Tariff Rates
Tariff on Medical Devices: Tariffs That Raise the Cost of Healthcare
U.S. tariffs on imported medical devices add 5-20% to costs for consumers and healthcare providers. The average household pays $100-300 per year in hidden tariff costs on personal health devices and medical supplies. These duties are eligible for refund through the CBP CAPE program.
5-20%
tariff rate range
$100-300/year
avg. household impact
$75 billion
total U.S. imports
How Much Do Tariffs Add to Medical Devices Prices?
Here's what tariffs actually cost you on common medical devices purchases.
| Product | Tariff Rate | Price Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Pressure Monitors | 5-15% | $5-20 per device |
| Thermometers | 10-20% | $3-10 per unit |
| CPAP Machines | 5-15% | $50-150 per machine |
| Hearing Aids | 5-10% | $50-200 per pair |
| Mobility Aids | 10-20% | $20-100 per device |
The bigger picture: According to the Yale Budget Lab, U.S. tariffs cost the average American household $3,800 per year across all product categories. Medical Devices accounts for an estimated $100-300/year of that total.
Which Medical Devices Products Are Most Affected?
Blood Pressure Monitors
Low impact5-15%
tariff rate
This adds $5-20 per device to the price you pay.
Thermometers
Medium impact10-20%
tariff rate
This adds $3-10 per unit to the price you pay.
CPAP Machines
Low impact5-15%
tariff rate
This adds $50-150 per machine to the price you pay.
Hearing Aids
Low impact5-10%
tariff rate
This adds $50-200 per pair to the price you pay.
Mobility Aids
Medium impact10-20%
tariff rate
This adds $20-100 per device to the price you pay.
Where Does Medical Devices Come From?
Tariff rates vary by country of origin. Here are the top countries exporting medical devices to the United States.
China faces the highest tariff rates (up to 145% on some goods) due to Section 301 and IEEPA tariffs. Other countries face varying rates under IEEPA “reciprocal” tariffs.
Can You Get This Money Back?
For Importers
CAPE Tariff Refund Recovery
If you import medical devices, your entries may qualify for refund through the CBP CAPE program. Tariffi prepares your declaration data; your licensed customs broker partner files it.
Start your claimFor Consumers
B2B2C Refund Distribution
Individual consumers can't file CAPE declarations directly, but Tariffi's distribution program connects you with importers recovering refunds — so a portion of those savings can flow back to you.
Calculate your impactFrequently Asked Questions
- Are there tariffs on medical equipment?
- Yes. Despite the critical nature of medical devices, many face tariffs of 5-20%. Consumer health devices from China like blood pressure monitors, thermometers, and CPAP machines are all subject to Section 301 tariffs.
- Do tariffs affect prescription medical devices?
- Yes. Prescription devices including hearing aids, CPAP machines, and mobility aids face tariffs that add $50-200 to the cost. These tariff costs are often not covered by insurance, increasing out-of-pocket expenses for patients.
- Why doesn't the government exempt medical devices?
- While there have been proposals to exempt medical devices from tariffs, most consumer health products remain subject to standard tariff rates. Some critical supplies received temporary exemptions during COVID-19, but many have since expired.
Related resources
- All tariff rates by product & country — browse tariff impacts across all categories
- Tariff recovery by industry — refund pools for 30+ import sectors
- IEEPA & Section 301 refund guides — step-by-step recovery guides
- Tariff impact calculator — estimate your overpayment and potential refund
Calculate your tariff impact on medical devices
See exactly how much tariffs add to the medical devices you import or buy — and how much you could recover.
Calculate Your Tariff ImpactQuestions? support@tariffi.io