Import Duty on Auto Parts from China: 2026 HTS 8708 & Section 232
Compute multi-layer customs tariffs for aftermarket automotive parts, brake rotors, alloy wheels, bumpers, suspension components, and EV drivetrain hardware.
Multi-Layer Stacking on HTS 8708 Aftermarket & OEM Automotive Parts
Automotive parts and accessories imported under HTS Heading 8708 face one of the most complex tariff regimes in U.S. customs law. Calculating the exact import duty on auto parts from china requires checking four distinct statutory layers: the 2.5% Column 1 Base MFN duty, the 25% Section 301 List 1/2/3 surcharge, the 2025–2026 IEEPA China surcharge, and Proclamation Section 232 national security tariffs on steel, aluminum, and designated automotive components.
| Automotive Component | HTS Code | Base MFN | Sec 301 | Sec 232 | 2026 IEEPA | Combined Rate | Load in Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake Pads, Rotors & Calipers | 8708.30.50 | 2.5% | 25.0% | 25.0% | 20.0% | 72.50% | |
| Plastic Bumpers & Body Trim | 8708.10.30 | 2.5% | 25.0% | 0.0% | 20.0% | 47.50% | |
| Aluminum Alloy Road Wheels | 8708.70.45 | 2.5% | 25.0% | 25.0% | 20.0% | 72.50% | |
| Shock Absorbers & Struts | 8708.80.65 | 2.5% | 25.0% | 0.0% | 20.0% | 47.50% |
Worked Example: $9,000 Shipment of Brake Rotors (HTS 8708.30.50)
Here is how our import duty on auto parts from china engine calculates a $9,000 FOB Ningbo ocean shipment of 600 cast-iron brake rotor assemblies ($15.00/unit FOB, $1,150 ocean freight + insurance):
Four-Layer CBP Tariff Assessment on Automotive Brake Parts
- Commercial Invoice FOB Value: $9,000.00 ($15.00/rotor × 600 units)
- 1. Column 1 Base MFN Duty (2.5%): $225.00
- 2. USTR Section 301 List 3 Duty (25.0%): $2,250.00
- 3. Section 232 Automotive / Steel Tariff (25.0%): $2,250.00
- 4. 2026 IEEPA China Tariff Surcharge (20.0%): $1,800.00
- Total Stacked Customs Duties (72.50%): $6,525.00
- CBP MPF ($34.58 min) + Ocean HMF ($11.25) + Freight ($1,150): $1,195.83
- Total U.S. Landed Cost: $16,720.83 ($27.87 per rotor)
DOT HS-7 Declarations, EPA Engine Rules & AD/CVD Warnings
Use our automotive duty simulator above and verify DOT NHTSA FMVSS safety certification (Form HS-7) and Commerce Department AD/CVD orders on Chinese steel/aluminum wheels and tires before booking ocean freight.
Official 10-digit commodity classifications can be cross-referenced directly in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) database prior to filing CBP Entry Summary Form 7501.
Importers of Record seeking formal tariff classification certainty may request an electronic binding ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP eRulings) under 19 CFR Part 177.
All Chapter 99 China trade remedy announcements and statutory four-year review modifications are published by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
Ocean container bookings require an Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) transmitted to CBP at least 24 hours before cargo is laden aboard a vessel at a Chinese port.
Continuous customs bonds ($50,000 minimum coverage) are mandatory for commercial formal entries valued over $2,500 entering U.S. ports of entry.
When auditing supplier proforma invoices from Shenzhen, Ningbo, or Qingdao, always separate factory FOB manufacturing cost from international freight and marine insurance.
Enrolling in the CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Periodic Monthly Statement program allows importers to pay duties interest-free on the 15th working day of the next month.
Frequently Asked Questions: Import Duty On Auto Parts From China
What is the total tariff on Chinese auto parts in 2026?
Most aftermarket parts under HTS 8708 carry a 2.5% base MFN rate + 25% Section 301 List 3 duty + 20% IEEPA duty (47.5% minimum), and up to 72.5%+ if covered by Section 232 automotive or steel/aluminum proclamations.
Are steel and aluminum auto parts subject to melt-and-pour reporting?
Yes. CBP requires importers of record to report the country of melt and pour for steel articles and country of smelt and cast for aluminum derivatives on Entry Form 7501.
What is DOT Form HS-7 when importing auto parts into the US?
DOT Form HS-7 is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) declaration required at customs entry for motor vehicles and regulated equipment items (such as headlamps, brake hoses, tires, and glazing) certifying compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
Are automotive LED headlights classified under HTS 8708 or 8512?
Visual signaling and electrical lighting equipment for motor vehicles (headlamps, tail lights, turn signals) are classified under HTS 8512.20.20 (0% Base MFN + 25% Section 301 List 3 + 20% IEEPA = 45.0%), rather than general body parts in 8708.
Do aftermarket car wheels and tires from China have Anti-Dumping duties?
Yes! Both steel wheels, certain aluminum road wheels, and passenger/truck tires from China are subject to steep Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duty (AD/CVD) orders. Always check scope rulings with your customs broker.
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