Harmonized System
U.S. imports of Sinkers, Needles & Other Stitch-Forming Articles for Knitting Machines (HS 844851) totaled $806K in August 2026, imported from 17 countries.
Importers of Sinkers, Needles & Other Stitch-Forming Articles for Knitting Machines paid $93K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.58% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Sinkers, Needles & Other Stitch-Forming Articles for Knitting Machines imports of $806K in August 2026 ran 11% above the year-to-date monthly average of $728K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPrecision stitch-forming components — latch needles, other knitting needles, and sinkers — are the consumable wear parts that determine fabric quality and machine throughput on weft and warp knitting equipment. The US schedule breaks this heading into latch needles (8448511000), other knitting machine needles (8448513000 and 8448514000), and a residual catch-all for sinkers and other stitch-forming articles (8448515000). Germany dominates supply, reflecting that country's concentration of high-precision textile machinery component manufacturers, with India and Japan also significant sources. Importers should verify that needle specifications — gauge, butt geometry, and hook profile — match the machine make and model, as misclassification between latch and other needle types is a recurring customs issue.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
102 import shipments a month
Latch needles have a pivoting latch that closes the hook during stitch formation and are specifically enumerated under 8448511000. All other knitting machine needles — including compound, spring-beard, and similar types — fall under 8448513000 or 8448514000. The physical mechanism of the hook closure is the key classification criterion, so importers should document needle type with technical drawings or manufacturer specifications.
Imports from certain origins may be subject to Section 301 tariffs depending on country of origin. Germany and Japan are not currently subject to Section 301 measures, but shipments originating in China should be reviewed carefully, as Section 301 exposure can apply to precision textile machinery components. Consult a licensed customs broker to confirm the applicable duty treatment for your specific supplier.
Subheading 7 of 11 in heading 8448
Subheading 844851 · $806K of $11.8M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 844851 — Sinkers, Needles & Other Stitch-Forming Articles for Knitting Machines, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8448511000 | Latch Needles for Knitting Machines | $458K | 10.99% | 100.00% | $50K |
| 8448515000 | Sinker, Needle,&other Art Used in Form Stitch, NESOI | $283K | 11.04% | 99.21% | $31K |
| 8448513000 | Needles for Knitting Machines, NESOI | $65K | 18.08% | 100.00% | $12K |
Sinker, Needle,&other Art Used in Form Stitch, NESOI
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8448514000 | Needles for Knitting Machines | $266K |
| 8448515000 | Sinker, Needle,&other Art Used in Form Stitch, NESOI | $64K |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$806KYoY · free account
Exports
$331KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $9.8M of Sinkers, Needles & Other Stitch-Forming Articles for Knitting Machines and exported $7.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Germany and China together supply 57% of it. China pays 20.0% duty; Germany 9.9%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
0.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 11.58% of imports for consumption.