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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteShort answer: A 25% U.S. customs duty could raise the landed cost of some cellular machine-to-machine (M2M) hardware, but it is not an automatic 25% increase on every LTE-M, NB-IoT or 5G module. The January 2026 White House proclamation applies to defined advanced-computing chips and derivative products, subject to HTSUS classification, country of origin, entry date and exclusions. Importers may absorb, share or pass through the duty, so the price paid by a customer can move by less or more than 25%.
What the 25% tariff actually covers
The January 2026 White House proclamation set a 25% ad valorem duty on specified advanced-computing chips and derivative products beginning January 15, 2026. Its stated rule is: “Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, imports of Covered Products will be subject to a 25 percent ad valorem duty rate.” The proclamation also lists exclusions for certain supply-chain, industrial, research and other uses.
CBP describes the measure as a “25 percent additional ad valorem duty” and identifies the covered HTSUS headings and the process for reporting an additional duty. A cellular module is therefore not covered merely because it connects to a mobile network or is marketed for IoT. The tariff question is whether the imported item falls within a covered tariff provision and whether an exclusion applies.
Why classification and origin determine your exposure
Before estimating a tariff, establish four facts for the exact SKU and shipment:
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- Dimensions: 107 mm x 162 mm x 35 mm Number of Ports: 2 Port
- HTSUS classification: the customs heading and subheading assigned to the finished module, modem, router or gateway.
- Country of origin: where the product underwent the substantial transformation recognized by U.S. customs, not necessarily where the brand is headquartered.
- Entry date: the date the goods enter the United States can determine which measure and rate apply.
- Exclusions or preferential treatment: a listed exclusion or an applicable trade preference can change the additional duty.
A customs ruling illustrates why a product name is not enough. CBP classified a China-origin fixed-wireless broadband router under HTSUS 8517.62.0020. That provision carried a free general duty rate, yet an additional 25% China tariff could still apply under Chapter 99 unless an exclusion was available. “Duty-free” in the normal tariff column therefore does not guarantee a zero-duty import cost.
Does the 25% apply to LTE-M and NB-IoT modules?
Not automatically. LTE-M and NB-IoT describe cellular technologies, not a single customs classification. Two modules with similar radio capabilities can have different tariff treatment because of their construction, declared function, origin and the HTSUS interpretation used by CBP.
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- 12.5 x 10 x 6 inches
- Hinged cover with lockable stainless steel latch
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- NEMA UL Type 4, 4X, 6, 6P, 12 and 13
- Continuous 40-175 degrees F
Ask the supplier or customs broker for the proposed HTSUS code and origin for the precise part number. Then check whether that code is among the covered headings in the January 2026 proclamation and whether the product fits an exclusion. Do not infer coverage from a module’s Cat-M1, NB-IoT, LTE, 5G or “cellular IoT” label.
What a 25% scenario looks like in practice
DigiKey’s 2026 catalog lists the Telit Cinterion ME310M1W203T030100 LTE Cat-M/NB-IoT module at $32.36 per unit and warns that a tariff may apply when shipping to the United States. The listing is a catalog price, not a guaranteed post-tariff retail price.
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- 5G SA & NSA speeds of up to 3.4 Gbps1 for Internet access and data transfer
- 1 x 10/100/1000/2500 Ethernet LAN port for high-speed wired connectivity
- 1 x SIM slot for WAN connectivity
- Plug & Play design for quick and easy integration
- Durable zinc-plated steel case is corrosion-resistant to ensure device longevity
| Illustrative case | Calculation | What it does and does not show |
|---|---|---|
| No additional duty applies | $32.36 product price | Freight, brokerage, taxes and distributor charges can still change the landed cost. |
| A 25% duty applies to the customs value | $32.36 × 1.25 = $40.45 before other charges | This is a mathematical example only. It assumes the catalog price equals the dutiable value and that no exclusion or other rule changes the result. |
| The importer shares or absorbs part of the duty | Customer increase is less than the duty amount | Commercial pricing decisions can prevent a one-for-one pass-through. |
The ME310M1 family was announced by Telit on January 6, 2025 with approvals from two major U.S. operators and global band support. Those approvals and bands affect deployment risk, but they do not decide tariff classification.
Other U.S. tariff measures can complicate the invoice
DigiKey’s 2026 tariff tracker records several separate measures and rate changes:
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- 4G M2M CONNECTIVITY MADE EASY: Easily share a 4G LTE network via Sim Card with M2M devices. Unlocked and compatible/certified with major carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile
- PERFECT FOR: Vending machines, ATM, POS, digital signage, surveillance, transportation, industrial automation, smart grid, construction, cottages; Reliable failover and backup network for the wired network in rural retail stores, gas stations, etc.
- COMPACT AND DURABLE: Zinc-plated steel case resistant to corrosion and designed to operation in harsh environment (-30 to 60 °C or -22 to 140 °F); small form factor (2.7 in x 3.05 in x 1.02 in) Wall or DIN-rail mount
- VERSATILE SMART APPLICATIONS: A cost-effective solution for M2M connectivity for SMART RETAIL, SMART CITY, SMART FACTORY scenarios where remote 24/7 network connectivity is required
- REMOTE CENTRALIZED MANAGEMENT: Remote-managed for ease of deployment, remote management, and reporting via optional D-ECS cloud platform
- A 10% all-country tariff beginning April 5, 2025.
- 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico beginning in February 2025.
- A 10% Section 122 tariff beginning February 24, 2026.
The tracker also documents exemptions and subsequent changes. These measures do not automatically stack in every transaction. The applicable combination depends on the product, origin, entry date, exclusions and the customs rules in force when the shipment is entered. Require a current landed-cost quote rather than adding headline percentages together.
How to calculate a realistic landed cost
- Freeze the exact bill of materials. Record the module or gateway part number, firmware variant, accessories and country of manufacture.
- Obtain the classification. Ask the seller for its HTSUS determination and have your broker confirm it for the imported configuration. The classification of a complete gateway may differ from that of a bare radio module.
- Check Chapter 99 and the proclamation. Determine whether an additional tariff applies to the origin and HTSUS code, and whether a documented exclusion covers the use or supply-chain situation.
- Use the customs value, not just the shelf price. Add the elements your broker includes in the dutiable value, then account separately for freight, insurance, brokerage, merchandise-processing fees, storage, domestic delivery and applicable taxes.
- Model timing. Quote scenarios for the intended entry date and for a delayed shipment; rates and exemptions have changed during 2025 and 2026.
- Get the allocation in writing. A distributor quote should state whether the listed price includes duty, whether a tariff surcharge can be added later and who is the importer of record.
Ways to reduce tariff exposure without compromising the design
Verify an exclusion before redesigning
Some exclusions in the January 2026 proclamation cover specified supply-chain, industrial, research or other uses. An exclusion is only useful when the product and transaction satisfy its conditions and the importer can document that eligibility. Ask the broker to cite the applicable provision and filing treatment.
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Compare origin and sourcing options
Compare otherwise equivalent modules or gateways by actual country of origin, not by brand location. A different manufacturing site can change additional-duty exposure, but relabeling or routing through another country does not by itself change origin.
Evaluate complete gateways as well as modules
A gateway may consolidate modem, processor, power supply and enclosure costs, while a separate module may offer more design flexibility. Their classifications, certifications and duty treatment can differ. Make the comparison at the landed system level.
Use an approved substitute only after checking certification
Changing suppliers to avoid a tariff can introduce U.S. carrier recertification, antenna or band incompatibility, firmware support gaps and a new hardware qualification cycle. Confirm operator approvals, supported bands, lifecycle commitments and security-update policies before treating a substitute as equivalent.
Procurement checklist for cellular IoT hardware
| Decision factor | Questions to answer |
|---|---|
| Tariff eligibility | What HTSUS code, origin, entry date and Chapter 99 provision apply? Is an exclusion documented? |
| Landed cost | Does the quote include duty, freight, brokerage, fees and any tariff surcharge, or only the unit price? |
| Connectivity | Does the module support the required LTE-M, NB-IoT, LTE or 5G bands and network features in the deployment region? |
| U.S. approvals | Does the exact hardware and firmware have the carrier certifications required for activation? |
| Availability | Are stock, lead time and allocation commitments firm enough for the project schedule? |
| Lifecycle and security | How long will the vendor provide firmware, security fixes and replacement hardware? |
| Redesign risk | Would a lower-duty alternative require new testing, antennas, enclosure work or regulatory filings? |
What the market data does—and does not—prove
Counterpoint Research reported 15% year-over-year growth in global cellular IoT module shipments in 2025 and said some customers accelerated orders ahead of potential module price increases. That is evidence of demand and purchasing behavior, not proof that U.S. retail prices rose 25% or that every module is covered by the proclamation.
For buyers, the practical comparison is therefore landed cost plus deployment risk, not a headline tariff percentage. A module with a lower catalog price can be more expensive after duty, certification work, delays or a shorter support life.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
