U.S. imports of Iron or Steel Skid Chain (SITC 69921) totaled $2.7M in August 2026, imported from 15 countries.
Importers of Iron or Steel Skid Chain paid $1.7M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 65.29% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Iron or Steel Skid Chain imports of $2.7M in August 2026 ran 86% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.4M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSkid chains—tire chains used to improve traction on snow and ice—are a seasonally driven import commodity with demand concentrated in northern and mountain-state markets. Iron and steel skid chains from China have been subject to Section 301 tariffs, and the product's relatively narrow end use makes origin diversification more challenging than for general-purpose chain. Importers should verify that chain dimensions and link specifications conform to SAE and state-level regulations governing tire chain use on public roads.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
85 import shipments a month
Individual states set their own rules on when tire chains are required or permitted, and some states specify maximum allowable chain dimensions to prevent road damage. While there is no single federal product standard for skid chains, importers selling into the US market should ensure their products comply with SAE J1232 guidelines and the specific chain-use regulations of their target states.
Demand for skid chains is heavily concentrated in the pre-winter period, typically August through October for US retail. Importers generally need to clear customs and position inventory well before the selling season, making accurate lead-time planning and early duty payment critical. Section 301 tariff exposure on Chinese-origin product adds cost pressure that importers often try to offset through forward purchasing or alternative sourcing.
Basic heading 494 of 766 in section 6
Basic heading 69921 · $2.7M of $27.0B
Trade Directory
List your company and tag the 6-digit products you trade, so the companies trading them can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China and Austria together supply 85% of it. China pays 75.0% duty; Lithuania 47.5%.
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
$2.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$123KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $20.7M of Iron or Steel Skid Chain and exported $2.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.