Tariff monitor · Machinery & Equipment

Gaskets and Mechanical Seals: Statutory & Effective Tariff Rates

Statutory HTS duty rates for 3 gaskets and mechanical seals tariff lines (MFN 2.5%–3.9%), from USITC. Effective rate May 2026: 9.66%; monthly history since 2014.

The short answer

  • The effective U.S. tariff on gaskets and mechanical seals was 9.66% in May 2026, down from 12.79% a year earlier — calculated duties actually paid divided by customs value, from USITC data. The statutory MFN rate is 2.5%–3.9% across 3 HTS lines in the 2026 schedule. Mexico is the largest source, holding 22.3% of 2025 imports.

Statutory rates from the schedule

  • Metal and composite gaskets and mechanical face seals — the static and rotating seals that keep fluids where they belong. This family covers HTS heading 8484: 3 eight-digit rate lines with MFN (column 1, general) rates of 2.5%–3.9% in the 2026 schedule.
  • Chapter 99 flags on individual lines mark Section 301/232 overlay provisions (e.g. 9903.88.01) that apply on top of the MFN column.

What importers actually paid

  • Latest month on record (2026-05): 9.66% effective on $75.6M of imports, versus 12.79% in the same month a year earlier. The monthly archive holds 149 observations from 2014-01 through 2026-05.
  • In 2025, U.S. imports for consumption in this family totaled $828.3M in customs value and paid $91.3M in calculated duties: an effective tariff rate of 11.03%. 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 3.83%, so the duty burden rose 7.2 points.
  • Top source countries in 2025: Mexico ($184.3M at 2.23%), Germany ($127.1M at 10.86%), Japan ($83.4M at 9.84%), United Kingdom ($52.5M at 7.63%), China ($50.4M at 51.63%).

Representative rate lines

  • 8484.10.00.00: Gaskets and similar joints of metal sheeting combined with other material or of two or mor · MFN 2.5%
  • 8484.20.00.00: Mechanical seals · MFN 3.9%
  • 8484.90.00.00: Other · MFN 2.5%

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the U.S. tariff rate on gaskets and mechanical seals? Importers paid an effective rate of 9.66% in May 2026 (calculated duties ÷ customs value, USITC DataWeb). The statutory MFN rate is 2.5%–3.9%; Section 301/232 overlays and special programs explain the difference.
  • What is the statutory MFN duty rate for gaskets and mechanical seals? 2.5%–3.9% across the family's 3 eight-digit HTS lines in the 2026 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (headings 8484).
  • Which countries supply the most gaskets and mechanical seals to the U.S.? Top sources in 2025: Mexico ($184.3M at 2.23%), Germany ($127.1M at 10.86%), Japan ($83.4M at 9.84%). Sourcing is diversified: Mexico holds 22.3% of imports.
  • How much gaskets and mechanical seals does the U.S. import? $828.3M of customs value in 2025, paying $91.3M in calculated duties — an effective tariff of 11.03%.
  • Is the U.S. a net importer of gaskets and mechanical seals? Yes — a net exporter in 2025: $828.3M imported vs $1.2B exported (exports are 140% 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.