US tariffs on "parts of automobiles" from May 3, 2025: Affected customs tariff numbers and how to delineate correctly
29. April 2025
Copyright:Photo © 2008 by Claus Ableiter is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Motor_Hydrogen_7.JPG)
Published
29. April 2025
traide
info@traide.ai
The USA is imposing additional tariffs again: From May 3, 2025, comprehensive special tariffs on vehicle parts will come into force – as part of several proclamations under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
Since April 3, 2025, these tariffs have already applied to finished vehicles (passenger cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles); in May, vehicle parts, machinery components, electrical equipment, and more will follow.
The background: The US government sees a threat to national security due to certain import volumes. President Trump signed a corresponding Executive Order on March 26, 2025.
Important: Starting from April 3, 2025, an additional tariff rate of 25% already applies to vehicles; from May 3, 2025, it will also apply to vehicle parts – unless they fall under USMCA exceptions.
Vehicles from Mexico or Canada can be exempt from the additional tariff, provided the US content is certified. The "Non-US portion" subjected to the tariff rate is decisive.
This article is intended to help interested readers navigate the product portfolio affected by the Executive Order. Use this article as a reference. It's best to use your browser's search function (Command & F) to find your product. This article was carefully prepared to provide accurate information; however, due to the complexity of the topic, minor discrepancies may occur. We appreciate your understanding and welcome any feedback for improvement. |
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Overview: Affected Product Groups in Detail
Vehicles & Vehicle Parts
HS heading | Product Description |
|---|---|
Chassis fitted with engines for passenger vehicles and trucks | |
Bodies / superstructures | |
Only recognizable parts for road vehicles as per Notes 2 and 3 of Section XVII (excluding mufflers and exhaust pipes and parts thereof of subheding 8708.92 as well as plastic brake hoses with connected fittings; wheel hubs with double flanges, without ball bearings; parts for cable devices of subheding 8708.99.81) | |
Piston engines for road vehicles | |
Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines) for road vehicles | |
Cast iron parts, merely roughly deburred or prepared for final finishing, for use in gasoline and diesel engines | |
Axles and wheels of trailers and semi-trailers and other vehicles, not mechanically driven |
Machinery, Pumps, and Components
HS heading | Product Description |
|---|---|
Fuel, oil, or coolant pumps for internal combustion engines and only recognizable parts thereof | |
Compressors, turbochargers, fans | |
Air conditioners for motor vehicles | |
Oil or gasoline filters for internal combustion engines, catalysts or particle filters | |
Car jacks, hoists, lifting gear for raising vehicles, and only recognizable parts for these products | |
Cranes for mounting on road vehicles | |
Onboard computers with freely programmable operating system | |
Ball bearings with integrated shafts, radial bearings (>9 mm, <30 mm), single row bearings (>30 mm, <52 mm), hub units (including flange), tapered roller bearings (including tapered roller assemblies (<203 mm)), needle bearings (including cage and needle cages), cylindrical roller bearings (including cage and roller assemblies) | |
Camshafts and crankshafts, designed exclusively or mainly for use in spark-ignition internal combustion engines or rotary engines |
Electrical Engineering, Energy, Lighting
HS heading | Product Description |
|---|---|
Certain electric motors and starter batteries (lead, lithium) and parts thereof | |
Electrical ignition and starting devices for spark-ignition or compression-ignition engines (e.g., magnetos, ignition coils, spark plugs, glow plugs); alternators and charging/discharge switches for such engines | |
Lighting, signaling devices, wipers & defrosters for motor vehicles | |
Cassette tape players designed exclusively for installation in motor vehicles | |
Radio devices for motor vehicles | |
(Motor) controls, ignition cable sets for motor vehicles | |
Internally mirrored headlamp bulbs |
Additional, Also Universally Usable Industrial Goods
HS heading | Product Description |
|---|---|
Brake hoses predominantly made of rubber | |
New, retreaded, and used tires and inner tubes for motor vehicles, trucks, and buses | |
Other rubber parts for motor vehicles | |
Leaf springs and leaves for them & coil springs for vehicle suspension | |
Locks for motor vehicles | |
Hinges & other fittings for motor vehicles | |
Windows and rearview mirrors made of glass for motor vehicles | |
Seats for motor vehicles | |
Range finders | |
Indicators such as tachometers, production counters, taximeters, odometers, even pedometers, and similar devices, speedometers and tachometers |
Delineation to Unaffected Goods
Not affected – or currently not listed – are, for example:
HS heading | Product Description |
|---|---|
Valves, fittings, transformers | |
Optoelectronics, semiconductors | |
Knock-down kits | Deliveries of individual components of complete vehicles are not covered by exceptions for vehicle parts |
Timeline
Vehicles: from April 3, 2025 (25%)
Vehicle parts (this article): at the latest from May 3, 2025
Recommended Actions
Check HS codes: Even a different HTS/US subheading can be decisive
Utilize USMCA: Document origin shares
Clean up master data: Store clear product texts
Develop customs strategy: Review alternatives and avoidance options
Conclusion
Whether a complete SUV, light bulb, pump technology, or door fitting – the new round of tariffs by the USA affects numerous product groups of high relevance for European exports. Companies that know their HTS codes and plan at the heading level gain strategic advantages and avoid significant additional costs.
