U.S. imports of Electromagnetic Couplings, Clutches & Brakes (HS 850520) totaled $9.3M in August 2026, imported from 38 countries.
Importers of Electromagnetic Couplings, Clutches & Brakes paid $1.1M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.87% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataElectromagnetic clutches and brakes convert electrical signals into precise mechanical engagement or retardation, making them essential motion-control components in machine tools, packaging equipment, printing presses, and industrial automation systems. Germany leads US import supply for this heading — reflecting the country's deep mechanical engineering and precision-drive manufacturing base — followed by Japan and China. The heading consolidates under a single 10-digit line (8505200000), so classification disputes typically arise at the boundary with mechanical clutches of Chapter 84 or with electric motors of heading 8501; the electromagnetic actuation mechanism is the key distinguishing feature. No food, drug, or agricultural admissibility requirements apply.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
790 import shipments a month
The critical factor is the actuation mechanism: electromagnetic clutches and brakes engage or disengage via an electromagnetic coil energized by an electrical signal, whereas mechanical clutches rely on friction, springs, or hydraulic pressure without electromagnetic actuation. Technical documentation — including wiring diagrams, coil specifications, and operating principles — should accompany the entry to support classification under 850520 rather than the mechanical clutch provisions of Chapter 84.
Electromagnetic brakes that are general-purpose motion-control components are classified under 850520. However, if a brake is specifically designed and presented as a part of a particular machine (e.g., an elevator or crane), it may be classifiable as a part of that machine under the relevant Chapter 84 or 85 heading. The intended use and degree of specificity to the host machine govern the classification analysis.
Subheading 4 of 4 in heading 8505
Subheading 850520 · $9.3M of $116.6M
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8505200000 | Electromagnetic Couplings, Clutches and Brakes | $9.4M | 11.87% | 96.75% | $1.1M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8505200000 | Electromagnetic Couplings, Clutches and Brakes | $6.5M |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$9.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$6.5MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $97.6M of Electromagnetic Couplings, Clutches & Brakes and exported $86.4M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Germany and Japan together supply 58% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
3.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 11.87% of imports for consumption.