HTS heading 9015 · Chapter 90, Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments
US imports of surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological
$585 million of imports for consumption entered the US under HTS 9015 in March–July 2026 from 45 origin countries, 19.3% of it from Canada; Census calculated duty came to $9.49 per $100 of value.
Surveying (including photogrammetrical surveying), hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances, excluding compasses; rangefinders; parts and accessories thereof
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, USA Trade Online / International Trade API, imports for consumption, March–July 2026; effective duty = calculated duty ÷ dutiable value.
US imports under HTS 9015 at a glance
During March–July 2026, the sample records $585 million of imports for consumption under HTS heading 9015: Surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological. This heading has trade from 45 of the 55 origin countries covered by the extract, across 19 ten-digit tariff lines. It is not a total for all U.S. origins.
Heading 9015 belongs to chapter 90, Optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments. The heading groups products for analysis; it does not establish a common duty rate for every product in the chapter.
Where HTS 9015 imports come from
Import value and calculated duty by origin country
| Origin | Import value | Share | Dutiable share | Effective duty | Duty per $100 | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $113 million | 19.3% | 8.3% | 10.18% | $0.85 | |
| Germany | $79.7 million | 13.6% | 69.8% | 9.83% | $6.86 | |
| China | $60.8 million | 10.4% | 99.7% | 34.76% | $34.66 | Shipping from China |
| United Kingdom | $53.8 million | 9.2% | 83.3% | 10.01% | $8.34 | |
| Thailand | $34.9 million | 6% | 98.4% | 11.80% | $11.61 | Shipping from Thailand |
| Japan | $33.2 million | 5.7% | 57.5% | 11.26% | $6.48 | |
| Switzerland | $25.7 million | 4.4% | 95.4% | 9.92% | $9.46 | |
| Mexico | $24.2 million | 4.1% | 5.1% | 9.99% | $0.51 | |
| Vietnam | $21.5 million | 3.7% | 89.4% | 10.94% | $9.78 | Shipping from Vietnam |
| Austria | $20.3 million | 3.5% | 76.6% | 10.01% | $7.67 | |
| Sweden | $18.9 million | 3.2% | 97.3% | 10.02% | $9.76 | |
| Singapore | $12.4 million | 2.1% | 98.4% | 10.08% | $9.92 | |
| France | $12.1 million | 2.1% | 61.1% | 10.02% | $6.12 | |
| Philippines | $8.6 million | 1.5% | 98.6% | 10.98% | $10.83 | |
| Finland | $7.8 million | 1.3% | 87.6% | 10.01% | $8.77 |
Origin countries for HTS 9015
The largest displayed origins by import value are Canada: $113 million (19.3%), Germany: $79.7 million (13.6%), and China: $60.8 million (10.4%). Shares use the heading's total import value within this sample as their denominator.
Origin shares describe the trade observed during this period. They do not establish supplier availability, product substitutability, transport mode or eligibility for a trade preference. Those questions require product and shipment details.
Calculated duty and its two denominators
For this heading in the 55-origin sample, Census reports $55.5 million of calculated duty against $585 million of imports for consumption during March–July 2026. Dutiable value is 66.5% of that import value. Calculated duty divided by dutiable value gives 14.3%; divided by all import value and multiplied by 100, it gives $9.49 per $100.
These are value-weighted ratios of aggregate amounts, not averages across individual importers or shipment bills. Census calculated duty may differ from amounts actually paid. The share outside the dutiable base does not identify which preference or other provision applied.
Among the displayed origins with at least 2% of this heading's sample import value, calculated duty per $100 ranges from $0.51 (Mexico) to $34.66 (China). Each origin has its own mix of products and entry circumstances. This comparison does not hold those factors constant and cannot predict savings from switching the origin of a purchase order.
The 10-digit tariff lines inside HTS 9015
| HTS code | Description | Import value | Share | Duty per $100 | Largest origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9015.10.40.00 | — | $125 million | 21.3% | $11.16 | Germany |
| 9015.80.80.80 | Other | $95.5 million | 16.3% | $6.51 | Canada |
| 9015.80.20.00 | — | $79.3 million | 13.6% | $16.70 | China |
| 9015.80.80.40 | Geophysical instruments and appliances | $56.0 million | 9.6% | $5.27 | Canada |
| 9015.90.01.60 | Of other geophysical instruments and appliances | $45.2 million | 7.7% | $7.21 | Canada |
| 9015.20.40.00 | — | $41.8 million | 7.1% | $10.25 | Sweden |
| 9015.90.01.90 | Other | $39.2 million | 6.7% | $9.29 | Thailand |
| 9015.90.01.10 | Of rangefinders | $35.2 million | 6% | $6.24 | Mexico |
| 9015.40.40.00 | — | $19.8 million | 3.4% | $7.36 | Austria |
| 9015.10.80.00 | — | $12.2 million | 2.1% | $7.54 | Germany |
| 9015.80.60.00 | — | $10.3 million | 1.8% | $2.49 | Canada |
| 9015.30.80.00 | — | $6.5 million | 1.1% | $15.08 | China |
Census calculated duty is an estimate and can differ from the duty actually paid. See the Census definitions of calculated duty and dutiable value.
Wording reviewed September 18, 2026: Title, description and the line under the heading now state the sample's import value, top origin and calculated-duty ratio.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, USA Trade Online / International Trade API, imports for consumption, March–July 2026; effective duty = calculated duty ÷ dutiable value.
The 10-digit lines under heading 9015
19 ten-digit lines recorded imports in this heading during the stated period. The largest displayed lines are 9015.10.40.00 (21.3% of heading value), 9015.80.80.80 (16.3% of heading value), 9015.80.20.00 (13.6% of heading value), and 9015.80.80.40 (9.6% of heading value). The table shows each line's aggregate value and calculated-duty ratios. A line's origin mix can differ from that of the heading.
From historical data to a shipment estimate
The $9.49 per $100 figure describes the historical sample. It does not identify the provisions applicable to a future entry. A shipment estimate needs the precise product classification, origin, entry date and applicable circumstances, followed by review of the underlying requirements.
Use your own 10-digit code and origin in the tariff simulator for a separate estimate.
Prepare your shipment information
Keep the product specification, proposed classification, origin, cargo dimensions and timing together when discussing a shipment. Airlift USA arranges freight and coordinates classification and entry filing through its licensed broker network.
For relevant cargo preparation and route information, see the Science & Technology Equipment guide, the China to USA lane, and the heading index.
Price a shipment under HTS 9015
The figures above are historical. For your own shipment, estimate the duty with your 10-digit code and origin in the import duty calculator, or ask us for the freight side. Not sure which 10-digit line under 9015 is yours? Search the heading in the HTS code lookup.
Airlift USA has moved ocean and air freight into the United States since 1999 and coordinates HTS classification, ISF and entry filing through our licensed broker network.
Get a quote to ship surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological
HTS heading 9015 is already in your notes. Add the product, origin country, cargo and container or weight; we reply with the freight rate, the destination charges and how the customs entry is handled through our licensed broker network.
Methodology
Source and scope. Figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau's international trade statistics for imports for consumption: the customs value of goods entered into US commerce, not shipments in transit or goods held in bonded warehouses. The period is March–July 2026 (5 months of data). Coverage is limited to 55 major origin countries, so totals here are lower than published US-wide totals for the same heading.
How the rates are built. Three quantities can be added up, and everything else is derived from them: entered customs value, dutiable value and calculated duty. Effective duty divides calculated duty by dutiable value. Dutiable share divides dutiable value by entered value. Duty per $100 divides calculated duty by all entered value and multiplies by 100.
What they can't tell you. These are value-weighted sample ratios, not importer averages. Each origin has its own product mix, so its aggregate ratio cannot predict savings on an identical product sourced elsewhere. Values are historical and reflect duty as calculated at the time of entry; they are not a quote and not a prediction of the rate on a future shipment.
Chapters 98 and 99 are excluded: they hold special classification and temporary-measure provisions, not product headings. Heading and tariff-line descriptions are the current HTS text.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, USA Trade Online / International Trade API, imports for consumption, March–July 2026; effective duty = calculated duty ÷ dutiable value. Census data is a work of the US government and is in the public domain.
Terms on this page:Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)Importer Security Filing (ISF)Bonded Warehouse
Frequently asked questions
Which origins supply the most imports under HTS 9015?
Canada (19.3%), Germany (13.6%), and China (10.4%) lead the displayed origins by value. These shares describe the 55-origin sample during March–July 2026, not all U.S. trade.
What calculated duty does Census report for HTS 9015?
Calculated duty is 14.3% of dutiable value and $9.49 per $100 of total sample import value; neither ratio predicts a shipment's charge or confirms duty paid.
Which HTS codes appear under heading 9015?
The extract records 19 ten-digit lines under this heading. The largest displayed lines by value are 9015.10.40.00, 9015.80.80.80, 9015.80.20.00, and 9015.80.80.40. Confirm the classification against the actual goods; a heading-level aggregate is not a classification opinion.
Can I use origin averages to calculate sourcing savings?
Among the displayed origins with at least 2% of this heading's sample import value, calculated duty per $100 ranges from $0.51 (Mexico) to $34.66 (China). Each origin has its own mix of products and entry circumstances. This comparison does not hold those factors constant and cannot predict savings from switching the origin of a purchase order.
How do I estimate duty for my own shipment?
Use the tariff simulator with the specific 10-digit HTS code and origin, then confirm applicable provisions for the entry. The historical Census ratios on this page cannot replace that review.