Harmonized System
U.S. imports of non-automatic electric arc welding machines & apparatus (HS 851539) totaled $13.5M in August 2026, imported from 24 countries.
Importers of Non-Automatic Electric Arc Welding Machines & Apparatus paid $1.8M in duties in August 2026, an effective tariff rate of 13.25% of the $13.5M imported — duty actually collected as a share of that value, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataImports of Chinese-origin arc welding equipment under this heading are subject to Section 301 tariffs, making origin and classification review a priority for procurement teams. The US schedule distinguishes three configurations: AC transformer-type non-rotating welders (8515390020), other non-rotating arc welding machines (8515390040), and rotating-type arc welding machines (8515390060). Mexico leads US supply, followed by China and Vietnam, reflecting both nearshore manufacturing and global electronics supply chains. Plasma arc equipment falls within this heading provided the machine is not fully or partly automatic, a distinction that frequently requires careful technical documentation at entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
449 shipments/mo
The key criterion is whether the machine requires continuous manual operator intervention to control the welding process. Machines with automatic feed, sequencing, or positioning controls — even partial — typically fall under the fully or partly automatic subheadings rather than 851539. Importers should obtain detailed technical specifications from the manufacturer and consult a licensed customs broker to confirm classification before entry.
Yes — electric plasma arc welding machines are explicitly included within this heading, provided they are not fully or partly automatic. If the plasma arc unit incorporates automatic controls, it would instead fall under the automatic arc welding subheadings of heading 8515.
HSChapter 85
Subheading 5 of 8 in heading 8515
Subheading 851539 · $13.5M of $179.6M
Trade Directory
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ImportsExports
Imports
$13.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$10.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
YoY · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $130.7M of Non-Automatic Electric Arc Welding Machines & Apparatus.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8515390020 | Electric Welders, Arc, AC Transformer Type,Non-Rot | $10.0M | 12.05% | 74.44% | $1.2M |
| 8515390040 | Arc Welding Machines, Non-Rotating Type, NESOI | $3.0M | 18.07% | 75.17% | $536K |
| 8515390060 | Electric Arc Welding Machines, Rotating Type | $516K | 8.90% | 28.15% | $46K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
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
Vietnam and Mexico together supply 59% of it. China pays 38.7% duty; Canada <0.1%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
26.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 13.25% of total import value.