The United States stands as a significant global hub for the automotive industry, and a crucial aspect of this is the substantial import of car parts. In 2021, US Car Parts Import reached a record high of over $159 billion, underscoring the nation’s reliance on a global supply chain to support both automotive manufacturing and the expansive aftermarket sector. This article delves into the key trends, top countries contributing to car parts import, and provides insights into this dynamic sector.
In 2020, amidst the global pandemic, US car parts import experienced a notable 15% decrease, falling to US$131 billion from the previous year. However, the sector demonstrated resilience, rebounding strongly in 2021 to surpass pre-pandemic levels and achieve an all-time high. This recovery highlights the essential nature of car parts import to maintain the US automotive industry’s operational capacity and meet consumer demand. The peak year prior to 2021 was 2018, with imports valued at US$157.8 billion, further emphasizing the consistent growth trajectory interrupted only by the exceptional circumstances of 2020.
Leading Countries in Car Parts Import to the US
The geography of car parts import to the US is diverse, with Mexico leading as the dominant supplier. In 2021, Mexico accounted for 38% of all car parts import into the US, with a staggering value of US$60.1 billion. This figure represents a substantial increase and underscores the deeply integrated automotive supply chains between the two countries, facilitated by trade agreements and geographical proximity.
Shipping containers at a port, illustrating the concept of car parts import to the US.
Following Mexico, Canada and China are also significant players in car parts import to the US. Canada contributed 10% of total imports, valued at US$16.4 billion, while China accounted for 9.5%, with imports worth US$15.1 billion. Japan and Korea round out the top five, with import values of US$15 billion and US$10.2 billion respectively, representing 9.4% and 6.4% of the total. Germany, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Italy complete the list of the top ten countries, each contributing a smaller but still significant share to the overall US car parts import landscape. These figures highlight the complex global network that supports the US automotive sector, drawing components and parts from a range of countries with varying manufacturing strengths and specializations.
Import Dominance Over Export in Automotive Parts
A notable aspect of the US automotive parts trade is the significant imbalance between imports and exports. In 2021, the value of car parts import was 125% higher than that of exports. Specifically, the US imported US$159.6 billion worth of automotive parts while exporting US$70.94 billion. This substantial trade deficit has been a point of discussion, particularly in the context of trade policy and tariffs. The debate around tariffs on car parts import often revolves around the potential impacts on US consumers and the automotive industry. Opponents argue that tariffs could increase costs, while proponents sometimes point to the import-export imbalance as justification for protective measures. However, the economic arguments for and against tariffs are multifaceted and beyond the scope of this statistical overview.
Trends in Car Parts Import from Key Nations
Analyzing the trends over recent years reveals shifts in the contributions of different countries to US car parts import. While Mexico, Canada, and Japan have consistently remained top suppliers, China’s position has seen some fluctuation. Although China was formerly the third-largest source, it briefly dropped to fourth before regaining the third position. Notably, Chinese car parts import into the US peaked in 2018 at $20 billion, marking a 15% increase from 2017. This peak, followed by subsequent adjustments, reflects the dynamic nature of global trade and geopolitical factors influencing supply chains.
The table below provides a detailed view of the top 20 countries exporting car parts to the US over the past seven years, offering a deeper understanding of the evolving patterns in car parts import.
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WORLD | $159,640,782,200 | $131,509,074,066 | $155,610,678,571 | $157,801,339,725 | $147,880,118,016 | $147,970,571,336 |
| Mexico | $60,147,245,585 | $51,621,152,611 | $60,781,901,664 | $58,924,591,501 | $54,874,198,046 | $55,059,598,583 |
| Canada | $16,461,364,564 | $14,067,303,871 | $16,904,481,464 | $17,223,360,574 | $16,086,439,817 | $17,057,193,069 |
| Japan | $15,063,771,603 | $12,058,709,417 | $14,869,630,896 | $16,074,969,329 | $16,263,563,596 | $15,066,679,288 |
| China | $15,160,877,927 | $11,437,073,996 | $15,572,308,099 | $20,120,982,055 | $17,576,052,577 | $17,365,092,076 |
| Korea | $10,202,469,955 | $8,164,391,358 | $9,410,663,995 | $8,856,236,664 | $8,277,489,756 | $9,243,717,053 |
| Germany | $10,145,872,276 | $8,435,200,966 | $9,224,735,704 | $9,595,169,700 | $9,855,025,575 | $10,042,005,179 |
| Thailand | $4,762,955,572 | $4,141,776,533 | $4,327,101,688 | $3,497,946,045 | $3,188,404,069 | $2,993,374,062 |
| Taiwan | $3,587,494,537 | $3,259,879,816 | $3,407,438,367 | $3,233,046,355 | $3,157,650,629 | $2,955,786,617 |
| India | $2,434,688,261 | $1,492,732,169 | $1,972,813,334 | $1,794,032,694 | $1,463,297,268 | $1,266,276,897 |
| Vietnam | $2,172,666,596 | $1,677,877,332 | $1,615,198,359 | $1,402,210,036 | $1,190,846,356 | $918,085,468 |
| Italy | $2,081,427,738 | $1,496,377,260 | $1,437,532,018 | $1,652,848,752 | $1,116,845,799 | $1,341,877,958 |
| Austria | $1,365,947,473 | $1,046,145,774 | $1,039,913,441 | $1,044,795,780 | $1,149,686,564 | $1,123,856,030 |
| United Kingdom | $1,213,619,208 | $1,064,167,484 | $1,402,163,242 | $1,426,837,096 | $1,306,260,209 | $1,183,398,177 |
| Brazil | $1,210,588,712 | $932,723,467 | $1,253,501,298 | $1,242,780,330 | $1,129,549,832 | $984,115,086 |
| Indonesia | $1,124,075,684 | $933,120,548 | $1,012,604,055 | $1,017,771,075 | $1,139,649,360 | $1,208,877,805 |
| Czech Republic | $1,042,908,674 | $779,827,827 | $863,811,133 | $832,235,411 | $832,859,063 | $830,030,843 |
| Spain | $997,517,574 | $968,317,134 | $1,036,866,601 | $895,766,492 | $951,972,637 | $887,199,170 |
| Philippines | $989,988,982 | $752,421,590 | $1,034,365,296 | $859,812,827 | $854,167,135 | $852,561,649 |
| Poland | $837,830,860 | $608,946,237 | $628,584,702 | $498,810,863 | $473,389,577 | $464,644,630 |
| Malaysia | $650,543,444 | $679,050,429 | $627,598,424 | $501,710,178 | $373,685,441 | $393,686,684 |
Categories of Car Parts Import to the US
Beyond the geographical sources, understanding the types of car parts import provides further granularity. The US imports a wide array of automotive components, ranging from essential mechanical parts to electronic and accessory items. Body parts, excluding cabs, constitute a significant category, with imports valued at over $15.3 billion in 2021. Gear boxes and brakes & parts are also major import categories, reflecting the complexity of automotive manufacturing and the specialization of global suppliers. Lighting, safety components like airbags and seatbelts, and various engine and transmission parts are also among the top imported car parts.
The table below details the specific types of car parts import to the United States, categorized by Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes, and their import values from 2017 to 2021.
| HTS Number | Description | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6813.81 | Brake lining and pads | $129,692,291 | $105,780,998 | $137,414,189 | $140,190,444 | $174,682,117 |
| 7007.11 | Tempered safety glass (vehicles, aircraft, boats) | $187,159,374 | $130,891,118 | $162,267,036 | $169,071,306 | $157,871,688 |
| 7009.10 | Rear-view mirrors | $380,978,320 | $299,704,211 | $307,182,361 | $290,461,292 | $266,575,272 |
| 8301.20 | Vehicle locks | $659,898,058 | $586,921,158 | $680,501,018 | $716,554,486 | $748,425,788 |
| 8302.30 | Other mountings and fittings | $2,105,105,087 | $1,665,760,278 | $2,067,764,383 | $2,043,443,133 | $1,878,201,444 |
| 8511.10 | Spark plugs | $555,041,041 | $475,262,144 | $480,919,049 | $481,371,535 | $474,808,107 |
| 8511.20 | Magnetos and flywheels | $29,617,507 | $18,243,157 | $23,861,061 | $25,962,647 | $21,838,224 |
| 8511.30 | Distributors and ignition coils | $508,269,401 | $402,711,184 | $455,920,914 | $569,678,877 | $527,614,462 |
| 8511.40 | Starters | $1,376,364,366 | $1,165,253,043 | $1,370,007,676 | $1,345,745,226 | $1,198,808,152 |
| 8511.50 | Generators and other generator parts | $1,177,491,914 | $960,273,847 | $1,114,823,313 | $1,168,473,671 | $1,143,549,231 |
| 8511.80 | Other ignition parts | $177,284,298 | $153,793,301 | $174,377,970 | $180,061,924 | $157,240,703 |
| 8511.90 | Other misc parts for lighting, wipers or defrosters | $325,302,480 | $324,941,042 | $411,243,314 | $392,020,571 | $366,622,973 |
| 8512.20 | Lighting (automotive and motorycles) | $4,337,500,001 | $3,655,121,455 | $3,960,816,523 | $3,971,676,514 | $3,518,549,959 |
| 8512.30 | Horns (automotive and motorcycles) | $181,365,446 | $145,146,319 | $165,781,309 | $222,678,391 | $244,303,057 |
| 8512.40 | Wipers and defrosters | $103,110,535 | $82,035,074 | $104,084,774 | $173,522,383 | $162,935,689 |
| 8512.90 | Parts for lighting, wipers or defrosters | $1,677,370,379 | $1,406,437,259 | $1,754,940,332 | $1,852,441,545 | $1,560,263,700 |
| 8527.21 | Radios | $2,187,740,168 | $2,021,283,386 | $2,448,705,759 | $2,573,613,010 | $2,999,198,048 |
| 8527.29 | Other misc. radios | $327,962,776 | $227,002,460 | $221,058,802 | $228,240,373 | $101,889,177 |
| 8708.10 | Bumpers and parts | $1,187,561,334 | $963,238,740 | $1,175,439,841 | $1,231,774,027 | $1,186,568,473 |
| 8708.21 | Seat belts | $291,756,678 | $263,791,836 | $103,397,693 | $85,649,913 | $50,522,954 |
| 8708.29 | Body parts excluding cabs | $15,341,696,778 | $12,057,939,169 | $13,971,887,635 | $14,216,533,580 | $12,669,612,584 |
| 8708.30 | Brakes and parts | $5,680,553,573 | $4,628,060,660 | $5,371,795,213 | $5,371,731,502 | $4,720,451,933 |
| 8708.40 | Gear boxes | $8,369,323,227 | $6,840,062,681 | $7,905,105,235 | $8,475,257,221 | $7,820,277,349 |
| 8708.50 | Drive axles with differential | $4,858,699,249 | $3,626,562,372 | $4,394,075,637 | $4,295,366,026 | $3,809,725,580 |
| 8708.70 | Wheels and parts | $4,285,539,664 | $3,335,817,075 | $3,698,612,551 | $4,434,128,680 | $3,906,521,552 |
| 8708.80 | Shock absorbers | $4,172,114,333 | $3,253,204,135 | $3,657,846,200 | $3,971,086,895 | $3,569,458,609 |
| 8708.91 | Radiators | $913,367,827 | $773,001,203 | $876,265,297 | $973,833,763 | $908,374,172 |
| 8708.92 | Mufflers and exhaust | $1,148,661,956 | $849,670,857 | $1,036,293,229 | $998,028,616 | $850,628,221 |
| 8708.93 | Clutches and parts | $1,410,003,472 | $1,128,388,883 | $1,399,840,625 | $1,376,309,925 | $1,296,259,018 |
| 8708.94 | Steering parts | $3,843,160,879 | $3,413,524,338 | $4,105,854,471 | $4,323,989,945 | $4,060,479,614 |
| 8708.95 | Airbags | $1,703,417,435 | $1,785,164,725 | $2,369,710,727 | $2,506,056,822 | $2,745,797,600 |
| 8708.99 | All other automotive parts | $14,051,835,869 | $11,426,117,974 | $13,413,903,229 | $13,842,771,722 | $12,870,154,430 |
| 9401.20 | Seats | $234,179,760 | $241,153,505 | $253,571,436 | $211,629,137 | $177,441,451 |
Conclusion
US car parts import is a vital component of the nation’s automotive industry, supporting both vehicle production and the aftermarket. The record import volumes in 2021 underscore the strength and recovery of the sector following pandemic-related disruptions. Mexico, Canada, and China stand out as the leading sources of car parts import, reflecting established trade relationships and supply chain dynamics. The detailed data on import countries and part types provides valuable insights for businesses, policymakers, and analysts interested in understanding the intricacies of the US automotive parts market and its global connections.
(Information Sources: United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Foreign Trade Division; Bureau of the Census USA Trade and Investopedia. Import and export statistics pulled from TPIS Database: USHS IMPORTS, Revised Statistics for 2011-2021.)
