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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of electrical lighting & visual signaling equipment for motor vehicles (except bicycles) (HS 851220) totaled $397.3M in April 2026, traded with 57 countries.
Importers of Electrical Lighting & Visual Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles (Except Bicycles) paid $35.0M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 21% on $170.1M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataAutomotive lighting and visual signaling equipment — headlamps, fog lights, turn-signal assemblies, and related units for motorcycles, trucks, and passenger vehicles — is a high-volume input for the North American automotive supply chain. Mexico leads US imports under this heading, reflecting deep integration with OEM assembly networks under USMCA, with Taiwan and South Korea as significant additional sources. The US tariff schedule subdivides this heading by vehicle type, with dedicated lines (8512202040 and 8512204040) covering equipment for tractors, buses, trucks, and motorcycles classified under HTS chapters 8701–8705 and 8711, and residual NESOI lines for other motor vehicles. Correct vehicle-type classification is critical, as misclassification between these subheadings can affect duty liability.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The dedicated lines (8512202040 for lighting, 8512204040 for visual signaling) apply specifically to equipment designed for use on vehicles classified under HTS headings 8701.21–8701.29, 8702–8705, or 8711 — covering tractors, buses, trucks, and motorcycles. Equipment for other motor vehicles not in those headings falls into the NESOI lines. Importers should confirm the vehicle type the equipment is designed for and match it to the correct HTS vehicle heading.
Much of Mexico's supply under this heading consists of OEM-grade assemblies and subassemblies produced within integrated North American automotive supply chains, often manufactured in maquiladora facilities. This means the goods frequently qualify for USMCA preferential treatment, but importers must verify rules-of-origin compliance and obtain appropriate certification to claim the preference.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $181.5M | $32.0M | -$149.5M |
| CANADA | $24.6M | $61.2M | +$36.6M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $52.3M | $614K | -$51.7M |
| TAIWAN | $48.7M | $35K | -$48.6M |
| JAPAN | $20.9M | $1.2M | -$19.7M |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8512202040 | LIGHTG.EQUIP. FOR 8701.21-29,8702-8705 OR 8711 | $264.7M | 21.81% | $25.3M |
| 8512204040 | VIS SIG. EQUIP. FOR 8701.21-29,8702-8705,8711 | $88.2M | 16.39% | $6.7M |
| 8512202080 | LIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, NESOI | $37.1M | 24.38% | $1.9M |
| 8512204080 | VISUAL SIGNALING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, NES | $7.3M | 19.47% | $1.0M |
LIGHTG.EQUIP. FOR 8701.21-29,8702-8705 OR 8711
VIS SIG. EQUIP. FOR 8701.21-29,8702-8705,8711
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, NESOI
VISUAL SIGNALING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, NES
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8512202000 | LIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES | $67.0M |
| 8512204000 | VISUAL SIGNALING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES | $50.0M |
LIGHTING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
4.7M no
VISUAL SIGNALING EQUIPMENT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
1.6M no
MACH FOR RECP/CONVR/TRANS/REGN OF VOICE/IMAGE/DATA
HS 851762
SOLID-STATE NON-VOL SEMICONDUCTOR STORAGE DEVICES
HS 852351
SMARTPHONES
HS 851713
PROCESSORS AND CONTROLLERS, ELECTRONIC INTEG CIRCT
HS 854231
CONTROLS ETC W ELECT APPR F ELECT CONT NOV 1000 V
HS 853710
STATIC CONVERTERS; ADP POWER SUPPLIES
HS 850440
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAREDO, TX | $131.8M | $22.5M | -$109.3M |
| DETROIT, MI | $23.6M | $36.2M | +$12.5M |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $51.9M | $1.3M | -$50.7M |