U.S. imports of Universal AC/DC Electric Motors with Output Exceeding 37.5 W (HS 850120) totaled $18.4M in August 2026, imported from 54 countries.
Importers of Universal AC/DC Electric Motors with Output Exceeding 37.5 W paid $2.7M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 13.32% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataUniversal motors — designed to operate on both alternating and direct current — are widely used in portable power tools, household appliances, and light industrial equipment where variable-speed operation and high starting torque are required. The US schedule segments this heading into five output bands ranging from just above 37.5 W through 746 W and above, with each band carrying its own tariff treatment. Vietnam leads US imports under this heading, followed by Japan and China; imports from China are subject to Section 301 tariffs, which has contributed to Vietnam's prominence as an assembly and export hub for this product category.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
793 import shipments a month
A universal motor is specifically constructed with a wound armature and series field windings that allow it to operate efficiently on either AC or DC supply without modification. Standard AC motors (induction or synchronous types) and dedicated DC motors are classified under separate subheadings of heading 8501. If a motor is labeled or documented as 'universal' by the manufacturer and its design confirms AC/DC compatibility, it belongs under heading 850120 rather than the AC-only or DC-only subheadings.
Each motor must be classified individually based on its own rated output. A mixed shipment containing motors in different wattage bands requires separate line items on the entry, each citing the applicable 10-digit HTS code for that output range. Consolidating motors of different outputs under a single tariff line is a classification error that can result in penalties and redelivery demands. Packing lists and technical specs should clearly identify the rated output of each motor model in the shipment.
Subheading 11 of 17 in heading 8501
Subheading 850120 · $18.4M of $1.2B
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 850120 — Universal AC/DC Electric Motors with Output Exceeding 37.5 W, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8501204000 | Universal AC/DC Elec Motors Gt 74.6w But Lt= 735 W | $10.4M | 15.25% | 98.40% | $1.6M |
| 8501206000 | Universal AC/DC Elec Motors Gt=746 W | $5.0M | 9.20% | 50.94% | $462K |
| 8501202000 | Universal AC/DC Elec Motors Gt 37.5w But Lt=74.6 W | $4.6M | 13.48% | 98.77% | $616K |
| 8501205000 | Universal AC/DC Elec Motors Gt 735w But Lt 746 W | $6K | 11.77% | 100.00% | $764 |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8501203000 | Universal AC/DC Electric Motors, Gt 74.6 - Lt 746 W | $8.1M |
| 8501206000 | Universal AC/DC Elec Motors Gt=746 W | $3.7M |
| 8501202000 | Universal AC/DC Elec Motors Gt 37.5w But Lt=74.6 W | $2.2M |
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
China pays 40.6% duty; Germany 3.6%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
14.6% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 13.32% of imports for consumption.
ImportsExports
Imports
$18.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$14.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $232.1M of Universal AC/DC Electric Motors with Output Exceeding 37.5 W and exported $169.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.