HS Code for Car Parts: Procedure for Exporting Auto Parts

Considered as one of the most common modes of transportation, around 93 million motor vehicles were produced in 2024, according to Statista. It includes cars and other vehicles, which show their prominence due to the demand for private vehicles. Thus, it is only natural that the global trade of car parts exists in order to meet the demand for spare parts or other auto parts. In order to facilitate transnational trade, understanding the Harmonized Standard (HS) code for car parts has become an obligatory knowledge if you work in the export-import business. In this article, we will help you find more information about the HS code for car parts. Here you will learn about the largest actors in the global spare parts trade and how to find the HS code for auto parts.

The structure of the HS code for car parts

HS code is the abbreviation for the Harmonized Standard (HS) code, which is developed and updated regularly by the World Customs Organization (WCO). This code is acknowledged internationally as a universal code to identify specific products based on their functions and materials. The HS code has a crucial role in determining the tariff rates, taxes, and import regulations imposed by each country or trader.

This code also plays a role in the identification process, including car or auto parts. Therefore, for the car parts traded internationally, we should include the HS code for car parts. HS code has become mandatory for every good that crosses the border in order to be sold legally in the recipient country.

HS code consists of six numbers that are divided into three parts: Chapter, followed by Heading, and Subheading. HS code for car parts is included in Chapter 87 for common vehicles. However, the code for car parts is part of the HS code 8708. Here is the explanation of the HS code for car parts, for example, a bumper with HS code 8708.10:

• 87: Chapter for a vehicle other than a railway and tramway.
• 08: Heading for parts of accessories for motor vehicles, including 8701 to 8705.
• 10: Subheading for bumpers and other accessories thereof.

There are common HS codes for car parts or other automotive products included under the HS code 8708, and the descriptions for the German Code Standard.

HS code	Description
8708.10	Bumpers and parts thereof
8708.21	Other parts of accessory bodies: Safety seat belts
8708.22	Other parts and accessories of car bodies: Front windscreens.
8708.30	Brakes and servobrakes; parts thereof
8708.40	Gearboxes and parts thereof
8708.50	Drive axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components and others.

These HS codes are general, and they can be classified further by adding additional codes based on functions and materials. However, each country also has a special code to make the structure of the HS code around 8 to 10 digits. That is why you need to pay attention to the specific regulations and the national standard of the country where your business partners are based.

Importance of an accurate HS code for car parts 

Inserting the right and accurate HS code for car parts is important. Basically, the right HS code for car parts or other products is crucial for customs clearance. After arriving in the destination country, this code will be assessed by the local customs officer, and it will be checked whether the HS code included with the products is correct or not.

The accuracy of the HS code will determine the tariff rates and other import regulations in the recipient country. Therefore, it is essential and important to use the appropriate HS code for car parts or other products. Inserting the appropriate HS code will make the customs process easier, and you will get the customs clearance quickly.

If the customs officer finds an irregularity in your HS code, there will be some consequences and penalties. The degree of penalties is based on the level of failure in the identification of the product’s functions and materials. Other than that, the failure of the HS code will make your products ineligible for the elimination of restrictions or reduction of tariffs based on the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Challenges for classifying the HS code for car parts 

After understanding the critical role of the HS code, we know that inserting the appropriate HS code is essential. Even though the process of identifying HS codes for car parts is the first step before other steps in international trade, this process cannot be neglected. However, the process is sometimes quite challenging due to the broad range of materials for car or auto parts. Here are the challenges in identifying the HS code for car parts.

• There is more than one function of the car parts, for example, the usage of car parts for transportation or decoration.
• There are modifications of car parts and a combination of two or more different materials, which affect the classification of the HS code for car parts.
• Innovation and rapid advances in car technology nowadays can affect the latest regulations and update the HS code for car parts.

Top 5 exporters and importers of car parts in the world

Before finding the HS code for car parts, you need to know the major players in the car parts industry, for instance, bumpers under HS code 870810. Based on the UN Comtrade Database in 2024, here are the largest exporting countries of car parts in the world under the HS code 870810.

Country	Total export value (USD)
Germany	1,737,478,766
China	877,930,675
United States	717,289,998
Czech Republic	608,526,733
France	407,267,590

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed November 17, 2025

Based on the data above, it shows that Germany is the biggest exporter of bumpers under HS code 870810 in the world, with more than 1.7 billion US dollars. It is followed by China and the United States in the second and third positions. The fourth and fifth positions, respectively, are the Czech Republic and France. The exporters of bumpers under HS code 87081 are dominated by the developed countries in North America and Europe. Meanwhile, China is the only developing country that plays a role as a major exporter of bumpers.

Country	Total import value (USD)
United States	1,576,923,967
Germany	1,202,664,761
China	467,526,288
France	376,221,286
Slovakia	370,064,563

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed November 17, 2025

The largest importer of bumpers under HS code 870810 in the world is the United States, with a total value of more than 1.5 billion US dollars. Germany has become the second-largest importer of bumpers under HS code 870810 with a valuation of 1.2 billion US dollars. They are followed by China, France, and Slovakia in the third, fourth, and fifth places, respectively. Meanwhile, North America and Europe are the main players in global bumper sales so far.

Finding the right HS code for car parts using HS Code Match 

After understanding the HS code for car parts, you need to know where to find the HS code for your product. You can find the HS codes on a certain government website, and also a third-party application, such as HS Code Match. This application has many features that can help you find the accurate HS code for car parts or other products. Here is the step-by-step guide to find the HS code for car parts, particularly bumpers, on HS Code Match.

• First step: Open HS Code Match by clicking hscodematch.com on your browser. Then, set up the country of origin and the recipient country, so do the product name, such as car parts. As an example, we use the pair of giant exporters and importers of car parts, Germany and the US.

• Second step: Selecting one of the best preferences of the results. Please check the most accurate HS code for your products on the HS Code Match results. For example, you can choose the HS code 87081030, which includes parts and accessories of vehicles of heading 8701-8705 and bumpers. 

• Third step: You can see the details of the HS code on the HS Code Details page. This page shows the detailed description of the selected HS code for car parts or bumpers. From this, you can see the general import duty for exporting bumpers from Germany to the United States is around 2.5 percent. 

• Fourth step: Move to the bottom part of HS Code Details, where you can find the import regulations for your products. You can also use the AI Assistant to ask more about specific parts of the import regulation document about HS code 87081030.

These are examples of answers from an AI chatbot for exporting bumpers from Germany to the United States.

First question: Who are the regulators for exporting bumpers from Germany to the United States?

Answer: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the main institution responsible for regulating and authorizing imported vehicle parts to the United States. They will inspect and ensure that the automotive components pass the safety standard and certification, as well as administrative requirements. You might have to deal with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) as well. This standard is regulated for the importation of vehicles and all of their parts to the United States, and Germany has its own standard for exporting auto parts. This is the list of regulators which has the authority to check the car parts, including bumpers, in the United States. 

Regulatory agency	Relevance to bumper export	Key details of the agency
US Department of Transportation (NHTSA)	Low	Oversees vehicle safety standards, including structural components, but not the export of bumpers as standalone parts
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)	None	Regulates hazardous materials; bumpers are not classified as hazardous
US International Trade Commission (ITC)	Not mentioned	No reference to import/export of automotive parts or bumpers
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)	Indirect	Manages the entry of goods, but no rules are specified for bumpers in this dataset
WTO TBT Enquiry Point	Not applicable	Only relevant to trade barriers in international rules, not part-specific export rules

Second question: What specific standards must German bumpers meet to be legally imported into the United States?

Answer: All vehicle components imported into the United States territory must comply with special agency, namely, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The document mentions specific criteria for the components as well as exemptions. The key regulation regarding rear impact protection from FMVSS states the specification of bumper design, energy absorption, and the endurance in case of a crash. Without certification and standardized inspections, imported vehicle parts will be denied entry into the U.S. market. Those several benchmarks are normally applied to domestic products as well. This is the table information about the criteria based on the vehicle ages. 

Vehicle age	Bumper law compliance requirements
Less than 25 years old	Should comply with the applicable standard from FMVSS
25 years or older	There is a chance to import this product without the restrictions from FMVSS

Third question: Under what conditions can German bumpers enter the US market without certification?

Answer: In a normal situation, there is no way to import German bumpers legally into the US without certification and inspection. However, there are specific conditions that can exempt them, such as testing, research, or other special circumstances. In general, the parts should have the certification or be sent along with official documentation from the manufacturers. Moreover, the United States agency does not permit all car parts, including bumpers, to be exported to its territory without proof of safety standards. The chatbot also provides a summary table for exemptions of regulatory and relevant requirements status. 

Condition	Compliance status
Vehicle bumpers from Germany to be exported to the US	Required certifications from the US agency
Exemption from examination	Not applicable for bumpers
Market access without FMVSS compliance	Denied
German constitutional court rulings	None
Impact of emission standards, especially for heavy-duty machinery	Not applicable directly

Conclusion 

Finding the right HS code for car parts is quite complicated due to the broad materials and functions of the car parts. However, the accurate HS code for car parts or other products is essential in order to make the customs process run smoothly. HS Code Match gives you a solution to gain insights about HS codes and import regulations. This application will guide you to find the right HS code and tariff rates based on the recipient country.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. What is the specific structure of the HS code for car or auto parts?

The structure of the HS code for car parts is under Chapter 87. The Heading of the car parts is under the HS code 8708. For example, bumpers and parts thereof have the HS code 870810.

2. Why is the HS code for car parts important?

HS code is an essential code for identifying products and is recognized universally almost everywhere. Therefore, this code cannot be ignored and should be inserted within the product’s packaging and be visible.

3. What are the consequences of inserting an incorrect HS code for car parts?

Yes, there are consequences of inserting a false HS code. It can be seizures, fines, or legal actions. Thus, finding the accurate HS code for your products is a must.

4. Is there any application to find the HS code and import regulations easily?

In order to find the HS code easily, you can use HS Code Match. This application will assist you in finding the best HS code and import regulation insights around the world with AI help.

5. What are the largest exporters of car parts around the world?

The largest exporters of car or auto parts are Germany. Followed by China, the United States, the Czech Republic, and France. The majority of car parts exporters are in the developed countries in Europe.

6. What are the largest importers of car parts in the world?

The largest importing country of car parts is the United States. This country is followed by Germany, China, France, and Slovakia, respectively. Similar to the exporters, the importers of car parts are dominated by the developed countries in Europe.