HS Code:
The Work Holders category, classified under HS Code 8466, includes tools and equipment used to hold, support, or secure workpieces during machining or other industrial processes. These products are critical in manufacturing industries, including automotive, aerospace, and metalworking, as they ensure precision and safety during operations. Work holders encompass a range of items such as vises, clamps, chucks, and jigs, which are often used in conjunction with machine tools.
Total Trade Volume
USD 3.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-USMCA)
Rising demand for precision manufacturing
Increased need for advanced work holders with higher accuracy and durability, driving innovation and market growth.
2022
Automation in industrial processes
Growing integration of automated and robotic work holders to enhance efficiency in production lines.
2021-2022
Shift towards lightweight materials
Manufacturers are developing work holders compatible with composite and lightweight materials used in aerospace and automotive sectors.
2020-2022
The European Union introduced stricter quality and safety standards for imported work holders to ensure compliance with industrial safety regulations.
March 2023
Exporters to the EU market may face increased compliance costs, potentially affecting trade volumes from non-compliant countries.
A recent update to the US-China trade agreement reduced tariffs on certain industrial tools, including work holders, from 7.5% to 4%.
January 2023
This reduction is expected to boost Chinese exports of work holders to the US, benefiting manufacturers and lowering costs for US buyers.
Major manufacturers in Germany and Japan unveiled new lines of smart work holders equipped with IoT capabilities for real-time monitoring and adjustments.
October 2022
These innovations are likely to set new industry standards, increasing demand for high-tech work holders in advanced manufacturing sectors.