Machinery is one of the most common first imports for small and mid-sized buyers, and one of the easiest to mis-cost. A pump, a compressor and a complete production line can sit in different tariff lines, with different duty rates and different trade measures. This page frames the cost before you commit to a supplier.
Classification comes first
Centrifugal pumps, air compressors, fans and machines with individual functions often sit around headings 8413, 8414 and 8479. Parts can sit with the machine, in a parts heading or in their own specific line. The US rate is applied at the 10-digit HTS line, not at the six-digit heading.
The supplier’s code may be from a previous shipment or another market. Ask for the product’s function, material and power source, then verify the line against the current HTS.
- A complete machine versus a part is a classification question, not a shipping detail.
- A production line can be classified as a system or as separate machines.
- Used machinery does not automatically change the code, but it can change admissibility and value.
The US border stack
Base duty on many machinery lines is in the 0–3.9% planning band. For China-origin goods, Section 301 can add a substantial layer; the exact rate and list coverage depend on the 8-digit line. MPF is ad valorem with a floor and a ceiling, and HMF applies to ocean cargo.
There is no federal VAT at import. That does not make the US cheap: port, broker, drayage, bond, ISF and compliance costs still arrive, and state sales tax can affect the resale margin.
- Confirm whether Section 301 applies to your exact HTS line.
- Budget for a customs bond and ISF if you are the importer of record.
- Add agency review if the machinery touches FDA, EPA, FCC or CPSC scope.
Freight and local cost
Machinery is heavy and often bulky. The model uses a sea LCL/FCL split at 14 CBM and a 40ft container rate for larger volumes. A 100-unit run of small pumps can fit in a couple of containers; a single production line may need flat racks or breakbulk that our model does not cover.
Local charges assume a major container port and a nearby warehouse. Remote delivery, liftgate, appointment windows or a dedicated chassis can move the number.
United States · 100 units · FCL 40ft
| Cost line | Amount | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| FOB goods | $30,000 | You provided |
| International freight (FCL 40ft) | $6,700 | Estimated |
| Cargo insurance | $165 | Estimated |
| Customs duty (2.5% × CIF) | $922 | Rule-based |
| Additional measures | $9,216 | Rule-based |
| Import VAT / GST (0%) | $0 | Rule-based |
| Statutory fees | $174 | Rule-based |
| Clearance, port, inland, docs | $1,130 | Estimated |
| Estimated landed total | $48,307 | $483 / unit |
Sample generated with engine 2026.11.1 and data reviewed 2026-11-01. It is not a quote or a ruling.
What this page does not decide
It does not classify your goods, confirm origin, determine the customs value, promise a freight rate or replace a licensed broker. Use the sample as a planning frame, then replace each assumption with a confirmed figure.
For the full destination context, read the United States destination file and the related guide.
Common questions
Is machinery duty-free in the US?
Some lines are duty-free, many are not. The category planning band is 0–3.9%, but the exact HTS line and any Section 301 measure determine the actual rate.
Why is Section 301 not included for every origin?
It is a China-origin measure in our model. Other origins may face different measures or none, so the engine applies it only where the origin condition matches.
Can I import used machinery?
Often yes, but admissibility depends on the machine and its use. Cleaning, inspection, prior notice or agency approval may be required.