SITCSection 8
U.S. imports of mechano-therapy appliances, massage apparatus & psychological aptitude-testing apparatus (SITC 87231) totaled $144.4M in April 2026, traded with 48 countries.
Importers of Mechano-Therapy Appliances, Massage Apparatus & Psychological Aptitude-Testing Apparatus paid $8.0M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 9.5% on $83.9M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataMechano-therapy appliances and massage apparatus occupy a commercially active niche at the intersection of medical devices and consumer wellness equipment, with classification hinging on whether a device is intended for professional clinical use or general consumer markets. Importers should note that devices marketed with therapeutic claims may trigger FDA oversight as medical devices, affecting admissibility and labeling requirements. Psychological aptitude-testing apparatus in this grouping tends to be specialized capital equipment procured by healthcare institutions and testing organizations. Correct classification between this heading and adjacent electrotherapy or diagnostic instrument headings is a frequent customs inquiry.
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Devices marketed with therapeutic or medical claims may be regulated as medical devices under FDA authority, requiring the importer to ensure the product is properly registered, labeled, and cleared or exempt before entry. Purely cosmetic or general-wellness massage products typically face a lower regulatory burden, but the line between the two is fact-specific. Consult a licensed customs broker or regulatory counsel to confirm admissibility status.
Mechano-therapy appliances operate through mechanical action — vibration, compression, traction, or manipulation — rather than electrical stimulation of tissue. Electrotherapy devices (e.g., TENS units, ultrasound therapy) fall under separate headings. The operating principle and primary mode of therapeutic action are the key classification criteria; devices combining both modalities require a principal-use or essential-character determination.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINA | $58.2M | $932K | -$57.3M |
| MEXICO | $46.1M | $2.4M | -$43.7M |
| CANADA | $7.9M | $10.7M | +$2.7M |
| COSTA RICA | $6.7M | $202K | -$6.5M |
| VIETNAM | $5.7M | $30K | -$5.7M |
Monthly import values over time