Tariff monitor · Machinery & Equipment
Filtering and Separation Equipment: Statutory & Effective Tariff Rates
Statutory HTS duty rates for 14 filtering and separation equipment tariff lines (MFN Free–2.5%), from USITC. Effective rate May 2026: 8.85%; monthly history since 20
The short answer
- The effective U.S. tariff on filtering and separation equipment was 8.85% in May 2026, down from 11.56% a year earlier — calculated duties actually paid divided by customs value, from USITC data. The statutory MFN rate is Free–2.5% across 14 HTS lines in the 2026 schedule. Mexico is the largest source, holding 30% of 2025 imports.
Statutory rates from the schedule
- Centrifuges, filters, and purifiers for liquids and gases — clarifying coolant, air, oil, and process streams. This family covers HTS heading 8421: 14 eight-digit rate lines with MFN (column 1, general) rates of Free–2.5% in the 2026 schedule.
- Chapter 99 flags on individual lines mark Section 301/232 overlay provisions (e.g. 9903.88.03) that apply on top of the MFN column.
What importers actually paid
- Latest month on record (2026-05): 8.85% effective on $1.3B of imports, versus 11.56% in the same month a year earlier. The monthly archive holds 41 observations from 2023-01 through 2026-05.
- In 2025, U.S. imports for consumption in this family totaled $14.0B in customs value and paid $1.3B in calculated duties: an effective tariff rate of 9.58%. The effective rate captures Section 301/232 overlays, exclusions, and special-program use that the statutory column cannot.
- A year earlier the effective rate was 2.25%, so the duty burden rose 7.3 points.
- Top source countries in 2025: Mexico ($4.2B at 2.74%), Canada ($1.5B at 1.16%), Germany ($1.5B at 8.93%), China ($1.3B at 42.84%), South Korea ($601.1M at 7.92%).
Representative rate lines
- 8421.11.00.00: Cream separators · MFN Free
- 8421.12.00.00: Clothes-dryers · MFN Free
- 8421.19.00.00: Other · MFN 1.3%
- 8421.21.00.00: For filtering or purifying water · MFN Free
- 8421.22.00.00: For filtering or purifying beverages other than water · MFN Free
- 8421.23.00.00: Oil or fuel filters for internal combustion engines · MFN 2.5%
- 8421.29.00: Other · MFN Free
- 8421.31.00.00: Intake air filters for internal combustion engines · MFN 2.5%
Frequently asked questions
- What is the U.S. tariff rate on filtering and separation equipment? Importers paid an effective rate of 8.85% in May 2026 (calculated duties ÷ customs value, USITC DataWeb). The statutory MFN rate is Free–2.5%; Section 301/232 overlays and special programs explain the difference.
- What is the statutory MFN duty rate for filtering and separation equipment? Free–2.5% across the family's 14 eight-digit HTS lines in the 2026 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (headings 8421).
- Which countries supply the most filtering and separation equipment to the U.S.? Top sources in 2025: Mexico ($4.2B at 2.74%), Canada ($1.5B at 1.16%), Germany ($1.5B at 8.93%). Sourcing is diversified: Mexico holds 30% of imports.
- How much filtering and separation equipment does the U.S. import? $14.0B of customs value in 2025, paying $1.3B in calculated duties — an effective tariff of 9.58%.
- Is the U.S. a net importer of filtering and separation equipment? Yes — a net importer in 2025: $14.0B imported vs $10.6B exported (exports are 76% of imports).
About this data
- Reference statistics derived from USITC published data. Not a customs ruling; verify rates with a licensed customs broker before relying on them.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.