Quick answer: HS 8708.70 is the international six-digit heading commonly used as the starting point for road wheels and their parts/accessories, but it is not a complete U.S. or EU customs declaration. The final code and duty depend on product construction, material, vehicle use, origin, destination, date and any additional tariff or trade-defense measures. Confirm the exact classification with the importer or customs broker before shipment.
Updated September 11, 2026: This guide explains the verification workflow and does not quote a fixed duty rate. Tariffs and additional measures can change, and a supplier’s old shipment code is not binding on customs for a new product.
HS Code, HTSUS, CN and TARIC: What Changes?
| System | Where used | Level of detail | Buyer action |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS | International foundation | First six digits; heading 8708.70 covers road wheels and parts/accessories thereof | Use only as a classification starting point |
| HTSUS | United States imports | U.S. tariff lines and statistical suffixes beyond six digits | Check the current USITC schedule plus all Chapter 99/additional measures |
| CN | European Union customs/statistics | EU eight-digit Combined Nomenclature | Identify the exact wheel/material/product branch |
| TARIC | EU import measures | Adds EU measure detail to the CN code | Check origin-specific duties, trade defense, suspensions and other measures on the declaration date |
Typical Classification Starting Point for Aluminum Road Wheels
The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule places road wheels under 8708.70 and has separate branches for road wheels and parts/accessories, vehicle categories, aluminum wheels and certain diameter ranges. This is why “870870” alone is insufficient for a U.S. entry. Open the current USITC record, read the full hierarchy and notes, then have the importer validate the 10-digit code.
For the EU, enter the product and country pair in the European Commission’s Access2Markets trade assistant. Review the CN/TARIC result, origin rules, import procedures and any measures shown for that date. Do not infer the EU code from a U.S. suffix.
Five Questions That Change Classification or Duty
- Is it a complete road wheel or a part/accessory? A complete aluminum wheel, rim section, center, decorative cap and hardware may not share one code.
- Which vehicle category is it for? Passenger cars, trucks, buses, tractors and other applications can fall into different branches.
- What is the material and construction? Aluminum, steel and mixed/components may be treated differently.
- What are origin and destination? Duty and trade measures depend on both, not on the shipping port alone.
- What measures are active on the entry date? Base duty is only one layer; additional tariffs, anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguard measures may apply.
U.S. Import Verification Workflow
| Step | Check | Record in the import file |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Product description, material, diameter, vehicle type and whether complete/part | Drawing, specification and commercial description |
| 2 | Current HTS hierarchy under 8708.70 | Proposed 10-digit HTSUS with reasoning |
| 3 | General/special rate and footnotes | Schedule release/date and applicable rate source |
| 4 | Chapter 99 and origin-specific measures | Additional code(s), exclusions or broker confirmation |
| 5 | AD/CVD scope questions where relevant | Written broker/counsel review; do not decide from product name alone |
| 6 | Country of origin and valuation | Origin evidence, assists/tooling, freight and valuation treatment |
| 7 | Entry responsibility | Importer of record, broker and Incoterm responsibilities |
EU Import Verification Workflow
- Search the exact product/origin/destination in Access2Markets or TARIC.
- Read the full CN description and explanatory context; do not stop at six digits.
- Check conventional duty, origin preference, trade-defense measures and import formalities.
- Confirm whether the wheel is a replacement wheel requiring market-specific approval documentation separate from customs classification.
- Record the TARIC consultation date because measures can change.
- Confirm VAT, customs value, freight and local clearance separately from customs duty.
Commercial Invoice Description for Forged Wheels
A useful description is factual and specific, for example: “New forged aluminum road wheel, complete, for passenger motor vehicle, 20 × 10J, no tire,” followed by origin, quantity, unit value and part number. The exact wording should match the goods and broker guidance. Avoid vague descriptions such as “auto parts,” “wheel hub” or “sample” when the shipment is a complete road wheel.
Incoterms Do Not Determine the HS Code
EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP allocate commercial responsibilities; they do not change the product classification. DDP also does not remove the need to identify the importer of record, customs value, duty basis and exclusions in writing. Use the forged wheel landed-cost guide to compare freight, tax, clearance and local delivery on the same basis.
Customs Checklist Before Paying a Deposit
- Product drawing and precise invoice description
- Material, diameter, vehicle category and complete-wheel/part status
- Country-of-origin analysis and origin documents
- Proposed destination code with dated official lookup
- Base duty plus additional/origin-specific measures
- AD/CVD or other trade-defense scope review where relevant
- Importer of record and broker details
- Incoterm, named place and which taxes/fees are included
- Written confirmation of who bears a reclassification or duty-change risk
Sources and verification notes
- U.S. International Trade Commission — HTS search for 8708.70 — current U.S. tariff hierarchy; verify the release and full 10-digit line
- European Commission — Access2Markets — official EU tool for tariff and import-condition checks by product and origin
- EUR-Lex — UN Regulation No. 124 — replacement-wheel approval context is separate from customs classification
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HS code for forged aluminum wheels?
8708.70 is a common six-digit starting heading for road wheels, but the final U.S. HTSUS or EU CN/TARIC code needs more product and destination detail.
Can the supplier confirm my import duty?
A supplier can provide product data and a proposed code, but the importer and customs broker should validate the destination classification and active measures.
Does DDP mean no other import cost can appear?
Only the written quotation and delivery agreement define the included scope. Confirm importer role, duty, tax, clearance, exceptions and final-delivery charges.
Request Product Data for Customs Classification
Send the destination country, vehicle category, wheel material, diameter, complete-wheel or component status, quantity and preferred Incoterm. We can supply a precise product description and packing data for your broker’s classification review.