US Industrial Machinery Suppliers: A Buyer’s Guide
Pumps, compressors, packaging and filling machines, machine tools and process lines: this guide sums up what to check when you buy them from a U.S. manufacturer, from the tariff code to export controls.
| Industry | Industrial machinery |
|---|---|
| Main tariff headings (Harmonized System) | 8413, 8414, 8422, 8456 to 8465, 8466, 8479 |
| U.S. agencies involved | U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC); Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) |
| Official sources cited | 4 |
| Last reviewed | 2026-10-07 |
Tariff headings you should know
- 8413: pumps for liquids. 8414: air or vacuum pumps, compressors and fans.
- 8422: machinery for filling, closing, labeling or packing, and for cleaning or drying containers.
- 8456 to 8465: machine tools; 8466: their parts and accessories.
- 8479: machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified elsewhere.
If your country has a trade agreement with the United States and the product qualifies as originating, it may enter at a preferential duty rate. Confirm it with your customs authority.
Export controls
According to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), an item subject to U.S. export regulations that is not listed in any category of the Commerce Control List is classified as EAR99, and in most cases it does not need a license to be exported; it may need one if it is going to a restricted end user, end use or destination. Ask the manufacturer for the export classification (ECCN or EAR99) of what you are buying.
Some machine tools do have specific controls: for example, according to BIS, numerical control units for machine tools are controlled by their functional characteristics (ECCN 2B001.a), and if either the machine or the control unit needs a license, the whole set does.
Standards at destination
- In the European Union, the importer must check that the machine meets EU requirements and that the manufacturer has the EU declaration of conformity and the technical documentation (CE marking).
- Confirm with the manufacturer the voltage and frequency of your country’s electrical grid. For example, in Chile the SEC tests electrical products at 220 V and 50 Hz.
How to choose and verify the supplier
- Ask for the export classification (ECCN or EAR99), the voltage and frequency, and the scope of installation and training.
- Negotiate after-sales support: critical spare parts, remote assistance and response times.
- Check that the company exists: business registration in its state, physical address, website and references from other buyers.
- Check that it does not appear on the U.S. restricted-party lists, and ask for a formal quotation with the Incoterm, lead time and payment terms.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to buy industrial machinery from the United States?
According to BIS, items classified as EAR99 do not need a license in most cases, but some machines (for example, certain numerically controlled machine tools) have specific controls. The supplier must classify them.
What do I need to sell a U.S. machine in the EU?
It must meet EU requirements. The importer must check that the manufacturer has the EU declaration of conformity and the technical documentation.
Official sources
- USITC: Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
- BIS: how to classify your item (EAR99 and ECCN)
- BIS: interactive Commerce Control List
- European Commission: CE marking, importers and distributors
This page is general information to help you get started. It is not legal, tax or customs advice, and regulations change. Confirm current requirements with the official sources above or with a licensed customs broker, freight forwarder or trade compliance professional.