Subheading · Chapter 85 · Heading 8544
8544.70: Insulated: optical fibre cables
Optical fibre cables
Official description Optical fibre cables
8544.70 is the HS subheading for optical fibre cables, under heading 8544 in chapter 85.
What you pay
Importing into UK
Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff
UK lines →- 8544 70 00 00 Optical fibre cables Free
- 8544 70 00 10 Single mode optical fibre cables, made up of one or more individually sheathed fibres, with protective casing, whether or not containing electric conductors; excluding cables in which all the optical fibres are individually fitted with operational connectors at one or both extremities and plastic insulated cables for submarine use containing a copper or aluminium conductor in which fibres are contained in metal module(s) Free
- Other Free
- 8544 70 00 91 Cables equal to or above 500 metres in length in which all the optical fibres are individually fitted with operational connectors at one or both extremities, excluding plastic insulated cables for submarine use containing a copper or aluminium conductor in which fibres are contained in metal module(s) Free
- 8544 70 00 99 Other Free
Additional duties and import rules
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Additional duties and charges 5
- Anti-dumping dutyDefinitive anti-dumping duty
- Applies to goods from
- China
- In force
- until 23 October 2028
- Legal act
- Taxation Notice: 2023/022
- Documents
- D008 Invoice with a signed declaration
- Tariff lines
- on 1 of 3 lines
Rates for named exporters (3)
Company Rate Non sampled, cooperating exporters/producers: Suzhou Furukawa Power Optic Cable Co.,Ltd Shanghai Wanbao Optical Technologies Co. Ltd Ningbo Geyida Cable Technology Co.,Ltd XDK Communication Equipment Huizhou Co., Ltd Jiangsu Fasten Optical Cable Co., Ltd Hengtong Optic-Electric co. Ltd ZheJiang JinYuan WanBao Optical Fiber Co. Ltd FibreHome Telecommunication Technologies Co Lt 8C30 23% with D008, otherwise 46.2% SDG Group: Shenzhen SDG Information Co. Ltd Shenzhen SDGI Optical Network Technologies Co. Ltd 8C31 23% with D008, otherwise 46.2% All other overseas exporters (residual amount) 8C32 46.2% - Countervailing dutyDefinitive countervailing duty
- Applies to goods from
- China
- In force
- until 23 October 2028
- Legal act
- Taxation Notice: 2023/023
- Documents
- D008 Invoice with a signed declaration
- Tariff lines
- on 1 of 3 lines
Rates for named exporters (3)
Company Rate Non sampled, cooperating exporters/producers: Suzhou Furukawa Power Optic Cable Co.,Ltd Shanghai Wanbao Optical Technologies Co. Ltd Ningbo Geyida Cable Technology Co.,Ltd XDK Communication Equipment Huizhou Co., Ltd Jiangsu Fasten Optical Cable Co., Ltd Hengtong Optic-Electric co. Ltd ZheJiang JinYuan WanBao Optical Fiber Co. Ltd FibreHome Telecommunication Technologies Co Lt 8C30 10.62% with D008, otherwise 11.79% SDG Group: Shenzhen SDG Information Co. Ltd Shenzhen SDGI Optical Network Technologies Co. Ltd 8C31 10.62% with D008, otherwise 11.79% All other overseas exporters (residual amount) 8C32 11.79% - Additional dutyAdditional duties 35%
- Applies to goods from
- Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- 2022 No. 376
- Documents
- 9008
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- 2020 No. 1431
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Duty suspensionAirworthiness tariff suspension Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- S.I. 2018/1249
- Documents
- C119 Authorised Release Certificate — EASA Form 1 (Appendix I to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012), or equivalent certificate
Import requirements 3
- Prohibition or restrictionImport prohibition
- Applies to goods from
- North Korea
- Legal act
- S.I. 2019/411
- Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
- Applies to goods from
- Belarus, Russia, Syria, Ukraine
- Legal act
- 2022 No. 748, S.I. 2019/792, S.I. 2022/395
- Documents
- 9024
- 9032
- 9025
- 9009
- 9010
- 9017
- Import controlImport control on restricted goods and technologies
- Applies to goods from
- Iran, Libya, North Korea, Russia
- Legal act
- S.I. 2019/461, S.I. 2019/411, 2020 No. 1665, S.I. 2019/855
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | Free |
| DCTS Comprehensive | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 moreAfghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia | Free |
| European Union (including code " EU") | Free | |
| DCTS Enhanced | Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 moreAlgeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu | Free |
| CARIFORUM | Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 moreAntigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago | Free |
| OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) | Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 moreAnguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands | Free |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | Free |
| SADC EPA | Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia | Free |
| Eastern and Southern Africa States | Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe | Free |
| CPTPP | Brunei, Malaysia | Free |
| UK–Andorra agreement | Andorra | Free |
| UK–Albania agreement | Albania | Free |
| UK–Australia agreement | Australia | Free |
| UK–Canada agreement | Canada | Free |
| UK–Switzerland agreement | Switzerland | Free |
| UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement | Côte d’Ivoire | Free |
| UK–Chile agreement | Chile | Free |
| UK–Cameroon agreement | Cameroon | Free |
| UK–Colombia agreement | Colombia | Free |
| UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement | Ceuta & Melilla | Free |
| UK–Ecuador agreement | Ecuador | Free |
| UK–Egypt agreement | Egypt | Free |
| UK–Fiji agreement | Fiji | Free |
| UK–Faroe Islands agreement | Faroe Islands | Free |
| UK–Georgia agreement | Georgia | Free |
| UK–Ghana agreement | Ghana | Free |
| DCTS Standard | Indonesia | Free |
| UK–Israel agreement | Israel | Free |
| UK–India agreement | India | Free |
| UK–Iceland agreement | Iceland | Free |
| UK–Jordan agreement | Jordan | Free |
| UK–Japan agreement | Japan | Free |
| UK–Kenya agreement | Kenya | Free |
| UK–South Korea agreement | South Korea | Free |
| UK–Lebanon agreement | Lebanon | Free |
| UK–Liechtenstein agreement | Liechtenstein | Free |
| UK–Morocco agreement | Morocco | Free |
| UK–Moldova agreement | Moldova | Free |
| UK–North Macedonia agreement | North Macedonia | Free |
| UK–Mexico agreement | Mexico | Free |
| UK–Norway agreement | Norway | Free |
| UK–New Zealand agreement | New Zealand | Free |
| UK–Peru agreement | Peru | Free |
| UK–Papua New Guinea agreement | Papua New Guinea | Free |
| UK–Palestinian Territories agreement | Palestinian Territories | Free |
| UK–Serbia agreement | Serbia | Free |
| UK–Solomon Islands agreement | Solomon Islands | Free |
| UK–Singapore agreement | Singapore | Free |
| UK–San Marino agreement | San Marino | Free |
| UK–Tunisia agreement | Tunisia | Free |
| UK–Türkiye agreement | Türkiye | Free |
| UK–Ukraine agreement | Ukraine | Free |
| UK–Vietnam agreement | Vietnam | Free |
| UK–Samoa agreement | Samoa | Free |
| UK–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| UK–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
UK: imports by month
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 China | £89m | 25% | +12.3% |
 Poland | £46.2m | 13% | -40.9% |
 United States | £37.9m | 10.6% | +6.1% |
 Czechia | £23.6m | 6.6% | +184.9% |
 India | £22.5m | 6.3% | -29.1% |
 Morocco | £13.5m | 3.8% | -21.6% |
 Germany | £10.9m | 3.1% | -35.7% |
 Vietnam | £9m | 2.5% | +29.8% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
EU Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Türkiye Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line USA Free General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Canada Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Mexico 35% Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Brazil Free – 20% Third-country duty 4 tariff lines · average 15% 
Argentina Free – 12.6% Third-country duty 16 tariff lines · average 11.8% 
Peru Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
New Zealand Free Third-country duty 2 tariff lines 
Japan Free Third-country duty 2 tariff lines 
Taiwan Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
GCC Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Switzerland Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Norway Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
North Macedonia Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Nigeria 5% Third-country duty 1 tariff line World trade in 2024
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$443kUS$443k+US$22m+US$98m+> US$298m
Exports: 163
- China: US$3bn
- Mexico: US$2bn
- United States: US$1bn
- Poland: US$344m
- Germany: US$298m
- Vietnam: US$292m
- Japan: US$253m
- France: US$220m
- India: US$186m
- United Kingdom: US$186m
- Netherlands: US$148m
- Spain: US$133m
- Romania: US$130m
- Taiwan: US$113m
- Morocco: US$111m
- Norway: US$98m
- Czechia: US$93m
- South Korea: US$88m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$79m
- Türkiye: US$71m
- Switzerland: US$67m
- Sweden: US$66m
- Indonesia: US$62m
- Thailand: US$61m
- Italy: US$55m
- Slovakia: US$48m
- Greece: US$48m
- Belgium: US$37m
- Singapore: US$36m
- Brazil: US$36m
- Ireland: US$35m
- Denmark: US$32m
- Tunisia: US$31m
- Canada: US$31m
- Austria: US$30m
- Hungary: US$23m
- South Africa: US$23m
- Finland: US$23m
- Cambodia: US$23m
- Costa Rica: US$22m
- Philippines: US$22m
- Israel: US$21m
- Portugal: US$18m
- Malaysia: US$17m
- Russia: US$15m
- Bulgaria: US$14m
- United Arab Emirates: US$14m
- Latvia: US$12m
- Kazakhstan: US$9m
- Estonia: US$9m
- Slovenia: US$9m
- Ecuador: US$8m
- Australia: US$7m
- Ukraine: US$7m
- Belarus: US$6m
- Oman: US$6m
- Saudi Arabia: US$4m
- Chile: US$4m
- Serbia: US$4m
- Myanmar (Burma): US$3m
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$5mUS$5m+US$27m+US$83m+> US$286m
Imports: 216
- United States: US$2bn
- Mexico: US$596m
- United Kingdom: US$449m
- Germany: US$424m
- Canada: US$301m
- France: US$286m
- Netherlands: US$286m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$227m
- Philippines: US$213m
- Brazil: US$165m
- Saudi Arabia: US$162m
- Australia: US$162m
- Taiwan: US$139m
- China: US$128m
- Indonesia: US$126m
- Thailand: US$125m
- Singapore: US$119m
- Spain: US$116m
- Poland: US$103m
- Japan: US$99m
- Malaysia: US$87m
- Italy: US$83m
- United Arab Emirates: US$83m
- Norway: US$82m
- Belgium: US$79m
- Ireland: US$78m
- Peru: US$76m
- Switzerland: US$75m
- Argentina: US$69m
- South Korea: US$69m
- Vietnam: US$67m
- Colombia: US$66m
- Denmark: US$55m
- Türkiye: US$54m
- Sweden: US$52m
- Israel: US$50m
- Chile: US$46m
- Portugal: US$45m
- Finland: US$45m
- Czechia: US$43m
- Austria: US$43m
- India: US$39m
- Egypt: US$39m
- Curaçao: US$37m
- Fiji: US$36m
- Costa Rica: US$35m
- Hungary: US$33m
- Tunisia: US$32m
- Azerbaijan: US$30m
- Greece: US$30m
- El Salvador: US$29m
- South Africa: US$28m
- Morocco: US$28m
- Iraq: US$27m
- Russia: US$26m
- Romania: US$26m
- Cambodia: US$25m
- Ecuador: US$22m
- Venezuela: US$22m
- Qatar: US$20m
Top exporters
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | US$3bn | 27.2% |
| 2 | Mexico | US$2bn | 17.9% |
| 3 | United States | US$1bn | 13% |
| 4 | Poland | US$344m | 3.7% |
| 5 | Germany | US$298m | 3.2% |
| 6 | Vietnam | US$292m | 3.2% |
| 7 | Japan | US$253m | 2.7% |
| 8 |  France | US$220m | 2.4% |
| 9 | India | US$186m | 2% |
| 10 | United Kingdom | US$186m | 2% |
Top importers
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | US$2bn | 26.1% |
| 2 | Mexico | US$596m | 6.5% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | US$449m | 4.9% |
| 4 | Germany | US$424m | 4.6% |
| 5 | Canada | US$301m | 3.3% |
| 6 | France | US$286m | 3.1% |
| 7 |  Netherlands | US$286m | 3.1% |
| 8 |  Hong Kong SAR China | US$227m | 2.5% |
| 9 |  Philippines | US$213m | 2.3% |
| 10 | Brazil | US$165m | 1.8% |
Import duty on this product around the world 165
The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty each country applies to goods of this HS subheading: the average over its national tariff lines, with the lowest and highest line where they differ. Goods from countries with a trade agreement often pay less.
- 3%median duty
- 78number of duty-free countries (MFN)
- 40%highest: Sudan, Cuba, Ethiopia
165
| Importing country | MFN duty | lines from – to | data year |
|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan | 10% | 2018 · HS 2012 | |
 Albania | 0% | 2023 | |
 Algeria | 15% | 2023 | |
 Angola | 2% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Anguilla | 20% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Antigua & Barbuda | 5% | 2021 · HS 2007 | |
| Argentina | 11% | 2% – 14% | 2023 · HS 2017 |
 Armenia | 0% | 2023 | |
 Aruba | 6% | 2021 · HS 2012 | |
 Australia | 0% | 2023 | |
 Azerbaijan | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Bahamas | 0% | 2022 | |
 Bahrain | 0% | 2023 | |
 Bangladesh | 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Barbados | 5% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Belarus | 0% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Belize | 0% | 2023 | |
 Benin | 5% | 2023 | |
 Bermuda | 25% | 2023 | |
 Bhutan | 10% | 2022 | |
 Bolivia | 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Bosnia & Herzegovina | 5% | 2022 | |
 Botswana | 15% | 2023 | |
| Brazil | 11% | 2% – 14% | 2023 · HS 2017 |
 Brunei | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Burkina Faso | 5% | 2023 | |
 Burundi | 0% | 2023 | |
 Cambodia | 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Cameroon | 10% | 2023 | |
| Canada | 0% | 2023 | |
 Cape Verde | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Cayman Islands | 22% | 2021 · HS 2002 | |
 Central African Republic | 10% | 2023 | |
 Chad | 10% | 2023 | |
 Chile | 6% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
| China | 0% | 2023 | |
 Colombia | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Comoros | 20% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Congo - Brazzaville | 10% | 2023 | |
 Cook Islands | 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Costa Rica | 0% | 2023 | |
 Côte d’Ivoire | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Cuba | 30% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Dominica | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Dominican Republic | 0% | 2023 | |
 Ecuador | 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Egypt | 0% | 2019 · HS 2017 | |
 El Salvador | 0% | 2022 | |
 Equatorial Guinea | 10% | 2023 | |
 Eswatini | 15% | 2023 | |
 Ethiopia | 30% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
| European Union (27 countries) | 0% | 2023 | |
 Fiji | 0% | 2023 | |
 French Polynesia | 6% | 2023 | |
 Gabon | 10% | 2023 | |
 Gambia | 5% | 2023 | |
 Georgia | 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Ghana | 5% | 2023 | |
 Gibraltar | 12% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Grenada | 5% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
 Guatemala | 0% | 2023 | |
 Guinea | 5% | 2023 | |
 Guinea-Bissau | 5% | 2023 | |
 Guyana | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Haiti | 5% | 2020 · HS 2017 | |
 Honduras | 0% | 2023 | |
| Hong Kong SAR China | 0% | 2023 | |
 Iceland | 0% | 2023 | |
| India | 0% | 2023 | |
 Indonesia | 0% | 2023 | |
 Iran | 23% | 20% – 26% | 2020 · HS 2017 |
 Israel | 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | |
 Jamaica | 0% | 2023 | |
| Japan | 0% | 2023 | |
 Jordan | 0% | 2023 | |
 Kazakhstan | 0% | 2023 | |
 Kenya | 0% | 2023 | |
 Kiribati | 0% | 2023 · HS 2002 | |
 Kuwait | 0% | 2023 | |
 Kyrgyzstan | 0% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Laos | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Lebanon | 15% | 2020 · HS 2017 | |
 Lesotho | 15% | 2023 | |
 Liberia | 5% | 2023 | |
 Libya | 5% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Liechtenstein | 0% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Macao SAR China | 0% | 2023 | |
 Madagascar | 5% | 2023 | |
 Malawi | 0% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Malaysia | 0% | 2023 | |
 Maldives | 20% | 2023 | |
 Mali | 5% | 2023 | |
 Mauritania | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Mauritius | 0% | 2023 | |
| Mexico | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Micronesia | 4% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Moldova | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Mongolia | 5% | 2023 | |
 Montserrat | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
| Morocco | 2.5% | 2023 | |
 Mozambique | 7.5% | 2023 | |
 Myanmar (Burma) | 3% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Namibia | 15% | 2023 | |
 Nauru | 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Nepal | 0% | 2023 | |
| New Zealand | 0% | 2023 | |
 Nicaragua | 0% | 2023 | |
 Niger | 5% | 2023 | |
| Nigeria | 5% | 2023 | |
| North Macedonia | 0% | 2023 | |
| Norway | 0% | 2023 | |
 Oman | 0% | 2023 | |
 Pakistan | 20% | 2023 | |
 Palau | 3% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
 Palestinian Territories | 0% | 2017 · HS 2017 | |
 Panama | 0% | 2023 | |
 Papua New Guinea | 0% | 2023 | |
 Paraguay | 2% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
| Peru | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
| Philippines | 0% | 2023 | |
 Qatar | 0% | 2023 | |
 Russia | 0% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Rwanda | 0% | 2023 | |
 Samoa | 8% | 2020 · HS 2017 | |
 São Tomé & Príncipe | 10% | 2019 · HS 2017 | |
 Saudi Arabia | 0% | 2023 | |
 Senegal | 5% | 2023 | |
 Seychelles | 0% | 2023 | |
 Sierra Leone | 5% | 2023 | |
 Singapore | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Solomon Islands | 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Somalia | 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 South Africa | 15% | 2023 | |
 South Korea | 0% | 2023 | |
 Sri Lanka | 0% | 2023 | |
 St Kitts & Nevis | 5% | 2023 | |
 St Lucia | 0% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
 St Pierre & Miquelon | 5% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 St Vincent & the Grenadines | 5% | 2023 | |
 Sudan | 40% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Suriname | 5% | 2023 · HS 2007 | |
| Switzerland | 0% | 2023 | |
 Syria | 5% | 2020 · HS 2012 | |
 Tajikistan | 0% | 2021 · HS 2012 | |
 Tanzania | 0% | 2023 | |
 Thailand | 0% | 2023 | |
 Togo | 5% | 2023 | |
 Tonga | 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Trinidad & Tobago | 0% | 2023 · HS 2012 | |
| Türkiye | 0% | 2023 | |
 Tuvalu | 0% | 2017 · HS 2017 | |
 Uganda | 0% | 2023 | |
 Ukraine | 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 United Arab Emirates | 0% | 2023 | |
| United Kingdom | 0% | 2023 | |
| United States | 0% | 2023 | |
 Uruguay | 2% | 2023 · HS 2017 | |
 Uzbekistan | 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | |
 Vanuatu | 5% | 2023 | |
 Venezuela | 11% | 2% – 14% | 2023 · HS 2017 |
| Vietnam | 0% | 2023 | |
 Wallis & Futuna | 6% | 2021 · HS 2012 | |
 Yemen | 5% | 2017 · HS 2017 | |
 Zambia | 25% | 2023 | |
 Zimbabwe | 0% | 2023 |
Tariff data years 2017–2023; rates may have changed since. · UNCTAD TRAINS, accessed via WITS (World Bank)
Classifications and correspondences
Where this HS subheading sits in the United Nations' statistical classifications, and which codes it had in earlier editions of the Harmonized System.
- SITC Rev. 4
- 77318 Optical fibre cables
- End use (BEC Rev. 5)
- Intermediate goods · BEC 311220
- CPC 2.1 product
- 46360 Optical fibre cables made up of individually sheathed fibres
- ISIC Rev. 4 activity
- 2731 Manufacture of fibre optic cables
Earlier HS editions
| HS | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 8544.70 | changed |
| 2012 | 8544.70 | changed |
| 2007 | 8544.70 | changed |
| 2002 | 8544.70 | changed |
| 1996 | 8544.70 | changed |
| 1992 | 8544.70 | changed |
Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
Binding rulings for similar goods 15
Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
- N362917 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a pre-install cable set from the Netherlands
- N357655 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification, country of origin, and eligibility of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA) of fiber optic cables
- N356840 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification and eligibility of the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (UKFTA) of fiber optic cables
- N344044 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of an optical fiber cable from Japan
- H337046 U.S. CBP
Application for Further Review of Protest 5501-23-106826; Country of Origin and Tariff Classification of Fiber Optic Cables; Section 301 Measures
- N342021 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a hybrid underwater cable from Greece
- 600015156 HMRC
Optical fibre cables used in telecommunications for the transmission of data and signals, intended for standard outdoor installation or installation in ducts. The goods are made of individually sheathed optical fibres, including conventional single-mode optical fibres and hollow-core optical…
- 600015057 HMRC
Optical fibre cables used in telecommunications for the transmission of data and signals, based on the propagation of optical signals within optical fibres rather than the transmission of electrical signals through metallic conductors. The goods are made of individually sheathed optical fibres,…
- 600012861 HMRC
Single Mode fibre optic cables. A Single Mode cable made from Bare Fibres, Aramid Yarn, and DCA pellets. Made by firstly preheating the optical fibres, coating, and colouring to protect the bare fibres and ensure their mechanical and physical properties. Then, a layer of protective material such…
15 rulings in total for this code
The UK Global Tariff divides subheading 8544.70 into 3 tariff lines; the duty is duty-free.
Subheading 8544.70 is a single line in the EU Combined Nomenclature, where the duty is duty-free.
174 countries pay no duty in the UK thanks to trade agreements and preference schemes such as DCTS Comprehensive and European Union, against a standard rate of Free.
In the UK, additional duty of 35% applies on top of the customs duty to goods from Belarus and Russia.
Imports of optical fibre cables into the UK came to £355.7m between September 2025 and August 2026 (down 5% on the year before); China supplied 25%, followed by Poland.
In 2024, countries exported optical fibre cables worth US$9bn (−1.6% year on year).
The largest exporter was China (US$3bn), followed by Mexico.
Products classified here
Questions and answers
What is the HS code for insulated: optical fibre cables?
Insulated: optical fibre cables fall under HS subheading 8544.70, part of heading 8544, in section XVI of the Harmonized System.
What is the import duty on insulated: optical fibre cables in the UK?
Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 8544.70 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
What is the import duty on insulated: optical fibre cables in the EU?
Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 8544.70 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which country exports the most insulated: optical fibre cables?
China, with US$3bn in 2024 (27.2% of world exports).
Which countries can export optical fibre cables to the UK duty-free?
174 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of Free applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.
Is there anti-dumping duty on optical fibre cables?
The UK charges additional duty of 35% on goods from Belarus and Russia. Lower rates apply to the named exporters listed in the measure.
Where does the UK import optical fibre cables from?
In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were China (25%), Poland (13%) and United States (11%), out of total imports of £355.7m.
Typical products
Everyday names, not part of the legal text.