Import duty on solar garden lights from China
Rates checked
Importing solar garden lights from China into the US costs about 41.4% in duty and tariffs in total: 3.9% base duty under HTS 9405.41.84.40, a 25% product-specific Section 301 China tariff plus 12.5% under the Section 301 forced-labor trade action.
HTS code for solar garden lights
9405.41.84.40
Luminaires and lighting fittings including searchlights and spotlights and parts thereof, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated nameplates and the like, having a permanently fixed light source, and parts thereof not elsewhere specified or included: Other electric luminaires and lighting fittings: Photovoltaic, designed for use solely with light- emitting diode (LED) light sources: Other: Other: Other
Medium confidence
Duty and tariff breakdown
| Line | Rate |
|---|---|
| Base customs dutyHTS 9405.41.84.40 | 3.9% |
| Section 301 — product-specific China tariffheading 9903.88.03 | 25% |
| Section 301 — forced-labor trade actionheading 9903.05.31A Section 301 trade action on countries whose import-ban policies on forced-labor goods the U.S. considers inadequate. It applies to applicable Chinese-origin goods, subject to exemptions. | 12.5% |
| Total estimated duty | 41.4% |
| Merchandise processing fee (MPF)FY2027 per entry, minimum $34.58, maximum $670.86 | 0.3464% |
| Harbor maintenance fee (HMF)ocean freight only | 0.125% |
Rates checked 10 Nov 2026
Worked example
- Per $1,000 of goods: $414.00 in duty and tariffs, plus about $4.71 in MPF and HMF (a small entry pays the MPF minimum instead).
- Per unit at an example $2.00 factory price: $0.83 in duty and tariffs.
Why the code might be different
The code depends on what the product is made of and what it is mainly used for. Solar garden lights are usually made of plastic with a solar panel and LEDs. If customs reads it differently, 9405.42.84 (Luminaires and lighting fittings including searchlights and spotlights and parts thereof, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated nameplates and the like, having a permanently fixed light source, and parts thereof not elsewhere specified or included: Other electric luminaires and lighting fittings: Other, designed for use solely with light-emitting diode (LED) light sources: Other: Other, 41.4% total) could apply instead. A different material, a different power source or a different main use can move a product to another heading.
Compliance and paperwork
- Prop 65 warning (California) — may applyCalifornia OEHHA
- Country-of-origin label — appliesCBP
What else goes into landed cost
Duty is one line. Freight from the factory to the Amazon warehouse, customs brokerage, inspection, and Amazon's fulfilment and referral fees usually cost more than the duty does.
Duty on solar garden lights is about 41.4%, but it's rarely the biggest cost.
A free Cap Engine scan of the Amazon listing adds freight from China, Amazon's FBA and referral fees, ad spend and the cash your first order ties up, so you know whether it actually makes money before you order.
- Landed cost per unit
- Profit after Amazon fees and ads
- Cash needed for the first order
3 free scans · no credit card
Questions about importing solar garden lights
What HTS code are solar garden lights?
Solar garden lights from China usually fall under HTS 9405.41.84.40 (Luminaires and lighting fittings including searchlights and spotlights and parts thereof, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated signs, illuminated nameplates and the like, having a permanently fixed light source, and parts thereof not elsewhere specified or included: Other electric luminaires and lighting fittings: Photovoltaic, designed for use solely with light- emitting diode (LED) light sources: Other: Other: Other). The match has medium confidence. If customs reads the product differently, 9405.42.84 could apply.
Is there a Section 301 tariff on solar garden lights?
Yes. Solar garden lights from China pay the 25% product-specific China tariff (heading 9903.88.03) and the 12.5% forced-labor trade action (heading 9903.05.31) under Section 301, on top of the 3.9% base duty, 41.4% in total.
How much duty do I pay on solar garden lights from China?
About 41.4% of the goods' value: $414.00 per $1,000 of goods, or $0.83 per unit at a $2.00 factory price. The MPF and HMF customs fees come on top, about 0.4714% together.
What paperwork do solar garden lights need?
Usually: Country-of-origin label on the product. Check the compliance section above for what each involves.