Why did my car repair bill go up?

Many aftermarket auto parts are manufactured in China and face tariffs of up to 25%. A set of brake rotors that used to cost $80 now costs $100 due to tariff surcharges. Shops pass these costs directly to customers.

Are EV parts tariffed too?

Yes, heavily. EV batteries and components from China face tariffs of 25% or more. This is one reason electric vehicles remain more expensive than comparable gas cars — tariff costs add $1,000-3,000 to an EV's total cost.

Do tariffs affect tire prices?

Yes. Tires from China face combined duties of up to 25%. Even tires from other countries face baseline tariffs of 4%. This adds $10-50 per tire to consumer prices, or $40-200 for a full set.

Tariff Rates

Tariff on Auto Parts & Accessories: Why Car Repairs Cost More Than Ever

U.S. tariffs on imported auto parts add 2.5-25% to the cost of vehicle maintenance and repair. The average household pays $200-500 per year in hidden tariff costs on auto parts and accessories. These duties are eligible for refund through the CBP CAPE program.

2.5-25%

tariff rate range

$200-500/year

avg. household impact

$85 billion

total U.S. imports

How Much Do Tariffs Add to Auto Parts & Accessories Prices?

Here's what tariffs actually cost you on common auto parts & accessories purchases.

Product	Tariff Rate	Price Impact
Tires	4-25%	$10-50 per tire
Brake Pads & Rotors	2.5-25%	$5-30 per set
Batteries (lead-acid)	3.5-25%	$10-40 per battery
Car Electronics	7.5-25%	$15-60 per unit
Filters & Belts	2.5-25%	$3-15 per part

2Mexico

3Japan

4South Korea

5Germany

China faces the highest tariff rates (up to 145% on some goods) due to Section 301 and IEEPA tariffs. Other countries face varying rates under IEEPA “reciprocal” tariffs.

Can You Get This Money Back?

For Importers

CAPE Tariff Refund Recovery

If you import auto parts & accessories, your entries may qualify for refund through the CBP CAPE program. Tariffi prepares your declaration data; your licensed customs broker partner files it.

Start your claim

For Consumers

B2B2C Refund Distribution

Individual consumers can't file CAPE declarations directly, but Tariffi's distribution program connects you with importers recovering refunds — so a portion of those savings can flow back to you.

Calculate your impact

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my car repair bill go up?: Many aftermarket auto parts are manufactured in China and face tariffs of up to 25%. A set of brake rotors that used to cost $80 now costs $100 due to tariff surcharges. Shops pass these costs directly to customers.
Are EV parts tariffed too?: Yes, heavily. EV batteries and components from China face tariffs of 25% or more. This is one reason electric vehicles remain more expensive than comparable gas cars — tariff costs add $1,000-3,000 to an EV's total cost.
Do tariffs affect tire prices?: Yes. Tires from China face combined duties of up to 25%. Even tires from other countries face baseline tariffs of 4%. This adds $10-50 per tire to consumer prices, or $40-200 for a full set.

Related resources

All tariff rates by product & country — browse tariff impacts across all categories
Tariff recovery by industry — refund pools for 30+ import sectors
IEEPA & Section 301 refund guides — step-by-step recovery guides
Tariff impact calculator — estimate your overpayment and potential refund

Calculate your tariff impact on auto parts & accessories

See exactly how much tariffs add to the auto parts & accessories you import or buy — and how much you could recover.

Calculate Your Tariff Impact

Questions? support@tariffi.io