HTS heading 8601 covers rail locomotives powered from an external source, entering the United States at duty-free. Rail locomotives powered from an external source of electricity or by electric accumulators. Beyond the base MFN duty, goods under this heading from most non-EU origins add the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (10% standard, 12.5% for the ~28-economy forced-labor tier such as China, Vietnam, and Thailand), which took over from the expired Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026. EU-origin goods are capped at the 15% all-inclusive EU-US deal ceiling instead. Worked example: a $10,000 shipment under HTS 8601 owes about $0 in MFN duty (0%); adding the 10% base forced-labor surcharge brings it to roughly $1,000 from a standard-tier origin, or about $1,250 from a 12.5%-tier origin such as China. Check your exact figure with the tariff calculator. The top countries of origin for HTS 8601 imports include FR, DE, JP, CA, CN. Effective duty varies by source country based on trade agreements (USMCA, KORUS) and tariff programs — see the per-country tariff rates by country for how FR compares.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the tariff rate for HTS 8601 (Rail locomotives powered from an external source)?

The MFN duty rate for HTS 8601 is Free. Non-EU imports also face the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty that replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026), while EU-origin goods pay the EU-US deal's 15% all-inclusive ceiling (effective July 1, 2026).

Where do most HTS 8601 imports come from?

The top origin countries for rail locomotives powered from an external source are FR, DE, JP, CA, CN. Tariff rates vary based on the source country's trade agreements and applicable surcharges.

Will the tariff on HTS 8601 change in 2026?

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff on non-EU imports expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff — a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty on roughly 60 economies, broader than the earlier 46-country proposal. The EU's 15% deal ceiling (effective July 1, 2026) has no expiration. MFN rates and existing Section 232/301 tariffs have no set expiration. In August 2026, 25 states sued to block the forced-labor tariff, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.