Sourcing from China
Importing EV Chargers into the US: Tariffs, UL / ETL Listing and Buy America
Importing EV chargers into the US in 2026: NRTL listing, FCC, ENERGY STAR, metering, Section 301 tariffs, recent tariff changes and Buy America.
- Prepared by
- VULTAE Engineering Team
- Published
- Reading time
- 4 min
- Sources
- 11 references
Key takeaways
- 1Chargers sold in the US need safety listing by an OSHA-recognised laboratory (an NRTL such as UL or Intertek/ETL) to UL 2594 for AC equipment or UL 2202 for DC chargers, plus FCC authorisation; ENERGY STAR is voluntary but required by many incentive programmes.
- 2China-origin chargers face Section 301 duties — 25 % on many subheadings — on top of normal duty. The IEEPA tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court in February 2026, and the temporary 10 % Section 122 surcharge that followed expired on 24 July 2026. Tariffs have changed repeatedly; confirm the rate for your exact HTS code on the day you import.
- 3Federally funded projects (NEVI, CFI and other FHWA programmes) require Buy America compliance: final assembly in the US and US-made components worth at least 55 % of total component cost, and FHWA proposed in February 2026 to raise that threshold up to 100 %. Imported Chinese chargers do not qualify.
- 4Privately funded sites — retail, hospitality, multifamily, dealerships, fleets and workplaces — are where imported chargers compete, provided they carry the right listing and meet local metering rules if energy is sold by the kWh.
Contents
Short answer: importing EV chargers from China into the United States is legal and common for privately funded projects, but four things decide whether it makes sense: the listing (UL 2594 or UL 2202 by an OSHA-recognised lab, plus FCC), the tariffs (Section 301 duties of 25 % on many charger subheadings, after a year of rapid tariff changes), Buy America (federally funded sites require US assembly and US content, so imported chargers are excluded), and metering rules if you sell energy by the kWh. This guide explains each, as of October 2026.
Tariff and funding rules in the US changed several times in 2025 and 2026. Treat the figures here as orientation and confirm the rate for your exact HTS code with a licensed customs broker before you order.
1. Product listing and authorisation
| Requirement | What it means for a charger | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| NRTL listing | AC EVSE to UL 2594; DC chargers to UL 2202; personnel protection to UL 2231; Canadian versions to CSA C22.2 No. 280 / 281 | Any OSHA-recognised NRTL — UL, Intertek (ETL), CSA, TÜV, SGS and others |
| National Electrical Code | Installation to NEC Article 625; the local inspector (authority having jurisdiction) expects listed equipment | Local building / electrical inspection |
| FCC | Part 15 for unintentional emissions; FCC equipment authorisation for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cellular modules | FCC-recognised labs and certification bodies |
| ENERGY STAR (voluntary) | Standby and efficiency criteria; often required by utility rebates for Level 2 chargers | EPA-recognised certification bodies; listed in the ENERGY STAR product finder |
| Metering (if selling by kWh) | NIST Handbook 44 Section 3.40 where adopted by the state; California CTEP type evaluation | State weights and measures |
A listing belongs to a specific model and factory. Check the model on your quotation against the NRTL’s online directory and the ENERGY STAR product finder before you buy.
2. Tariffs on chargers made in China
| Layer | Status (October 2026) | Applies to chargers? |
|---|---|---|
| Normal (MFN) duty | Depends on the HTS subheading | Yes |
| Section 301 (China) | In force; 25 % on many subheadings in 8504.40 and 8537.10 unless excluded | Yes, for China-origin goods |
| IEEPA tariffs (“fentanyl” and “reciprocal”) | Struck down by the Supreme Court on 20 February 2026; collection ended 24 February 2026 | No longer collected |
| Section 122 surcharge | 10 % from 24 February 2026; expired 24 July 2026 after 150 days | No longer in force |
| Section 232 | Applies to specific product categories designated by proclamation | Check whether any apply to your product |
The HTS code matters: US Customs has classified an AC charging station under 8537.10 and DC chargers under 8504.40 (see our shipping and HS code guide). Each subheading has its own normal duty and Section 301 status. Refund claims for IEEPA duties paid in 2025–2026 are a separate topic for your broker.
3. Buy America: why federally funded sites are different
Projects funded through the Federal Highway Administration — the NEVI formula programme, CFI grants and other federal-aid projects — must comply with Buy America:
- Under the waiver in force since 1 July 2024, a charger must have final assembly in the United States, and US-manufactured components must make up at least 55 % of the cost of all components.
- On 12 February 2026, FHWA proposed modifying the waiver to raise that threshold up to 100 %; the comment period closed on 16 March 2026. Check the FHWA Buy America page for the current status.
- NEVI sites also follow 23 CFR 680: CCS1 connectors on every DC port (NACS / J3400 allowed in addition), at least 150 kW per port at four ports, OCPP 2.0.1, ISO 15118 and 97 % annual uptime per port.
Imported chargers assembled in China do not meet Buy America, so they are not an option for these projects. Several Asian manufacturers have opened US assembly lines for this reason.
4. Where imported chargers make sense
| Site type | Funding | Imported chargers? |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels, retail, restaurants | Private, sometimes utility rebates | Yes, if listed; check rebate rules (often ENERGY STAR, networked) |
| Multifamily and workplace | Private, state or utility programmes | Yes, if the programme does not require domestic content |
| Dealerships and service centres | Private | Yes |
| Private fleet depots | Private | Yes |
| NEVI / CFI corridor sites | Federal | No — Buy America applies |
5. Clearing the goods
- Importer of record with a customs bond, usually through a licensed customs broker.
- ISF (10+2) filing before the ship is loaded in China, for ocean freight.
- Country-of-origin marking on each charger and its packaging (“Made in China”).
- Classification and valuation matching your commercial invoice — and the HTS code used for duty.
- Documents: invoice, packing list, bill of lading, listing information for the models, and FCC documentation if requested.
North American versions from VULTAE
Our North American models — VT-HW-NA wallboxes (32, 40 and 48 A, J1772) and VT-DF-NA DC fast chargers (480 V input, 60–360 kW, CCS1, NACS and CHAdeMO) — are designed to UL and CSA standards, with ETL and ENERGY STAR certification offered for the North American versions; we send the certificates for the exact model you order. They are made in China, so they suit privately funded projects rather than Buy America sites. See our North American standards guide and the 48 A Level 2 charger page.
Questions buyers ask
- Can I import EV chargers from China into the US?
- Yes, for privately funded projects, if the chargers are listed by a nationally recognised testing laboratory to the applicable UL standard, authorised under FCC rules, marked with their country of origin and cleared with the correct HTS code and duties. They cannot be used on projects funded under FHWA programmes that require Buy America compliance.
- What tariff applies to EV chargers from China?
- Normal US duty for the HTS subheading plus Section 301 duties on Chinese goods, which are 25 % on many 8504.40 and 8537.10 subheadings unless excluded. Additional tariffs imposed under IEEPA were struck down in February 2026 and the Section 122 surcharge expired in July 2026, but tariff policy changes often — ask a licensed customs broker for the current rate.
- Do EV chargers need UL certification in the US?
- Electrical equipment installed under the National Electrical Code is expected to be listed, and inspectors (the authority having jurisdiction) normally require it. Listing can come from any OSHA-recognised NRTL — UL, Intertek (ETL), CSA, TÜV and others — testing to UL 2594 for AC EVSE or UL 2202 for DC chargers.
- Do imported chargers qualify for NEVI funding?
- No. NEVI and other FHWA-funded projects must meet Buy America: under the waiver in force since July 2024, the charger must be assembled in the US and at least 55 % of its component cost must be US-made. FHWA proposed in February 2026 to raise this threshold.
- Do I need ENERGY STAR for EV chargers?
- It is voluntary, but many utility rebates and state programmes require ENERGY STAR certified Level 2 chargers. Check the programme rules before choosing a model, and check the model number in the ENERGY STAR product finder.
- Are there metering rules for commercial EV charging in the US?
- Yes, where energy is sold by the kilowatt-hour. Many states apply NIST Handbook 44 Section 3.40 for electric vehicle fueling systems, and California requires type evaluation through its CTEP programme for commercial EVSE. Check your state’s weights and measures rules.
References
- [1]Ambassador Greer issues statement on Supreme Court IEEPA decision. Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
- [2]US Supreme Court holds IEEPA does not authorize tariffs: key takeaways. DLA Piper.
- [3]Supreme Court invalidates IEEPA tariffs, administration replaces with new surcharge. BDO.
- [4]CBP ruling N313573 — AC electric vehicle charging station (heading 8537.10). U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- [5]CBP ruling N324397 — DC electric vehicle charging station (heading 8504.40). U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- [6]Buy America — Federal Highway Administration. Federal Highway Administration.
- [7]Proposed modification of the waiver of Buy America requirements for electric vehicle chargers (Federal Register, 12 February 2026). GovInfo.
- [8]23 CFR Part 680 — National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Standards and Requirements. eCFR.
- [9]Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program. OSHA.
- [10]ENERGY STAR certified EV chargers — product finder. U.S. EPA.
- [11]NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Section 3.40 Electric Vehicle Fueling Systems. NIST.
