U.S. imports of Clutches and Shaft Couplings, Including Universal Joints (HS 848360) totaled $43.2M in August 2026, imported from 58 countries.
Importers of Clutches and Shaft Couplings, Including Universal Joints paid $5.9M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 13.70% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPrecision-engineered clutches, universal joints, and shaft couplings are foundational drivetrain components for automotive, industrial, and power-generation applications, and Germany leads US import supply under this heading — reflecting that country's strength in high-tolerance mechanical engineering. The US schedule separates clutches and universal joints (8483604040 and 8483604080) from other shaft couplings (8483608000), a distinction that matters because universal joints transmit torque across angular offsets while rigid or flexible couplings connect co-axial shafts. Canada and Japan are also notable suppliers, and goods of Canadian or Mexican origin may qualify for preferential duty treatment under USMCA. Correct classification requires determining whether the article engages/disengages drive (clutch), accommodates angular misalignment (universal joint), or simply connects two shaft ends (coupling).
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3.0K import shipments a month
A universal joint (8483604080) is specifically designed to transmit rotary motion between two shafts at a variable angle, typically using a cross-and-yoke mechanism. A flexible shaft coupling (8483608000) accommodates minor misalignment or vibration damping but does not permit significant angular variation in the drive axis. The functional design and angular-displacement capability of the article are the key classification criteria.
Goods of Canadian or Mexican origin that meet USMCA rules-of-origin requirements are eligible for preferential tariff treatment, which can meaningfully reduce duty costs given that Canada is among the top suppliers under this heading. Importers should obtain a valid USMCA certification of origin and confirm that the specific 10-digit line qualifies before claiming the preference.
Subheading 6 of 7 in heading 8483
Subheading 848360 · $43.2M of $937.4M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8483608000 | Shaft Couplings, Except Universal Joints | $28.1M | 12.12% | 81.43% | $3.4M |
| 8483604040 | Clutches and Universal Joints, Clutches | $12.7M | 15.12% | 84.14% | $1.9M |
| 8483604080 | Clutches and Universal Joints, Universal Joints | $2.3M | 25.24% | 92.26% | $575K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8483608000 | Shaft Couplings, Except Universal Joints | $25.2M |
| 8483604000 | Clutches and Universal Joints | $17.7M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$43.2MYoY · free account
Exports
$42.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $489.1M of Clutches and Shaft Couplings, Including Universal Joints and exported $497.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China pays 43.3% duty; India 5.3%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
17.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 13.70% of imports for consumption.
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