U.S. Department of Commerce Begins Inquiry on Engine Import Rules From China
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On July 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce began a new inquiry. This is about if some engines from China are trying to avoid U.S. import rules. These rules add extra taxes, called antidumping and countervailing duties, to certain engines from China.
Briggs & Stratton, a U.S. engine maker, asked for this inquiry. They want to know if two engine models made by Chongqing Zongshen General Power Machine Co., Ltd. in China are bypassing the current rules. The models are called 5C65M0 and BC70M0.
These engines are currently not included in the import rules. They are labeled “Commercial” or “Heavy Commercial” engines, which are usually excluded. But Briggs & Stratton says these two engine models were made after the original rules were set. They believe these models are only slightly different from engines already restricted, and should now be included in the list that gets the extra taxes.
The U.S. Department of Commerce will look at several things, including:
- Do these new engines look and work the same as the ones already covered by the rules?
- Are the buyers’ hopes and uses the same?
- Are they sold the same way as the other engines?
- Are the engines advertised like the ones already restricted?
- Were these engines available in stores or ready to sell before the rule-making started?
If engines are found to fit these, they may be added to the rule. This would mean the special taxes will apply.
The inquiry will not only review Zongshen’s engine models. It may cover all small commercial vertical shaft engines from China. Engines without some commercial features or with some home-use features might also be part of the review, no matter who makes or sells them.
The Department of Commerce expects to decide within 150 days of this notice. This means there could be a decision by the end of 2025.
The engines discussed in these rules are small, spark-ignited, vertical shaft engines, with a size between 99 cubic centimeters (cc) and less than 225 cc. They are mainly used for walk-behind lawn mowers and other outdoor power tools like pressure washers. Engines covered by these rules must follow certain EPA air pollution standards.
Some engines are excluded, like “Commercial” or “Heavy Commercial” types. To be excluded, an engine must:
- Be at least 160 cc in size,
- Have a cast iron cylinder liner,
- Have an automatic compression release,
- Have a muffler with at least three chambers and a volume over 400 cc.
Currently, only the parts for these engines are under the extra tax if imported together. Mounting the engine on equipment does not keep it out of the rules; only the engine is taxed.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will keep holding any engines that may be part of this review.
The Department of Commerce has put full details on their website. All interested companies and people have been notified about this new inquiry.
More updates will come as the Commerce Department continues its review.
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