90011000
9›Optical fibres and optical fibre bundles; optical fibre cables other than those of heading 8544; sheets and plates of polarising material; lenses (including contact lenses), prisms, mirrors and other optical elements, of any material, unmounted, other than such elements of glass not optically worked
Optical fibres, optical fibre bundles and cables
What does subheading 9001 10 cover - optical fibres and cables?
Subheading 9001 10 of the Combined Nomenclature covers optical fibres, optical fibre bundles and optical fibre cables, other than cables incorporating electrical conductors (hybrid cables). The key classification criterion is the exclusive optical transmission function: the product must transmit signals by means of light only, with no electrical current-carrying components. If a cable contains both optical fibres and electrical conductors, it may be classified in Chapter 85 as a hybrid cable, typically under heading 8544. Typical products under 9001 10 include single-mode and multimode silica fibres with acrylate coating, loose-tube and tight-buffered fibre cables, armoured outdoor cables, ribbon cables, submarine optical cables and gel-filled duct cables, provided they carry no electrical conductors. The classification boundary between Chapter 84 and Chapter 90 is defined by function: mechanical drives and machinery (even if equipped with ancillary optics) fall under Chapter 84, while items whose principal function is optical fall under Chapter 90. Classification follows GRI Rules 1 and 6 and the HS Explanatory Notes to heading 9001. In case of doubt, Binding Tariff Information (BTI) ruling from the national customs authority is recommended.
Import requirements and regulatory framework for subheading 9001 10
Importing optical fibres and cables under subheading 9001 10 into the EU requires compliance with the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013). The importer must hold an EORI number and submit an electronic customs declaration in the AIS/IMPORT system. Pure optical fibre cables without any electrical components are not subject to the Low Voltage Directive LVD 2014/35/EU or the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, since they carry no electrical voltage. The General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 applies as the baseline safety requirement. Relevant technical standards include IEC 60793 (optical fibres), IEC 60794 (optical fibre cables) and ITU-T G.652/G.657 standards for single-mode fibres. Submarine cables may be subject to additional environmental and marine licensing requirements. Certain high-performance optical components intended for defence or dual-use applications may require an export licence under Regulation (EU) 2021/821. Required import documents: commercial invoice with technical description (fibre type, number of fibres, attenuation, bandwidth, cable construction), transport document, and technical datasheet.
Duty rates and ITA agreement for subheading 9001 10
Optical fibres and optical fibre cables under subheading 9001 10 are covered by the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA), which eliminates import duties for ITA signatories on a wide range of technology products including optical components used in telecommunications and IT. In practice the MFN duty rate for subheading 9001 10 is 0%, which should be verified in the European Commission's TARIC database for the specific 10-digit code. Preferential rates under EU FTA agreements (CETA with Canada, EU-Japan EPA, EU-UK TCA, EU-Korea FTA, GSP) are often redundant given the 0% MFN rate, but should be confirmed in TARIC when required for proof-of-origin purposes. Chapter 90 products are entirely excluded from CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, Regulation (EU) 2023/956), which covers only carbon-intensive goods: steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen. Autonomous tariff suspensions under EU Regulation (EU) 2021/2283 may temporarily reduce or eliminate duties on specific optical products not covered by ITA. The importer should check TARIC regularly before each importation, as duty rates and trade measures may change. Import from countries subject to EU sanctions (Russia, Belarus) requires additional checks for applicable restrictions. VAT applies at the national rate on import. All duty rates and trade measures must be verified in TARIC.
Optical fibres - telecommunications and IEC standards
Importing optical fibres and cables (CN 9001 10) into the EU may benefit from the 0% MFN duty rate under the WTO ITA. Optical products in Chapter 90 of the CN are subject to RoHS 2 and WEEE 2 directives if they form part of electronic equipment. The rate should be verified in TARIC using the full 10-digit code. An EORI number and correct customs declaration are required. Import VAT applies.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cable with both optical fibres and electrical conductors classified under 9001 10?
No. Subheading 9001 10 covers only cables with optical fibres that contain no electrical conductors whatsoever. Hybrid cables combining optical fibres with electrical conductors are classified in Chapter 85 (typically heading 8544), based on the essential character of the product under GRI Rule 3b. The classification boundary is based on the cable composition at the time of importation: the presence of even a single electrical conductor may change the classification. In case of doubt, Binding Tariff Information (BTI) ruling from the national customs authority is recommended before import. BTI decisions are valid for three years across the entire EU and are searchable in the EBTI database.
Do optical fibres under 9001 10 benefit from ITA and what is the MFN duty rate?
Yes. Optical fibres and fibre cables under subheading 9001 10 are covered by the WTO ITA Agreement, which eliminates import duties between signatories including the EU, USA, Japan and China. The MFN duty rate is 0%, which must be confirmed in the European Commission's TARIC database for the specific 10-digit TARIC code. Countries that are not ITA signatories may attract a higher MFN rate. Preferential FTA rates may be available for non-ITA countries upon proof of preferential origin. These products are not subject to CBAM. VAT applies at the applicable national rate on importation.
Do pure optical fibre cables require CE marking or compliance with LVD/EMC directives?
Pure optical fibre cables without any electrical components are not subject to the LVD Directive 2014/35/EU or the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU, as they carry no electrical voltage. CE marking under these directives is therefore not required. However, compliance with the General Product Safety Regulation (EU) 2023/988 and applicable IEC/EN standards (IEC 60793 for fibres, IEC 60794 for cables) should be assessed and documented. Technical documentation confirming optical parameters (attenuation, bandwidth, fibre type) should accompany the goods. For cables intended for dual-use or defence applications, the exporter and importer should assess applicable export control rules under Regulation (EU) 2021/821.
What duty rate applies to optical fibres and cables under CN 9001 10?
Optical fibres and cables (CN 9001 10) may qualify for a 0% rate under the WTO ITA. Verify the rate in TARIC. An EORI number is required. Import VAT applies.
Useful tools & resources
Customs calculators
Related glossary terms