HS Codes for Automotive Parts

What HS code should I use for car parts?

It depends on the specific part. Body panels, bumpers, doors, suspension, gearboxes: heading 8708 (parts of motor vehicles). Engine parts (pistons, valves, cylinder heads): heading 8409. Oil/air filters: heading 8421. Batteries: heading 8507. Wiring harnesses: heading 8544. When in doubt, 8708.99.97 is the catch-all for vehicle parts not more specifically classified.

Can I ship a car battery by courier?

Lead-acid starter batteries are classified as Dangerous Goods Class 8 (corrosive). Standard parcel courier services generally do not accept them unless shipped in specific DG-approved packaging with MSDS documentation. Lithium-ion EV batteries are DG Class 9 — even more restrictive. Specialist DG freight services are required for batteries. Contact Cargosender for DG-capable carrier options.

What import duty applies to Portuguese auto parts exported to the USA?

EU-origin automotive parts face 2.5% MFN duty in the USA under HTSUS 8708. There is no EU-USA FTA, so no preferential rate applies. Note that proposed US 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and parts were active in 2025 — verify the current tariff schedule before shipping as this is subject to change under US trade policy decisions.

What HS code covers airbag modules?

Airbag inflator modules (the complete airbag assembly including the propellant) are classified under HS 8708.95 (safety airbags with inflatable system). These are Dangerous Goods Class 9 (UN3268 — airbag modules) and require DG handling, packaging and declarations. Separate airbag propellant canisters may be classified differently and face additional explosives regulations.

How are EV batteries classified for customs?

Lithium-ion battery cells are HS 8507.60.00. Complete EV battery packs are also typically 8507.60.00 (or 8507.80.00 for other batteries). EU import duty is 2.7%. For trade purposes, EV batteries are a highly sensitive political topic — anti-dumping investigations and countervailing duties are active against Chinese EV battery imports in the EU. Origin declaration is critical.

How do I find the correct HS code for an automotive part using official sources?

Use the EU TARIC database (ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric) for EU import classification — enter a keyword such as 'shock absorber' or browse Chapter 87. For UK: gov.uk/trade-tariff. For USA: hts.usitc.gov. For complex parts, request a Binding Tariff Information (BTI) ruling from your national customs authority (Portugal: AT — Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira) for a legally binding classification decision that covers all future shipments of that specific part for 3 years.

What happens if I use the wrong HS code for automotive parts?

Using an incorrect HS code can result in: incorrect duty calculation (underpayment triggers post-clearance demand with interest and penalties; overpayment means unnecessary cost), customs detention while reclassification is assessed, and in serious cases criminal liability for deliberate misclassification. For high-volume B2B automotive part imports, customs authorities may audit historical shipments and issue retrospective duty assessments covering multiple years. Anti-dumping duty misclassification — declaring Chinese-origin parts under a code that avoids ADD — constitutes fraud.

How does country of origin affect import duty on automotive parts?

Country of origin — not country of shipment — determines the applicable duty rate. EU-origin auto parts entering the UK under the TCA attract 0% UK duty, subject to Rules of Origin (typically 40–45% EU/UK content for automotive products). Parts of Chinese origin may face EU anti-dumping duties in addition to MFN rates. Always declare the country where the part was manufactured, not the country it was shipped from. A part made in China and shipped via a German warehouse is still Chinese-origin for duty purposes.

Are there EU anti-dumping duties on automotive parts from China?

Yes — the EU has imposed anti-dumping duties on several Chinese automotive product categories. Notable examples include certain steel road wheels (heading 8708.70) and aluminium alloy wheels, where ADD rates of 14–28% apply on top of the standard 4.5% MFN rate. Check the EU TARIC database for current anti-dumping measures (TARIC measure type 'ADD') for your specific HS code and Chinese origin before importing. Anti-dumping investigations on Chinese auto parts are ongoing and new measures can be introduced.

What is Binding Tariff Information (BTI) and when should I request one for auto parts?

A BTI is a legally binding written ruling from a customs authority confirming the correct HS classification for a specific product. Valid for 3 years across the EU. Apply via your national customs authority (AT in Portugal, via the e-customs section of the Portal das Finanças). BTI is particularly valuable for complex or novel automotive parts — new EV components, hybrid drivetrain parts, or multi-function assemblies — where classification is not straightforward. A BTI protects you from post-clearance reclassification disputes and provides supply chain cost certainty.

What is the difference between a 6-digit HS code and the full EU TARIC or USA HTS code for auto parts?

The 6-digit HS code (e.g., 8708.80) is the internationally standardised level used in trade statistics and FTA preferential origin calculations. The EU extends this to 8 digits (CN8 — Combined Nomenclature, e.g., 8708.80.20) for import duty purposes, and to 10 digits (TARIC) for specific measures such as anti-dumping duties or quotas. The USA uses 10-digit HTS codes with different sub-categorisations. Always use the full national tariff code on your customs declaration — the 6-digit code alone is insufficient for EU or US customs clearance.

What are common HS code misclassification mistakes for automotive parts?

The most common errors are: (1) Using Chapter 39 (plastics) or Chapter 73 (steel) codes for parts specifically designed for motor vehicles — Chapter 87 typically takes priority over material-based chapters. (2) Classifying electrical automotive components (sensors, ECUs, alternators) under Chapter 85 when they qualify as motor vehicle parts under heading 8708. (3) Using the generic catch-all 8708.99.97 when a more specific sub-heading exists — for example, shock absorbers belong under 8708.80, not 8708.99. Specific classification always overrides a catch-all heading.

What USA Section 301 tariffs apply to Chinese automotive parts?

Chinese-origin automotive parts listed under Chapter 87 (heading 8708) face 25% Section 301 additional tariffs under USTR List 2. This is on top of the standard HTS duty of 2.5% — making the combined effective rate approximately 27.5% on most Chinese auto parts entering the USA. Some parts may have temporary exclusions — check the USTR Section 301 exclusion list at ustr.gov before importing. Vietnamese, Thai and EU-origin parts are not subject to Section 301 and enter the USA at the standard 2.5% MFN rate.

Do automotive parts need CE marking or type approval to enter the EU?

CE marking applies to specific automotive aftermarket components under defined EU directives: lighting products (UN ECE Regulation compliance), braking systems and certain safety-critical items. Most structural replacement parts do not require CE marking per se. However, replacement parts for road-use vehicles must meet the original OEM specification or equivalent EU regulation to be legally sold as aftermarket parts. For emissions-related parts (catalytic converters, EGR valves, fuel injection systems), Euro emissions standards compliance is required. Airbag systems: UN ECE R94/R95 compliance.

How should I declare used or refurbished automotive parts on a commercial invoice?

Declare used or refurbished auto parts clearly: state 'used automotive parts — second-hand' or 'remanufactured/reconditioned part'. Declare a realistic second-hand market value, not the original new price. Include the part name, part number, vehicle make/model compatibility, and the HS code. Some markets (Brazil, India) have additional import restrictions or higher duties on used parts — confirm destination-country rules before shipping. Customs authorities scrutinise used parts for accurate valuation; declaring a remanufactured gearbox at scrap metal value will trigger examination.