U.S. imports of Electric Motor-Powered Winches and Capstans (HS 842531) totaled $18.5M in August 2026, imported from 37 countries.
Importers of Electric Motor-Powered Winches and Capstans paid $1.7M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.57% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataElectric winches and capstans serve critical load-pulling and line-tensioning roles across marine, offshore, logging, and heavy industrial sectors, and their classification under 842531 turns specifically on the electric motor drive — distinguishing them from hydraulic or manual variants. All US imports enter under tariff line 8425310100, and Chinese-origin goods face Section 301 exposure, a meaningful cost factor given China's dominant position as the leading supplier. Thailand and Canada are also notable sources. Buyers should verify motor voltage, rated line pull, and drum capacity specifications, as these affect both classification confidence and end-use compliance.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
375 import shipments a month
Both capstans and winches are covered by 842531 when powered by electric motors. A capstan is a vertical-axis rotating drum used primarily for hauling rope or cable, while a winch typically has a horizontal drum for winding cable under load. The HTS does not separate them at the 10-digit level; both classify under 8425310100 provided they are electrically driven.
To claim USMCA preferential treatment on goods from Canada, importers must have a valid certification of origin (self-certified by the exporter, producer, or importer) that demonstrates the product meets the applicable tariff-shift or regional-value-content rule of origin. Retaining supporting production records and bill-of-materials documentation is strongly recommended in case of a CBP audit.
Subheading 4 of 7 in heading 8425
Subheading 842531 · $18.5M of $128.8M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 842531 — Electric Motor-Powered Winches and Capstans, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8425310100 | Winches and Capstans Powered by Electric Motors | $17.3M | 9.57% | 71.18% | $1.7M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8425310100 | Winches and Capstans Powered by Electric Motors | $13.4M |
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 and Thailand together supply 51% of it. China pays 15.7% duty; France 1.4%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
26.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 9.57% of imports for consumption.
ImportsExports
Imports
$18.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$13.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $201.2M of Electric Motor-Powered Winches and Capstans and exported $105.4M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.