HS Code:
Connecting rods, classified under HS Code 8409.91 (for internal combustion engines) or related codes depending on the specific application, are critical components in automotive and industrial machinery. They connect the piston to the crankshaft, converting reciprocating motion into rotational motion. This category includes connecting rods made from various materials such as steel, aluminum, and titanium, catering to automotive, marine, and aerospace industries. They are essential for engine performance and durability, with demand driven by the global automotive production and industrial machinery sectors.
Total Trade Volume
USD 3.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
UN Comtrade Database & International Trade Centre (ITC)
USD 650 million
20.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 550 million
17.2% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 480 million
15.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 400 million
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 250 million
7.8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA or USMCA)
Shift towards lightweight materials
Increased demand for aluminum and titanium connecting rods to improve fuel efficiency in vehicles, driven by stringent emission regulations globally.
2021-2023
Rise in electric vehicle (EV) production
Potential decline in demand for connecting rods in traditional internal combustion engines, though hybrid vehicles still require them.
2022-2025
Automation in manufacturing
Reduced production costs and improved precision in connecting rod manufacturing, boosting supply capacity from countries like China and India.
2020-2023
The European Union imposed provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 8% to 15% on connecting rods imported from certain Chinese manufacturers, citing unfair pricing practices.
March 2023
Likely to increase costs for European importers, potentially shifting demand to suppliers in India and Japan.
Under the USMCA agreement, tariff-free trade of automotive components including connecting rods has increased between the US, Canada, and Mexico.
July 2022
Strengthened regional supply chains, benefiting US and Mexican manufacturers with reduced trade barriers.
Major automotive suppliers in Germany and Japan unveiled new lightweight connecting rod designs using advanced composites, targeting hybrid and high-performance vehicles.
September 2023
Expected to drive demand for premium connecting rods, particularly in the European and Asian markets.