HSChapter 84
U.S. imports of mold bases (HS 848020) totaled $1.8M in April 2026, traded with 15 countries.
Importers of Mold Bases paid $312K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 22% on $1.4M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Mold Bases imports of $1.8M in April 2026 ran 31% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.4M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataMold bases are the precision-machined steel plate assemblies that provide the structural foundation for injection and compression mold tooling, and they are a foundational input for plastics, rubber, and die-casting production across automotive, consumer goods, and electronics manufacturing. South Korea leads US imports under this heading, followed by China — a supply concentration that creates Section 301 tariff exposure for Chinese-origin bases and makes Korean sourcing strategically attractive for cost management. Classification under 8480200000 is generally clean, but importers should ensure that complete mold assemblies (base plus cavity inserts) are not inadvertently entered as mold bases when the appropriate classification may be a more specific mold heading.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
A complete mold assembly — base plus cavity inserts — is typically classified according to the material being molded (e.g., 8480.71 for injection molds for rubber or plastics) rather than as a mold base under 8480.20. The mold base provision applies to the structural plate assembly alone. Importers should review the invoice carefully and classify each component or the complete assembly based on its condition at time of importation.
South Korea is a US free-trade-agreement partner under KORUS, and mold bases originating in South Korea that meet KORUS rules-of-origin requirements may qualify for preferential tariff treatment. Importers should obtain a valid certificate or certification of origin and confirm the applicable staging category under the agreement.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOREA, SOUTH | $693K | -- | -$693K |
| CHINA | $598K | -- | -$598K |
| CANADA | $446K | $80K | -$365K |
| MALAYSIA | -- | $123K | +$123K |
| MEXICO | $6K | $80K | +$74K |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8480200000 | MOLD BASES | $1.8M | 22.49% | $312K |
MOLD BASES
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8480200000 | MOLD BASES | $346K |
MOLD BASES
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DIGITAL PROCESSING UNITS, N.E.S.O.I.
HS 847150
PARTS & ACCESSORIES FOR ADP MACHINES & UNITS
HS 847330
PORT DIGTL AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESS MACH NOT > 10 KG
HS 847130
AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING STORAGE UNITS, N.E.S.O.I
HS 847170
AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING UNITS, N.E.S.O.I.
HS 847180
TURBOJET AND TURBOPROLLER PARTS
HS 841191
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAVANNAH, GA | $575K | -- | -$575K |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $340K | $54K | -$287K |
| DETROIT, MI | $326K | $8K | -$317K |