Molding boxes for metal foundry — HTS 8480
Molding boxes for metal foundry; mold bases; molding patterns; molds for metal (other than ingot molds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber or plastics
Chapter 84 › Heading 8480
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 8480 is a broad product category for equipment and tooling used to form or cast materials. It groups together foundry molding boxes, mold bases, molding patterns, and molds used for metal (excluding ingot molds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber, or plastics.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, start with the item’s actual function and construction, then follow the heading’s subheadings and tariff descriptions. The more specific code usually depends on what the mold or related tooling is designed to form, such as metal, glass, mineral materials, rubber, or plastics, and may also depend on the type of article. Confirm that the product belongs in heading 8480 rather than another heading covering a machine, part, or specialized tool.
What to check
- Identify the article precisely: molding box, mold base, molding pattern, or mold.
- Confirm the material the item is designed to form, not merely the material from which the tool is made.
- Check whether the item is an ingot mold; ingot molds are excluded from the stated metal-mold category.
- Read every subheading and qualifying phrase before selecting the 8-digit code.
- Compare the product’s drawings, specifications, and intended use with the tariff text, and seek a customs broker or binding ruling when the classification is uncertain.
HTS heading 8480 summary
Molding boxes for metal foundry is a 4-digit product category containing 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8480.10.00.00 👉 | Molding boxes for metal foundry | 3.8% | Free | 45% |
| 8480.20.00.00 👉 | Mold bases | 3.4% | Free | 50% |
| 8480.30.00.00 👉 | Molding patterns | 2.8% | Free | 50% |
| 8480.50.00 👉 | Molds for glass | Free | — | 35% |
| 8480.60.00 👉 | Molds for mineral materials | 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 8480?
Molding boxes for metal foundry; mold bases; molding patterns; molds for metal (other than ingot molds), metal carbides, glass, mineral materials, rubber or plastics. 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.