U.S. exports of Automatic Industrial Sewing Machines (Non-Household) (HS 845221) totaled $3.3M in August 2026.
Importers of Automatic Industrial Sewing Machines (Non-Household) paid $389K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 13.17% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Automatic Industrial Sewing Machines (Non-Household) imports of $2.7M in August 2026 ran 25% below the year-to-date monthly average of $3.6M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCNC-controlled and programmable automatic sewing units — including specialized machines designed to join footwear soles to uppers (8452211000) and general-purpose automatic units (8452219000) — serve apparel, footwear, automotive upholstery, and technical textile manufacturers. Japan leads US imports under this heading, reflecting the country's long-standing dominance in precision industrial sewing technology, with China and Taiwan as secondary sources. Automatic units typically carry higher unit values than non-automatic industrial machines, making accurate valuation and classification critical for duty and statistical purposes.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
117 import shipments a month
An automatic sewing machine under 845221 is one that performs its sewing cycle — including positioning, stitching, and thread cutting — under programmatic or CNC control without continuous manual guidance. A non-automatic industrial machine requires an operator to guide the work throughout the stitch cycle and would fall under 845229. The degree of automation, not the machine's size or output speed, is the classification determinant.
Classification depends on which component imparts the essential character. If the sewing head is the principal functional element and the robot arm is ancillary, the unit may still classify as a sewing machine under 845221. However, if the robotic handling system is the dominant element, classification could shift to Chapter 84 robot headings. A binding ruling from CBP is advisable before importing complex integrated systems.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$3.3MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $42.6M of Automatic Industrial Sewing Machines (Non-Household) and exported $28.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 845221 — Automatic Industrial Sewing Machines (Non-Household), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Subheading 1 of 5 in heading 8452
Subheading 845221 · $3.3M of $10.4M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8452219000 | Sewing Machines, Automatic Units, NESOI | $3.0M | 13.17% | 91.13% | $389K |
| 8452211000 | Sew Mach, Auto, Design to Join Footwear Soles&uppers | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8452210000 | Sew Mach, Exc Household Type, Automatic Units | $3.3M |
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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Mexico and Canada together take 97% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
1.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 13.17% of imports for consumption.