HS Code for Electric Motors

Electric motors point toward heading 8501 of the HTSUS (electric motors and generators). The subheading turns on the type of motor and its output power: very small motors of an output not exceeding 37.5 W point toward 8501.10, other DC motors and DC generators of an output not exceeding 750 W toward 8501.31, and single-phase AC motors toward 8501.40. Within each, the output rating in watts (and, for the smallest, the value per unit) drives the specific line. General rates run roughly 2.4% to 6.7%, so the type and output can move the estimated duty. Identifying the motor type (AC versus DC, and its output in watts) is the first step in exploring the most appropriate subheading.

Electric motors point toward heading 8501 of the HTSUS, which covers electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets). The heading is organized primarily by the size and type of the machine, so the motor's output power and whether it is AC or DC are the starting points.

The first branch is the very small motors. Motors of an output not exceeding 37.5 W point toward subheading 8501.10, which further separates small synchronous motors valued not over a threshold from other small AC motors, so both the output and, for the smallest units, the value per motor come into play.

Above that, the branch is by current type and output. Other DC motors and DC generators of an output not exceeding 750 W point toward subheading 8501.31, which is subdivided into wattage bands (over 37.5 W to 74.6 W, over 74.6 W to 735 W, over 735 W but under 746 W, and other) and separates DC generators onto their own line. Single-phase AC motors point toward subheading 8501.40, where gear motors are broken out across several output and value bands. Larger machines (three-phase AC motors and higher-output DC and AC motors) continue in the further subheadings of 8501, so reading the exact output rating matters.

A practical way to approach it is to identify the motor type (AC or DC, single- or multi-phase, motor or generator) first, then read its output in watts to select the size band. That sequence usually points toward a single most-appropriate subheading to explore. Two adjacencies are worth watching: a complete generating set (an engine coupled with a generator) points toward heading 8502 rather than 8501, and a motor that is really a dedicated part of a specific machine may in some cases be classified with that machine, but a stand-alone electric motor belongs in heading 8501.

General duty rates for electric motors vary with type and output. The small-motor lines under 8501.10 range from around 2.8% up to around 6.7% for small synchronous motors valued not over the threshold. DC motors and DC generators of an output not exceeding 750 W under 8501.31 run roughly 2.4% to 4%, with DC generators around 2.5%. Single-phase AC gear motors under 8501.40 run roughly 3.3% to 4%. So the motor type, output rating and (for the smallest units) value can move the estimated duty by several percentage points, which makes reading the exact rating worthwhile. Preferential rates under free trade agreements may reduce or eliminate these duties for qualifying origins. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.