What's the Tariff on Television (LCD/OLED)?
Flat panel TVs primarily from China, South Korea, Mexico.
Current Tariff Rate
34%
Pre-2025 Rate
3.9%
Rate Increase
+30.1pp
Price Impact
+34%
+$204
Real-World Price Impact
Before Tariffs
$599
65" 4K TV
After Tariffs
$803
65" 4K TV
That's $204 more per unit — a 34% price increase paid by the American buyer.
Note: Price estimates assume full tariff pass-through to consumers. Actual retail prices may vary — manufacturers may absorb some costs, shift production, or adjust margins.
The Story Behind This Tariff
The television market presents a complex tariff picture because production is split across multiple countries. While China dominates budget and mid-range LCD panels through BOE and TCL/CSOT, premium OLED technology is controlled by LG Display in South Korea. Mexico has become a major TV assembly hub — Samsung, LG, and Hisense all operate Tijuana-area factories specifically to serve the US market. The 34% IEEPA tariff hits Chinese-assembled sets hardest, while Korean and Mexican units face the baseline 10% rate. This creates dramatic brand-level disparities: a Chinese-made TCL 65" might jump $200 while a Mexican-assembled Samsung equivalent rises only $60. The tariff is accelerating Mexico's already-growing role as a nearshore TV assembly hub, though panels and components still flow from Asian suppliers.
📦 Supply Chain
Primary Origin
China
Made in USA
5%
Import Volume
$18.7B
Alternatives
Mexico (Tijuana assembly hub), South Korea
📅 Tariff Timeline
2018
Section 301 List 3 — TVs included at 10%
10%2019
List 3 rate increased
25%2024
Section 301 exclusion process for some TV panels
25%2025
IEEPA replaces and increases China rate
34%👥 Consumer Impact
Households Affected
95M
Annual Cost Per Household
$85
💡 Did You Know?
- •Tijuana, Mexico has more TV factories than any US city — Samsung, LG, Sony, and Hisense all assemble there
- •BOE Technology in China is now the world's largest display panel maker, surpassing Samsung and LG
- •The average American TV size has grown from 37" to 65" in a decade, amplifying per-unit tariff costs
Tariff Details
- HTS Code
- 8528.72
- Current Rate
- 34%
- Pre-2025 Rate
- 3.9%
- Tariff Type
- IEEPA
Legal Authority
IEEPA Executive Order (April 2, 2025)
Effective: April 2, 2025
"Liberation Day" — broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act
The tariff on Television (LCD/OLED) is paid by the American importer at the port of entry and passed through to consumers as higher retail prices. The foreign manufacturer does not pay the tariff.
Who Actually Pays This Tariff?
Despite claims that tariffs are paid by foreign countries, the 34% tariff on Television (LCD/OLED) is paid by American importers — US companies that purchase these goods from abroad. The cost is then passed to American consumers through higher retail prices.
- ✓ The foreign seller receives the same price as before
- ✓ The US importer pays 34% of the customs value to CBP
- ✓ The retailer marks up the higher landed cost
- ✓ You pay more at the register: $599 → $803
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