Importing Auto Parts into the USA
Compare origins on transit and duty exposure — and the tariff and safety rules that apply to every part
Auto parts are where US tariffs stack most visibly. A Section 232 tariff applies to many parts whatever their origin, Chinese parts carry Section 301 duties on top of that analysis, and the country layer differs for India, the EU and Japan. Which layer applies depends on the exact part, its classification and where it was substantially made.
This page compares the origins we ship from and sets out the rules every importer of auto parts works within. Our licensed customs brokers confirm classification and duty before you order; each row links to a detailed origin guide.
Compare origins for auto parts
| Origin | Transit | Duty exposure | Typical load |
|---|---|---|---|
 Auto Parts from China | About 2–3 weeks to Los Angeles from South China; longer to the East Coast | Section 232 on listed auto parts; China-specific Section 301 duties; AD/CVD on some products | Mixed-SKU FCL or LCL; dense parts weigh out before they cube out |
 Auto & Engineering Parts from India | Several weeks via Suez or the Cape, confirmed per booking | Section 232 on listed auto parts; other parts at the normal duty plus any surcharge in force for India | Palletized forgings and castings, weight-limited; mixed-SKU LCL |
 Auto Parts from Germany | 10–14 days on the water to the East Coast; air from Frankfurt 1–3 days | Section 232 on listed parts, with the EU all-in cap; other parts topped up under the EU Section 301 measure | Mixed-SKU LCL or FCL; dense parts weigh out before they cube out |
 JDM Engines & Parts from Japan | About 11–20 days Yokohama to Los Angeles/Long Beach | Section 232 on auto parts (engines, gearboxes), capped for Japan; other parts topped up under the Section 301 layer | Drained engines on pallets; a 40ft often weighs out before it fills |
Planning guidance only — rates, surcharges and transits change, and every shipment is quoted on its own facts.
US rules that apply whatever the origin
Section 232 on auto parts
Since May 2025 a Section 232 tariff has applied to listed auto parts from every origin, with a negotiated all-in cap for EU and Japanese parts and an exception for USMCA-compliant parts. Whether a part is on the list is decided by its HTS line, so classification comes first.
Country layers
Parts outside Section 232 pay the normal duty plus whatever layer applies to their origin: China-specific Section 301 duties for Chinese parts, the Section 301 top-up for EU and Japanese goods, and the current surcharge for India. Goods under Section 232 are excluded from the newer Section 301 layer.
Origin and marking
Each part must be marked with its true country of origin — where it was substantially transformed — and mixed shipments are classified and marked line by line. Parts finished in a third country from Chinese components can still carry Chinese duties.
DOT and EPA rules
Some equipment must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards and carry DOT markings — tires, lighting, glazing, brake hoses and seat belts among them — and engines and emission-related parts raise EPA and, in California, CARB questions, especially for engine swaps.
Forced labor and metals
Aluminum and steel parts are enforcement priorities under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and metal content can trigger Section 232 metals duties. Keep supplier documentation that traces the metal back to its source.
Dangerous goods and preparation
Engines and gearboxes must be drained of fuel and oil; airbag modules, batteries and some components ship as dangerous goods. We confirm the preparation with the supplier before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the import duty on auto parts?
Are auto parts from India cheaper to import than from China?
Can I import a used engine from Japan?
Do I need DOT approval for imported parts?
Get a Quote: Auto Parts
Tell us what you are buying and from where — we quote door to door, with every exclusion listed up front, and can compare origins side by side.
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