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HSChapter 84
U.S. imports of laser-operated machine tools for material removal (HS 845611) totaled $46.0M in April 2026, traded with 29 countries.
Last updated: April 2026 dataLaser machine tools use focused photon energy to cut, drill, engrave, or ablate metals and other materials with high precision, and are a cornerstone of modern flexible manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, and electronics fabrication. The US schedule separates numerically controlled metalworking laser tools (8456111010) from non-NC metalworking units (8456111050), tools dedicated to printed circuit board manufacture (8456117000), and other laser processes (8456119000). Germany and Japan are the leading US suppliers, with Italy and China also significant. Chinese-origin laser machine tools are subject to Section 301 tariffs, making supplier diversification toward German or Japanese sources a common procurement strategy for cost-sensitive buyers.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The US schedule carves out a dedicated line (8456117000) for laser tools used to manufacture printed circuits, printed circuit boards, and similar electronic assemblies. This distinction requires the importer to document the machine's intended end-use and design specifications. A general-purpose laser cutter that happens to be used on PCBs does not automatically qualify for this line — the machine must be specifically designed for that application.
Under the current US schedule, NC and non-NC laser metalworking tools are classified in separate 10-digit lines (8456111010 and 8456111050 respectively), and duty treatment can differ. NC status is established by the machine's control system documentation. For Chinese-origin equipment, Section 301 applies regardless of NC status, so the NC distinction primarily affects the base MFN rate calculation.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAPAN | $14.4M | $159K | -$14.2M |
| GERMANY | $11.1M | $52K | -$11.0M |
| CANADA | $480K | $7.6M | +$7.1M |
| CHINA | $4.4M | $419K | -$3.9M |
| SWITZERLAND | $4.4M | $241K | -$4.1M |
Monthly import values over time