Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. exports of Machines and Appliances for Testing Mechanical Properties of Materials (SITC 87453) totaled $39.0M in August 2026.
Importers of Machines and Appliances for Testing Mechanical Properties of Materials paid $1.4M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.61% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataUniversal testing machines, hardness testers, tensile-strength rigs, and elasticity-measurement equipment used across metals, wood, textiles, and paper industries fall within this heading, reflecting their role as essential quality-assurance tools in manufacturing and materials research. The breadth of covered materials — from Rockwell and Brinell hardness testers for metals to tensile frames used in textile mills — means that the specific test method and material type are important factors when distinguishing this heading from other measuring or inspection equipment. Many of these machines are subject to Section 301 tariff considerations depending on country of origin, making origin documentation a routine compliance concern.
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456 import shipments a month
Hardness testers (Rockwell, Brinell, Vickers, Shore, etc.) are classified here because they measure a mechanical property of a material by applying a controlled force or indentation. Instruments that measure dimensional characteristics, surface finish, or optical properties are classified under different headings, so the physical principle of measurement is the key distinguishing factor.
Machines under this heading imported from origins subject to Section 301 tariffs may carry additional duties on top of the normal column 1 rate. Importers should verify the current Section 301 list status for the specific country of origin and HTS subheading before entry, as coverage and rates have been subject to ongoing review and modification.
Basic heading 86 of 419 in section 8
Basic heading 87453 · $39.0M of $18.4B
ImportsExports
Imports
$14.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$39.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $162.5M of Machines and Appliances for Testing Mechanical Properties of Materials.
Through August 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
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entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.