HS Code for Auto Parts and Accessories

Auto parts are one of the most demanded products globally because our daily activities cannot be separated from the mobility of people and goods. This process obviously needs the vehicle, including cars, trucks, buses, and others. Therefore, the demand for the automotive industry, including auto parts products, is high, which also leads to the expansion of international trade. One of the procedures of export/import is the inclusion of the right HS code for auto parts. This article will explain the HS code for auto parts, as well as how to find the HS code for auto parts and accessories. 

What are auto parts, and why are they important? 

Auto parts are the individual components to build up the full automobile or other types of vehicles. The auto parts have a different form, and they have different functions in order to make the vehicle work properly and safely. These auto parts are interconnected with each other as a complement, because if one of the parts is gone, there will be some functionary problems, or it will affect the aesthetic features of the vehicle. 

Not only for building the full-fledged vehicle, the other purpose of the auto parts is also used for replacing or upgrading the old ones. The vehicle parts undoubtedly have risks of wearing out due to constant use. In order to avoid the malfunction of some parts, they need to be replaced with new ones. The replacement is one of the vehicle maintenance tasks to ensure that the vehicle can be used safely. 

The replacement or upgrading of the old auto parts is essential because there are risks of accidents if we do not pay attention to the worn-out parts. For example, if a vehicle is used frequently, the tire will be flat, and consequently, it can cause loss of steering control and a lack of ability to brake. The checking process and upgrading of the tire periodically will prevent a serious accident, to protect the driver and also other drivers. 

Types of auto parts

Auto parts can be segmented into many categories based on their functions and forms. Commonly, six primary categories of auto parts are essential as the complement to build up a vehicle. 

1. Engine components

The engine or machine is the most essential component of every vehicle. This component can be categorized as the heart of the vehicle because without this component, the vehicle cannot be used and cannot function properly. 

2. Transmission components

The transmission system is one of the critical components, which has the function of transferring the energy from the engine to the wheel. This component, including clutches, driveshafts, gearbox, etc, facilitates the transmission process of a vehicle to work properly. 

3. Steering and suspension components

Steering and suspension components are essential to control the rest of the wheel and the direction of the vehicle. The components, such as shocks, struts, control arms, etc, help to stabilize and bring the comfortability in a car or other vehicle. 

4. Electrical components

An electrical component is the main components to run the electrical system within the vehicle. This is important to generate the energy needed by the vehicle to operate. 

5. Braking system components

The braking system is the component that helps the vehicle to be able to stop in case of an emergency situation. This is one of the components to ensure safety in a car or other vehicles. 

6. Body parts and exterior components

Body or exterior components mostly play a role as aesthetic parts. However, not only for the appearance of the vehicle, the body and exterior components also play a vital role in efficiency and the safety standard. 

What is the HS code for auto parts and accessories?

After knowing that auto parts can be categorized into six components, this will affect the HS code for auto parts. Therefore, the HS code for auto parts is also classified into a wide range of codes. Here are the three common general HS codes for auto parts, which consist of a 2-digit chapter and a 2-digit heading, as follows: 

• 8708: Parts and accessories for vehicles.
• 8511: Electrical components for engine ignition.
• 8407: Rotary internal combustion piston engines and spark-ignition reciprocating. 

The HS code for auto parts can be segmented into more specific categories. This is differentiated by the type of parts or engine of the vehicle. These are examples of specific HS codes for auto parts that added a 2-digit subheading. 

• 8708.30: Brakes and servo-brakes; parts thereof.
• 8511.90: Parts of voltage and voltage-current regulators with cut-out relays.
• 8407.33: Spark-ignition reciprocating piston engines for propulsion of vehicles, except rail or tramway stock, over 250 cc but not over 1,000 cc.

The HS code for auto parts can be identified more specifically based on the recipient country code standard. Therefore, the export and import actors should understand the specific codes in order to alleviate errors before the shipping process. 

Top 5 exporters and importers of auto parts and accessories

Even though there is no specific HS code for auto parts, most of the auto parts products are classified under HS code 8708, or parts and accessories of motor vehicles. Therefore, we can generalize that the auto parts with this code. As we know, some countries are deemed as the auto parts producers and export them to other countries. Here are the largest exporters of auto parts and accessories for motor vehicles globally in 2024. 

Country	Total export value (USD)
Germany	62,475,686,814
China	56,638,842,376
United States	45,082,655,425
Mexico	41,078,930,729
Japan	25,862,380,758

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed November 4, 2025

From the data above, the largest exporter of auto parts in 2024 is Germany, which is known as the largest carmaker with more than 62 billion USD. Then, it was followed by China as the second-largest exporter of auto parts due to the transformation of the Chinese car industry these days. The third largest exporters are the United States and followed by Mexico and Japan in the fourth and fifth positions, respectively. 

After knowing the largest exporter of auto parts, some countries are considered the largest importers of auto parts under the HS code for car parts 8708. Here are the largest importers of auto parts and accessories in the world in 2024. 

Country	Total import value (USD)
United States	89,905,775,597
Germany	44,459,859,565
Mexico	34,363,754,741
China	21,102,876,627
Canada	17,925,946,331

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed November 4, 2025

The table above demonstrates that the United States is the largest importer of auto parts with a total value of more than 89 billion USD. It is followed by Germany in the second position as the second-largest importer of auto parts. Subsequently, Mexico comes as the third largest importer of auto parts to supply its car assembly plants. Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth positions were filled by China and Canada. 

How to find the HS code for auto parts with HS Code Match 

Finding an HS code for auto parts can be quite complicated because you must first identify the products and then search for the corresponding HS code. There is a risk that you are writing incorrect code which has huge consequences for your business and leads to financial loss or seizure of products. To alleviate the possibility of writing incorrect HS code, you can use HS Code Match. These are the steps to use HS Code Match for finding the HS code for auto parts. 

Step 1: Open the HS Code Match by clicking hscodematch.com on your browser. Then, choose the product’s name, origin country, and destination country. For instance, we can choose auto parts trade lanes from one of the exporter and importer countries above, such as Germany to China.

Step 2: After selecting the products and the countries. You can see the list of the HS codes for the auto parts. We can select the HS code 8708100000 for parts and accessories for vehicles on the second row. 

Step 3: Once you select a certain HS code, you will be led to the HS Code Details page. This section provides detailed information related to the description of the HS code and a glance at the duty rates to send auto parts from Germany to China. 

Step 4: You can move to the bottom section to find the import duty explanation and the latest regulation. Please use the AI Assistant to locate the detailed sections of the regulation document. You can ask the AI chatbot about the summary to help you find the specific information and insights needed to export auto parts from Germany to the United States. 

These are examples of the answer from the AI chatbot on HS Code Match about Germany Auto Parts for Vehicle Import Regulations from China 

First question: Which agency is responsible for issuing the Certificate of Origin for HS Code 8708100000 in China?

Answer: The Certificate of Origin (CoO) is the requirement document for exporting products, including auto parts, to China and many countries all over the world. The authority in China that issues the CoO is the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (AQSIQ). This agency has the jurisdiction to provide a certificate for the origin country of the car or related products in China. 

Second question: What documents must accompany the CoO for customs clearance? 

Answer: HS code 8708100000 is specifically for mechanical and electrical products in cars. Not only CoO, but the exporters or importers are required to attach other documents for customs clearance in China, including: 1. Declaration of Origin, Import License for Used Equipment, 3. Technical Compliance Certificate, 4. Vehicle Identification Number Certificate (VIN), 5. Health and Safety Compliance Statement. All of those documents are provided in the guides to exporting auto parts to meet the national standard in China. The exporters should also pay attention to the safety component under ISC 43.040.40, and the failure to meet this regulation may cause rejection. 

Third question: Does the VIN requirement apply to used cars in China? 

Answer: VIN has become mandatory in the People’s Republic of China policy to import vehicles, including used vehicles. This applies to vehicles, such as cars, trailers, motorcycles, and other vehicles. The VIN is not only specifically for the HS code 8708100000, but it is also applied to all vehicles and accessories under Chapter 87. 

Conclusion

The export and import process of auto parts is essential these days due to the high demand for vehicles for daily life. Therefore, the correctness of following the import or export procedure is crucial, including classifying the accurate HS code for auto parts cannot be neglected. The process of export and import is mostly done by the largest exporter of auto parts and accessories in the world. Meanwhile, the largest exporter of auto parts and accessories in the world is Germany. The largest importer of auto parts and accessories is the United States, which is known as the largest car consumer worldwide. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the HS code for auto parts

1. What are the different types of auto parts? 

The type of auto parts can be differentiated into six categories, including engine components, transmission components, steering and suspension components, electrical components, braking system components, and body parts and exterior components. 

2. What is the HS code for auto parts and accessories? 

The HS code for auto parts is included in several chapters due to the broad range. However, most of the auto parts are included in Chapter 87 and Heading 08. The HS code 8708 contains many parts of the auto and accessories. It can be followed by the Subheading to identify more about the specific parts. 

3. Is there any application to find the HS code for auto parts easily? 

Yes, you can use HS Code Match to find the HS code for auto parts or other products. Not only the HS code, but this application also gives you an explanation about the tariff rates, latest regulations, and other insights regarding international trade. 

4. What are the top countries exporters of auto parts and accessories? 

The five top countries as exporters of auto parts and accessories are Germany, China, the United States, Mexico, and Japan. These countries are known as the car producers in the world. 

5. What are the challenges of classifying HS code for auto parts? 

Finding the HS code for auto parts is quite challenging because the materials are changing gradually. You also need to identify the components of auto parts, which are mostly ambiguous, and there is a risk of incorrect classification of the HS code. The HS code varies based on countries, which makes the process more difficult, and the regulations are changing over time due to the rapid change of global political and economic situations.