HS Code for Electric Motor: 8501.10 to 8501.64 by Output Power

Electric motors span a huge range from milliwatt micromotors for consumer devices to multi-megawatt industrial motors for steel mills and ship propulsion. HTS 8501 classification is driven by output power and current type. The 2026 duty stack for Chinese-origin motors is heavy due to Section 301 plus Section 122 plus Section 232 derivative on the steel content.

This guide covers the HTS 8501 power-band split, the country-specific duty stack, the USMCA chapter 85 RVC test, and worked examples for typical industrial procurement.

Heading 8501 structure

HTS 8501 covers electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets). Subheadings:

• 8501.10: Motors of output not exceeding 37.5 W (small fan motors, clock motors).
• 8501.20: Universal AC/DC motors of output exceeding 37.5 W (power tools, vacuum cleaners).
• 8501.31 to 8501.34: DC motors by power band.
• 8501.40: Other AC single-phase motors.
• 8501.51: AC multi-phase motors of output not exceeding 750 W.
• 8501.52: AC multi-phase motors above 750 W but not exceeding 75 kW.
• 8501.53: AC multi-phase motors above 75 kW.
• 8501.61 to 8501.64: AC generators.

The functional split between motor types (PMSM, induction, SR) doesn't change the subheading within 8501.52 or 8501.53. The split is purely by current type and rated power.

Worked example: Chinese 7.5 HP industrial motor

100,000 USD shipment of HTS 8501.52 7.5 HP (5.5 kW) three-phase induction motors from China.

Effective rate 70.1 percent. Chinese industrial motors face heavy stacking.

Worked example: Korean WEG-equivalent industrial motor

100,000 USD of HTS 8501.52 Korean industrial motors under KORUS.

Effective rate 35.3 percent. Section 232 derivative on the steel content and Section 122 on the full value stack additively. KORUS waives the MFN but does NOT carve out Section 122. Korean motors are still about 35 percentage points cheaper landed than Chinese equivalent on the same kW rating because the Section 301 layer is absent.

Worked example: WEG Brazilian motor

200,000 USD of HTS 8501.53 large industrial motors from WEG Brazil.

Effective rate 40.6 percent. Brazilian motors carry meaningful Section 122 plus Section 232 derivative. WEG remains a major US supplier due to product reliability and dealer network rather than landed cost advantage.

Worked example: Mexican USMCA-qualifying motor

A Mexican motor builder uses US-sourced silicon steel laminations, US-sourced copper winding wire, Mexican-cast aluminum housing, Mexican labor. 100,000 USD shipment of HTS 8501.52.

Non-originating: 6 percent (Germany bearings). RVC = 100 - 6 = 94 percent. Qualifies easily.

Effective rate 0.35 percent. Mexican-assembled USMCA-qualifying motor with US silicon steel and US copper wire is the cheapest landed cost path.

Worked example: Mexican motor with Chinese inputs (fails USMCA)

Same Mexican motor builder but using Chinese silicon steel laminations and Chinese copper winding wire. 100,000 USD shipment.

Non-originating: ~50 percent (Chinese inputs + German bearings). RVC = 50 percent. Below the 60 percent threshold.

Effective rate 28.1 percent. Mexican assembly with Chinese steel input still wins via Section 122 suppression (Mexico bilateral framework) but Section 232 derivative on the Chinese-melt steel content is heavy.

EV traction motor considerations

EV traction motors at 100 to 250 kW classify in 8501.53. The USMCA chapter 87 advanced parts framework applies if the motor is being incorporated into a USMCA-qualifying vehicle.

For OEM-bound Tier-1 supplier shipments, the motor producer's BOM origin breakdown feeds into the vehicle-level RVC calculation.

For aftermarket / standalone motor sales, the chapter 85 rule of origin for 8501.53 governs.

See the dedicated HS code for EV traction motor page for the full EV-specific treatment.

Section 232 derivative on motors

The 2025 derivative annex expansion added several 8501 subheadings where steel content is significant. Cast iron housing + silicon steel stator stack together typically 40 to 70 percent of motor value.

Producer affidavit identifies the steel value share. Without affidavit, CBP defaults to 50 percent on full unit value.

Documentation that supports the classification

• Motor nameplate or data sheet specifying:
  • Rated power output (kW or HP).
  • Voltage and current type (DC, single-phase AC, multi-phase AC).
  • Frame size.
  • IP rating.
  • Application (general purpose, severe duty, hazardous location).
• Material certifications for the silicon steel core and copper wire (for Section 232 affidavit).
• Producer assembly records.
• For USMCA: per-line BOM with origin and value of non-originating inputs.

Run your electric motor entry now

The LandedFees calculator handles 8501 with the country-specific stack, the Section 232 derivative split, the USMCA RVC test with BOM-level analysis, and the KORUS / USMCA preferences. For EV traction motors, the engine also runs the chapter 87 advanced parts framework.

Calculate an electric motor entry

Section 122 status as of June 20 2026

The May 7 2026 Court of International Trade ruling in Oregon v. United States (consolidated with Burlap and Barrel v. United States) struck down the Section 122 proclamation. The Federal Circuit issued an administrative stay on May 12 2026, so CBP is still collecting the duty pending appeal. Importers paying now should preserve protest rights and refund claims in case the government loses on the merits. The underlying Section 122 authority sunsets July 24 2026 under the statutory 150-day ceiling, regardless of the appeal outcome, unless Congress extends or a fresh proclamation restarts the clock.

Citations

• USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule heading 8501: https://hts.usitc.gov/?query=8501
• USTR Section 301 List 1
• Section 232 derivative annex 2025 expansion
• USMCA Annex 4-B chapter 85 rule of origin
• KORUS tariff schedule
• IRA Section 30D Clean Vehicle Credit (for EV motor sourcing): https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/clean-vehicle-credits