Fiber laser cutting machines for the USA: made in China, and what that means

Made in China, not Made in USA

Our machines are made in China. They are not made in the USA, and we will not describe them that way. If your project requires domestic content, such as under a Buy American clause, or you simply want a US-built machine, we are not your supplier. If you are comparing imported fiber lasers, read on, because origin drives both duty and paperwork.

Customs duty: base rate plus additional duties

The base rate is only the start. The US Harmonized Tariff Schedule shows these general rates for laser-operated machine tools, read on 1 November 2026 (source 1):

USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (source 1). Confirm the line for your machine.

China-origin goods may then face additional duties. In a 2023 ruling on laser cutting and engraving machines, CBP classified those machines under 8456.11.9000 and said products of China under that subheading, unless specifically excluded, are subject to an additional 25 % under 9903.88.01 (source 2). That ruling covers those specific small machines, and duty rates change. A metal-cutting machine may classify differently.

Please verify with a licensed customs broker which Section 301 heading and any other additional duties apply on your entry date. We do not state a total, because it depends on classification, exclusions and rules that change; USTR publishes Section 301 actions (source 3).

Section 232: watch this one

On 28 October 2026 the White House announced a Section 232 proclamation on robotics, industrial machinery and their parts. The fact sheet directs Commerce and USTR to negotiate with trading partners and says further action may follow (source 4). The fact sheet does not list laser cutting machines or a tariff rate. Ask your broker whether the proclamation text affects your machine.

FDA: laser products need paperwork before import

Laser products sold in the US fall under FDA radiation-control rules, including the performance standard at 21 CFR 1040.10 (source 5). In practice, three things matter to an importer:

• Product report: 21 CFR 1002.1 sets reporting duties by laser class, and they apply to manufacturers (source 6). Ask for the FDA accession number for your exact model.
• US agent: before offering a product for import, a manufacturer of electronic products must designate a permanent US resident as its agent, under 21 CFR 1005.25, listed by FDA among its import rules (source 7).
• Form FDA 2877: the declaration for imported electronic products subject to radiation standards (source 7).

FDA's Laser Notice No. 56 sets out when it accepts conformance with IEC 60825-1 (source 8). We do not claim that an FDA report is on file for our machines. Before any US order, we would confirm the status for that model in writing; if it is not in place, the machine should not ship. Take advice from a regulatory consultant or your customs broker. Workplace safety rules also apply once the machine is running.

Power and site

US industrial supply differs from European and Chinese machines' usual 50 Hz specification. Tell us your exact voltage and frequency, and have each sub-unit confirmed in writing: motors, chiller, compressor and extraction. A 20–40 kW system needs a dedicated supply, so involve your electrician early (see power requirements). Local electrical inspection may also apply, so ask your inspector what listing or field evaluation is expected.

Service: what we can and cannot offer today

We do not yet have a service office or parts warehouse in the USA. Domestic suppliers can usually send a technician faster than we can. Support today is remote diagnostics, a starter spare-parts kit, and on-site work agreed in the quotation. Agree on critical spares to keep at your plant, and get response times in writing. See how to compare after-sales service.

Before you order

See also our overview of import duty on laser cutting machines from China.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. US International Trade Commission, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (read 1 November 2026) — hts.usitc.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. US Customs and Border Protection, ruling N334884 (6 September 2023) — rulings.cbp.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Office of the US Trade Representative, Section 301 tariff actions — ustr.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)
4. The White House, fact sheet on robotics and industrial machinery under Section 232 (28 October 2026) — www.whitehouse.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)
5. 21 CFR 1040.10, Laser products (eCFR) — www.ecfr.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)
6. 21 CFR 1002.1, Applicability of reporting requirements (eCFR) — www.ecfr.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)
7. FDA, Importing and Exporting Electronic Products — www.fda.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)
8. FDA, Laser Notice No. 56: conformance with IEC 60825-1 Ed. 3 — www.fda.gov (accessed 2026-10-20)