Sorted Spent Lithium-Ion Laptop Batteries from China
Used lithium-ion batteries from consumer laptops, sorted by chemical type (lithium cobalt oxide) and confirmed free of lead, cadmium, or mercury contamination. These spent primary cells are no longer usable or rechargeable due to wear and capacity degradation, qualifying under HTS 8549.13 as sorted e-waste scrap. They are processed for recycling to recover valuable metals like lithium and cobalt.
Duty Rate — China → United States
7.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
9903.05.860%Universal product exemption (U.S. note 52(b))
Import Tips
• Obtain certificates verifying chemical composition and absence of prohibited metals via XRF testing; ensure proper hazardous waste manifests under EPA/DOT rules
• Common pitfall: mislabeling as functional batteries leading to reclassification