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HSChapter 85
U.S. imports of electrical lighting & visual signaling equipment for motor vehicles (except bicycles) (HS 851220) totaled $347.8M in July 2026, traded with 59 countries.
Importers of Electrical Lighting & Visual Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles (Except Bicycles) paid $29.0M in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 20% on $147.7M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: July 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.
19.6K shipments/mo
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.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8512202040 | Lightg.equip. for 8701.21-29,8702-8705 or 8711 | $230.8M | 8.90% | 41.51% | $20.5M |
| 8512204040 | Vis Sig. Equip. for 8701.21-29,8702-8705,8711 | $78.8M | 6.35% | 44.48% | $5.0M |
| 8512202080 | Lighting Equipment for Motor Vehicles, NESOI | $29.8M | 7.61% | 36.52% | $2.3M |
| 8512204080 | Visual Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles, Nes | $8.5M | 14.08% | 70.55% | $1.2M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8512202000 | Lighting Equipment for Motor Vehicles | $63.1M |
| 8512204000 | Visual Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles | $47.5M |
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.
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ImportsExports
Imports
$347.8MYoY · Pro
Exports
$110.7MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
Mexico and Taiwan together supply 58% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
56.6% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 8.34%.