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HSChapter 86
U.S. imports of intermodal shipping containers (HS 860900) totaled $24.7M in April 2026, traded with 37 countries.
Importers of Intermodal Shipping Containers paid $5.3M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 25% on $20.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataSpecially designed and equipped containers built for carriage across two or more transport modes — ocean, rail, road, or air — are classified under a single 10-digit line (8609000000). China overwhelmingly dominates global container manufacturing and leads US imports under this heading by a wide margin, creating concentration risk that became acutely visible during pandemic-era equipment shortages. Importers should note that containers subject to Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-origin goods face additional duty exposure, and that temporary importation provisions (e.g., under bond) may apply when containers enter the US as instruments of international traffic rather than as imported merchandise.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Yes — containers that are owned or leased by a foreign person, used primarily in international traffic, and not sold or otherwise transferred to a US person may qualify as instruments of international traffic (IIT) under 19 CFR 10.41a. When IIT status applies, the containers are not treated as imported merchandise and duties do not accrue. However, containers purchased outright for domestic use are dutiable entries under 8609000000.
Heading 8609 requires that the container be 'specially designed and equipped' for multimodal carriage — typically meaning it has standardized corner fittings, structural reinforcement for stacking, and dimensions conforming to ISO standards. General-purpose boxes, tanks, or enclosures not built to intermodal specifications would classify elsewhere (e.g., under Chapter 73 for steel structures or Chapter 39 for plastic containers).
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8609000000 | CONTAINERS FOR ONE OR MORE MODES OF TRANSPORT | $24.7M | 25.25% | $5.3M |
CONTAINERS FOR ONE OR MORE MODES OF TRANSPORT
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8609000000 | CONTAINERS FOR ONE OR MORE MODES OF TRANSPORT | $44.9M |
CONTAINERS FOR ONE OR MORE MODES OF TRANSPORT
969.2K no
PTS OF RAILWAY/TRAMWAY EXC LOCOMO/ROLLG STCK NESOI
HS 860799
TRUCK AXLES AND WHEELS & PTS, ETC FOR RAIL VEHICLS
HS 860719
PARTS, NESOI, OF LOCOMOTIVES
HS 860791
HOOKS & OTH COUPLING DEVICES BUFFERS & PTS THEREOF
HS 860730
AIRBRAKES AND PARTS THEREOF
HS 860721
TRUCK ASSEMBLIES FOR SELF-PROPELLED RAILWAY VEH
HS 860711
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $3.0M | $20.2M | +$17.2M |
| Florida | $717K | $3.8M | +$3.1M |
| Connecticut | $1.8M | $1.8M | +$25K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON, TX | $2.0M | $3.5M | +$1.6M |
| NEWARK, NJ | $793K | $4.6M | +$3.8M |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $747K | $4.6M | +$3.9M |