U.S. imports of Electrical Sound Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles & Cycles (HS 851230) totaled $18.0M in August 2026, imported from 34 countries.
Importers of Electrical Sound Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles & Cycles paid $2.3M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.59% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Electrical Sound Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles & Cycles imports of $18.0M in August 2026 ran 23% above the year-to-date monthly average of $14.6M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataElectric horns, radar detectors, and other acoustic signaling devices for motor vehicles and cycles occupy a commercially distinct niche within automotive electronics, with Japan and the Philippines leading US supply under this heading. The US tariff schedule separates electric horns (8512300020), radar detectors (8512300030), and residual sound signaling equipment (8512300040 and 8512300050), making product-level classification important — particularly for radar detectors, which face additional regulatory scrutiny in some jurisdictions. South Korea and Mexico are also notable sources, reflecting both OEM-tier and aftermarket supply channels.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.0K import shipments a month
Radar detectors (8512300030) are not subject to a blanket federal import prohibition in the US, but their sale or use is regulated at the state level, and commercial vehicle operators face federal restrictions. Importers should also verify FCC equipment authorization requirements, as radar detectors must comply with applicable radio frequency regulations before they can be marketed in the US.
Electric horns (8512300020) are dedicated acoustic warning devices that produce a single-tone or multi-tone alert signal, typically for traffic safety. The NESOI sound signaling lines cover other acoustic devices — such as backup alarms, proximity warning systems, or multi-function alert units — that do not meet the specific description of a horn. Classification should be based on the device's primary design function and construction.
Subheading 3 of 5 in heading 8512
Subheading 851230 · $18.0M of $545.8M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8512300040 | Signaling Equip for Motor Vehicles or Cycles, NESOI | $8.2M | 7.29% | 64.35% | $594K |
| 8512300030 | Radar Detectors of A Kind Used in Motor Vehicles | $6.3M | 15.01% | 100.00% | $943K |
| 8512300020 | Electric Horns for Motor Vehicles | $3.8M | 19.98% | 98.43% | $756K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8512300050 | Sound Signaling Equipment for Mtr Vhl/Cycles | $7.4M |
| 8512300030 | Radar Detectors of A Kind Used in Motor Vehicles | $54K |
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
$18.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$7.5MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $171.8M of Electrical Sound Signaling Equipment for Motor Vehicles & Cycles and exported $94.3M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Indonesia pays 19.5% duty; Mexico 0.3%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
16.4% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.59% of imports for consumption.
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