U.S. imports of Electrical Ignition and Starting Equipment for Internal Combustion Engines (SITC 77831) totaled $351.1M in August 2026, imported from 87 countries.
Importers of Electrical Ignition and Starting Equipment for Internal Combustion Engines paid $35.8M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.25% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSpark plugs, ignition coils, distributors, magnetos, glow plugs, and starter motors for spark-ignition and compression-ignition internal combustion engines are the core products in this heading, along with associated generators and cut-outs. These components are critical inputs for automotive OEM production and the aftermarket replacement parts sector. Section 301 tariffs have affected Chinese-origin automotive electrical components, and the ongoing transition toward electrified powertrains is reshaping long-term demand patterns even as ICE vehicle parc replacement demand remains substantial.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
17.3K import shipments a month
Yes. Both spark plugs (for spark-ignition engines) and glow plugs (for compression-ignition diesel engines) fall within this SITC heading, which covers ignition and starting equipment for both engine types. At the HTS 10-digit level, however, they are classified under distinct tariff lines, so the engine type and ignition method must be specified correctly on entry documentation.
EV powertrains eliminate the need for traditional ignition and starting equipment, so long-term demand growth for this category is tied to the ICE vehicle parc rather than new vehicle production trends. Importers and distributors serving the aftermarket should monitor fleet electrification rates by vehicle segment and geography, as replacement cycle demand for ICE ignition parts will persist for years even as new ICE vehicle sales plateau or decline.
Basic heading 69 of 642 in section 7
Basic heading 77831 · $351.1M of $172.0B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Mexico and Japan together supply 61% of it. China pays 40.7% duty; Mexico 0.8%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$351.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$164.1MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $4.1B of Electrical Ignition and Starting Equipment for Internal Combustion Engines.
Through August 2026 · exports 10 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.