Electronics and appliances are a key aluminium market. Extruded and die-cast heat sinks, LED light housings, server and telecom enclosures, and appliance panels move heat away and keep weight down. With Vietnam now one of the largest electronics exporters to the US, many of these parts are made and shipped from here.
Classification: often not Chapter 76
A plain extruded heat-sink profile may be classified as an aluminium profile (7604). Once it is machined and dedicated to a particular device, it is often classified as a part of that machine or electrical apparatus in Chapter 84 or 85. Enclosures and appliance parts follow the same logic. The code matters twice. It sets the base duty, and it decides whether the item appears on a Section 232 derivative annex.
Section 232 for aluminium-containing parts
- Since April 2026, listed derivatives pay 232 duty on full customs value, not only the aluminium content.
- Reported guidance describes a metal-content test, so parts with little aluminium may fall outside. A solid aluminium heat sink will usually not.
- New derivatives can be added at any time. Check before each new quotation — see DDP landed cost.
Air or ocean?
| Situation | Mode |
|---|---|
| Prototype, pilot run, line-down recovery | Air or express — see air freight |
| Regular weekly or monthly volumes | Ocean LCL or FCL — see sea freight |
| Mixed: steady base plus spikes | Ocean to a US buffer warehouse, air for top-ups |
Packing finished surfaces
- Anodised and painted parts: individual bags or separators, trays and anti-scratch foam.
- Thermal-interface or adhesive pads: protect release liners and control humidity.
- Lot and revision labels so the buyer's incoming inspection can trace parts.
Why DDP helps electronics buyers
US contract manufacturers and brand owners want parts delivered to the line, cleared and with no duty invoices arriving weeks later. A DDP set-up with a known duty line per part number keeps their bill of materials cost stable, and turns your logistics into a selling point.
Related: alloy and HTS guide · AIM licences · shipping samples to the US.