European Union Import Duty Rate for Automotive Parts & Components
HS 8708 · Parts and accessories for motor vehicles
European Union MFN Import Duty Rate
Live2.7%
CETA/JEFTA: 0%
Average across HS 8708 subheadings. Varies by part type.
How duty is calculated
CIF value
Product cost + international freight + insurance
Import duty (2.7%)
Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.
VAT (20%)
Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.
Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.
Worked example: automotive parts & components worth US$10,000
A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. European Union charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to EUR at the official exchange rate on the day of import.
| Charge | At 2.7% |
|---|---|
| Import duty | $294 |
| VAT (20%) | $2,239 |
| Total paid at the border | $2,533 |
VAT is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.
Classifying automotive parts & components correctly
Heading 8708 covers parts and accessories of motor vehicles — bumpers, brakes, gearboxes, axles, wheels, radiators, silencers, clutches and steering parts.
- Parts with their own heading elsewhere are excluded: tyres (4011), batteries (8507), spark plugs (8511), lamps (8512), engines (8407/8408), filters (8421)
- Seats go to 9401 and glass to 7007
- Universal parts of general use (bolts, springs) are classified by material
Compliance. In the US many auto parts carry Section 232 duties; preferential rates under USMCA, CETA and other FTAs need regional value content proof.
Importing into European Union: what you need
Customs is run by each member state (Zoll in Germany, Douane in France, Agencja Celna in Poland) under the Union Customs Code; rates come from the Common Customs Tariff and TARIC.
Registration. An EORI number issued by the member state where the importer is established. Non-EU sellers either appoint an indirect customs representative or ship DDP through a carrier that acts as declarant.
Low-value shipments. Goods worth €150 or less were duty-free until 30 June 2026. Since 1 July 2026 a flat €3 customs duty applies to each tariff heading in a low-value parcel sold through IOSS (Council Regulation (EU) 2026/382), until normal duties take over in July 2028. VAT is due from the first euro, collected at checkout under IOSS or at import.
Documents customs will ask for
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Proof of origin for preferential rates (statement on origin or REX statement)
- Import licence or certificate where the product is regulated
Charges on top of duty
- Import VAT at the rate of the member state of import (17–27%)
- Excise on alcohol, tobacco and energy products
- Anti-dumping duties on specific product/origin pairs (TARIC additional codes)
- CBAM certificates for iron, steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers and hydrogen above the 50-tonne annual threshold
Watch out. VAT, not duty, is usually the bigger number — a 3% duty on a €10,000 shipment is €300, while 20% VAT on the duty-paid value is over €2,100. VAT-registered importers recover it; consumers do not.
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty rate for Automotive Parts & Components in European Union?
The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Automotive Parts & Components (HS 8708) in European Union is 2.7% on the CIF value. Average across HS 8708 subheadings. Varies by part type.
Is VAT charged on Automotive Parts & Components imports to European Union?
Yes. European Union charges VAT at 20% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.
Are there FTA rates available for Automotive Parts & Components in European Union?
Yes. CETA/JEFTA: 0%. CETA (Canada), JEFTA (Japan), EU–Korea FTA, EU–Vietnam FTA (EVFTA), EU–UK TCA are the key agreements — verify origin requirements with your customs broker.
How is import duty calculated for Automotive Parts & Components entering European Union?
Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 2.7% is applied to this value. VAT (20%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.
Verify this rate
Duty rates change. Always verify the current rate at the official tariff schedule before importing.
EU TARIC official database ↗Automotive Parts & Components duty rates in other markets
Quick facts