Reshoring Signal
Robots and automated machinery: Reshoring Readiness
The Reshoring Readiness Index scores robots and automated machinery at 45.4 of 100 (building case): a 11.76% observed effective calculated-duty rate, import dependence 88/100, sourcing concentration 9/100. Transparent methodology, monthly USITC data. Free.
The short answer
- Robots and automated machinery has an RRI of 45.4 of 100, a building case: the observed effective calculated-duty rate is 11.76% (tariff term 37/100), U.S. exports cover 12% of imports (dependence 88/100), and the named-source concentration floor is 880 HHI (9/100). The score is down 13.0 points over the past year.
The three terms behind the score
- Tariff pressure 37/100 (45% weight): a 11.76% observed effective calculated-duty rate, level 39/100 with a one-year trend of 32/100.
- Import dependence 88/100 (30% weight): U.S. exports cover about 12% of imports.
- Sourcing concentration 9/100 (25% weight): 880 on the complete-board Herfindahl index.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the reshoring readiness score for robots and automated machinery? 45.4 of 100 as of the latest month, a building case. The score combines tariff pressure (37/100), import dependence (88/100), and sourcing concentration (9/100) under the published RRI v2.0.0 methodology.
- Why does robots and automated machinery score this way? The observed effective calculated-duty rate is 11.76% in this family, U.S. exports cover about 12% of what it imports, and its retained-source Herfindahl index is 880. Under this screening formula, a higher observed rate, deeper import dependence, and more concentrated sourcing raise the score; they do not establish plant-level profitability.
- Does a high score mean reshoring is profitable? No. The RRI is a screening indicator: it says the public trade data points that way, not that any specific plant pencils out. Validate with your own landed-cost, labor, and capacity numbers before deciding.
About this data
- A transparent screening indicator built from public USITC trade data, not sourcing advice. The tariff term uses an observed effective calculated-duty rate, not an entry-specific legal rate or cash-paid amount. Concentration is matched to the month's calendar year (latest completed year for newer months); import dependence is currently a latest-year snapshot applied across the series and will deepen into a true history as export years accumulate. The named-top-sources HHI is a floor. Validate any decision with your own landed-cost and capacity numbers.
Last reviewed 2026-09-05.