Converters — HTS 8454
Converters, ladles, ingot molds and casting machines, of a kind used in metallurgy or in metal foundries, and parts thereof
Chapter 84 › Heading 8454
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 8454 is a broad product category for certain equipment used in metallurgy or metal foundries. It groups together converters, ladles, ingot molds, casting machines, and their parts. These are industrial items used to process, hold, shape, or cast molten metal—not ordinary containers, molds, or machinery used for unrelated materials.
The 4-digit heading is only the starting point. To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, identify the product’s specific type and principal function, then follow the subheadings and statistical subdivisions. The breakdown commonly depends on distinctions such as the kind of equipment, whether the item is a complete machine or a part, and—in some branches—the material or metal involved. The exact wording of the applicable subheading controls, so confirm the current HTSUS provisions and seek a customs broker’s judgment when the product or its use is unclear.
What to check
- Describe the item’s function, construction, and use in metallurgy or a foundry; do not rely only on a marketing name.
- Determine whether it is a converter, ladle, ingot mold, casting machine, or a part, and check whether the part is designed principally for equipment in this heading.
- Follow each successive HTSUS subheading and statistical break; compare the complete product description with every qualifying term, including material or equipment type.
- Check technical drawings, specifications, photographs, and purchase documents to support the classification, especially for specialized industrial equipment.
- Verify the current HTSUS text and any relevant classification guidance; ask a customs broker or request a binding ruling if competing headings or subheadings appear plausible.
HTS heading 8454 summary
Converters is a 4-digit product category containing 4 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8454.10.00.00 👉 | Converters | Free | — | 35% |
| 8454.20.00 👉 | Ingot molds and ladles | Free | — | 35% |
| 8454.30.00 👉 | Casting machines | Free | — | 35% |
| 8454.90.00 👉 | Parts | Free | — | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8454?
Converters, ladles, ingot molds and casting machines, of a kind used in metallurgy or in metal foundries, and parts thereof. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.