Tariff Rate Comparison
Industrial Machinery| Rate Type |  United Kingdom |  GermanyEU bilateral |
|---|---|---|
| MFN Base RateMost Favored Nation tariff | 2.00% | 2.00% |
| Section 122Emergency surcharge (expires ~Jul 24, 2026) | 15.00% | 15.00% |
| Section 232Steel & aluminum tariff | N/A | N/A |
| Section 301China-only additional tariff | N/A | N/A |
| Bilateral DealNegotiated rate replaces S122 | N/A | N/A |
| Total Effective Rate | 17.00% | 17.00% |
Rate Comparison by Product Category
| Product | United Kingdom | Germany | Savings ($10K) |
|---|---|---|---|
| industrial machinery | 17.0% | 17.0% | $0 |
| pharmaceutical ingredients | 2.0% | 2.0% | $0 |
| auto parts components | 28.0% | 28.0% | $0 |
| chemicals industrial compounds | 18.5% | 18.5% | $0 |
| consumer electronics | 16.5% | 16.5% | $0 |
Trade Agreement Status
United Kingdom has no bilateral agreement with the US and faces the standard Section 122 rate of 15% on most imports. Germany has no bilateral agreement with the US and faces the standard Section 122 rate of 15% on most imports. For products under Section 232 national security tariffs, the bilateral deal or Section 122 rate does not apply — S232 rates govern instead. China-origin goods additionally face Section 301 tariffs that stack on top of all other duties, making trade agreement status a defining factor in the total tariff burden.
When to Source from Each Country
United Kingdom offers lower tariff rates across all focus product categories in this comparison, making it the more cost-effective sourcing origin from a tariff perspective. Source from Germany when its supplier relationships, product specialization, or geographic advantages outweigh the tariff cost differential. Always model total landed cost — including freight, insurance, MPF, and HMF fees — before finalizing sourcing decisions.
Full Landed Cost — $10,000 Shipment
Industrial MachineryUnited KingdomFull Landed Cost Breakdown
Based on a $10,000 ocean shipment (FOB value)
GermanyFull Landed Cost Breakdown
Based on a $10,000 ocean shipment (FOB value)
Savings Analysis
On a $10,000 shipment of industrial machinery, importing from United Kingdom saves $0 in duties compared to Germany — a 0% reduction in total import costs. United Kingdom incurs $1,794 in duties on the $10,000 shipment, while Germany incurs $1,794. This difference compounds across larger order volumes and is a key factor in supplier selection decisions for importers sourcing industrial machinery.
Frequently Asked Questions
The total effective tariff rate on industrial machinery is 17% from United Kingdom and 17% from Germany under current 2026 tariff policy. These rates include the MFN base rate, applicable Section 122 surcharge or bilateral deal rate, Section 232 duties for covered products, and Section 301 tariffs for Chinese goods. Use the CalcMyTariff.com calculator above to enter your specific invoice value and shipping details for a precise landed cost breakdown.
United Kingdom does not have a formal trade agreement with the United States. Imports from United Kingdom are subject to the standard Section 122 global surcharge of 15% on most goods, stacked on top of MFN base rates.
Germany does not have a bilateral trade agreement with the US. Standard Section 122 surcharge rates apply on top of MFN base rates for imports from Germany.
United Kingdom is cheaper for pharmaceutical ingredients with a 2% total tariff rate, compared to 2% from Germany. On a $10,000 shipment, this 0% rate difference saves $0 in duties when sourcing from United Kingdom.
Section 122, enacted in February 2026 for up to 150 days, imposes a global surcharge on most US imports. United Kingdom faces Section 122 at 15%. Germany faces Section 122 at 15%. Note that Section 122 is scheduled to expire on July 24, 2026 — importers should model both current and post-expiry scenarios when planning shipments.