In the Dec. 31, 2025, Customs Bulletin and Decisions, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proposing to reclassify combination automotive fuel pumps and fuel level sensors as pumps for internal combustion engines under HTSUS 8413.30.90 (2.5 percent duty) rather than as liquid measuring instruments under HTSUS 9026.10.20 (duty-free). Ruling NY 809868 would be revoked to reflect this change. Comments on this proposed change are due by Jan. 31.
The items at issue are designed for insertion directly into the fuel tank of automobiles. The fuel pump portion consists of the pump, a suction filter, a discharge, and a return tube. The fuel sensor portion utilizes a float attached to a pivoting arm. As the fuel level changes the float causes a variable electrical signal to be transmitted to the dash-mounted fuel gauge.
CBP states that these items are composite machines, that their principal function is sending fuel from the tank to the engine, and that the pump performs this function. CBP adds that while the data collected by the fuel level sensor is undoubtedly useful to drivers, it is ancillary to this primary function.
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