio Equipment:
- Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery and equipment, including sound recording and reproducing apparatus, which may encompass DACs and AVRs depending on their specific functions and configurations.
Categorization Notes
- DACs and AVRs may fall under broader categories like electrical machines or apparatus used for sound recording and reproduction if they are not explicitly mentioned under these codes.
- Amplifiers are clearly categorized under 8518.40 and 8518.50, while speakers are covered under various subheadings of 8518, depending on their type and configuration.
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