Electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used — HTS 8511
Electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used for spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion engines (for example, ignition magnetos, magneto-dynamos, ignition coils, spark plugs and glow plugs, starter motors); generators (for example, dynamos, alternators) and cut-outs of a kind used in conjunction with such engines; parts thereof
Chapter 85 › Heading 8511
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 8511 is a four-digit product category for electrical equipment used to start or ignite internal-combustion engines. It includes equipment for spark-ignition engines, such as ignition coils, magnetos, spark plugs, and starter motors; equipment for compression-ignition engines, such as glow plugs; and engine-related generators, alternators, cut-outs, and their parts.
The heading is only the starting point. To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, follow the applicable subheadings and product descriptions under 8511. These may separate products by function, engine type, construction, or whether the item is a complete product or a part. Do not choose solely by a broad label such as “automotive electrical part”; read the full legal description and confirm that the item’s design and use fit it.
What to check
- Identify the item’s exact function: ignition, starting, generating, regulating, or a part of one of these systems.
- Confirm whether the equipment is for a spark-ignition engine, a compression-ignition engine, or both, using product specifications and technical documentation.
- Review the 8511 subheadings and eight-digit descriptions in the current HTSUS; compare distinctions such as product type, construction, and complete item versus part.
- Check the item’s principal design and actual use, including whether it is dedicated to internal-combustion engines or is a general-purpose electrical component.
- Keep datasheets, photographs, wiring diagrams, and manufacturer descriptions that support the classification; ask a customs broker or seek a binding ruling when the wording is unclear.
HTS heading 8511 summary
Electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used is a 4-digit product category containing 5 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 8511.80 | Other equipment |
| 8511.90 | Parts |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8511.10.00.00 👉 | Spark plugs | 2.5% | Free | 35% |
| 8511.20.00.00 👉 | Ignition magnetos; magneto-dynamos; magnetic flywheels | 2.5% | Free | 35% |
| 8511.30.00 👉 | Distributors; ignition coils | 2.5% | Free | 35% |
| 8511.40.00.00 👉 | Starter motors and dual purpose starter-generators | 2.5% | Free | 35% |
| 8511.50.00.00 👉 | Other generators | 2.5% | Free | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8511?
Electrical ignition or starting equipment of a kind used for spark-ignition or compression-ignition internal combustion engines (for example, ignition magnetos, magneto-dynamos, ignition coils, spark plugs and glow plugs, starter motors); generators (for example, dynamos, alternators) and cut-outs of a kind used in conjunction with such engines; parts thereof. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.