U.S. imports of Ingot Molds & Ladles for Metallurgy or Metal Foundries (HS 845420) totaled $2.3M in August 2026, imported from 15 countries.
Importers of Ingot Molds & Ladles for Metallurgy or Metal Foundries paid $105K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 4.57% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Ingot Molds & Ladles for Metallurgy or Metal Foundries imports of $2.3M in August 2026 ran 101% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.1M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataIngot molds and ladles are foundational consumable-to-capital equipment in primary metal production, used to transport and shape molten metal before further rolling or forging. The US tariff schedule subdivides molds by metal type — steel ingot molds (8454200010) versus non-steel (8454200060) — and separately enumerates ladles (8454200080 and 8454200090), making the alloy or metal type a classification-critical specification. China is the leading supplier, with Italy and Germany also significant, and China-origin goods in this heading may be subject to Section 301 tariffs.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
25 import shipments a month
The distinction at 8454200010 (steel ingot molds) versus 8454200060 (other ingot molds) reflects differences in duty treatment and statistical tracking tied to the steelmaking industry specifically. Importers must identify the metal for which the mold is designed — not the material the mold is made of — to classify correctly. A mold designed to cast aluminum ingots, for example, belongs under the non-steel line even if the mold itself is made of steel.
A ladle is a transfer vessel used to move and pour molten metal, while an ingot mold is a fixed receptacle into which molten metal is poured to solidify into a specific shape. Both are covered under 8454.20, but they are enumerated in separate 10-digit lines. The functional distinction — transfer versus shaping — determines which line applies, and importers should include equipment specifications in their entry documentation.
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Subheading 3 of 4 in heading 8454
Subheading 845420 · $2.3M of $41.7M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8454200060 | Ingot Molds Except for Steel Ingots | $1.9M | 3.25% | 100.00% | $63K |
| 8454200080 | Ladles Used in Metallury or Foundries | $356K | 11.64% | 72.16% | $41K |
| 8454200010 | Ingot Molds for Steel Ingots | $3K | 15.00% | 100.00% | $512 |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8454200090 | Ladles Used in Metallurgy or Foundries; Ingot Mold | $272K |
| 8454200010 | Ingot Molds for Steel Ingots | $112K |
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.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Germany and China together supply 87% of it. China pays 22.5% duty; Germany 0.4%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
4.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 4.57% of imports for consumption.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$385KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $11.3M of Ingot Molds & Ladles for Metallurgy or Metal Foundries and exported $5.8M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.