CBP Informed Compliance Publication: "Vehicles, Parts and Accessories" (2011)
Trade Community Should Know About:*
Vehicles, Parts and
Accessories Under
the HTSUS
AN INFORMED COMPLIANCE PUBLICATION
U.S. CUSTOMS and BORDER PROTECTION
This publication is intended to provide guidance and information to the trade community.
It reflects the position on or interpretation of the applicable laws or regulations by U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as of the date of publication, which is shown on
the front cover. It does not in any way replace or supersede those laws or regulations.
Only the latest official version of the laws or regulations is authoritative.
First Published: May 1997
Revised February 2001
Revised January 2004
Reviewed with No Changes May 2005
Reviewed with No Changes April 2006
Revised August 2008
Revised April 2009
Revised May 2009
Revised March 2010
Reviewed with No Changes February 2011
This publication was designed for electronic distribution via the CBP website
(http://www.cbp.gov/) and is being distributed in a variety of formats. It was originally set
up in Microsoft Word97®. Pagination and margins in downloaded versions may vary
depending upon which word processor or printer you use. If you wish to maintain the
original settings, you may wish to download the .pdf version, which can then be printed
using the freely available Adobe Acrobat Reader®.
On December 8, 1993, Title VI of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act (Pub. L. 103-182, 107 Stat. 2057), also known as the Customs Modernization or “Mod” Act, became effective. These provisions amended many sections of the Tariff Act of 1930 and related laws.
Two new concepts that emerge from the Mod Act are “informed compliance” and “shared responsibility,” which are premised on the idea that in order to maximize voluntary compliance with laws and regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the trade community needs to be clearly and completely informed of its legal obligations. Accordingly, the Mod Act imposes a greater obligation on CBP to provide the public with improved information concerning the trade community’s rights and responsibilities under customs regulations and related laws. In addition, both the trade and U.S. Customs and Border Protection share responsibility for carrying out these requirements. For example, under Section 484 of the Tariff Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1484), the importer of record is responsible for using reasonable care to enter, classify and determine the value of imported merchandise and to provide any other information necessary to enable U.S. Customs and Border Protection to properly assess duties, collect accurate statistics, and determine whether other applicable legal requirements, if any, have been met. CBP is then responsible for fixing the final classification and value of the merchandise. An importer of record’s failure to exercise reasonable care could delay release of the merchandise and, in some cases, could result in the imposition of penalties.
Regulations and Rulings (RR) of the Office of International Trade has been given a major role in meeting the informed compliance responsibilities of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In order to provide information to the public, CBP has issued a series of informed compliance publications on new or revised requirements, regulations or procedures, and a variety of classification and valuation issues.
This publication, prepared by the National Commodity Specialist Division of Regulations and Rulings is entitled “Vehicles, Parts and Accessories Under the HTSUS”. It provides guidance regarding the classification of these items. We sincerely hope that this material, together with seminars and increased access to rulings of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will help the trade community to improve voluntary compliance with customs laws and to understand the relevant administrative processes.
The material in this publication is provided for general information purposes only. Because many complicated factors can be involved in customs issues, an importer may wish to obtain a ruling under Regulations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 19 C.F.R. Part 177, or to obtain advice from an expert who specializes in customs matters, for example, a licensed customs broker, attorney or consultant.
Comments and suggestions are welcomed and should be addressed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of International Trade, Executive Director, Regulations and Rulings, 799 9th Street N.W. 7th floor, Washington, D.C. 20229-1177.
Executive Director, Regulations and Rulings Office of International Trade (This page intentionally left blank)
INTRODUCTION...7
THE HEADINGS OF CHAPTER 87...7
PARTS AND ACCESSORIES...9
Parts Of General Use...10
Parts Provided For Elsewhere...11
GOOD INVOICING IS ESSENTIAL...15
NAFTA...15
FOREIGN TRADE ZONES...16
ADDENDUM: AUTOMOTIVE BASKET PROVISIONS IN CHAPTER 87
AND MOST LIKELY ERRORS...16
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...21
The Internet...21
Customs Regulations...21
Customs Bulletin...21
Importing into the United States...22
Informed Compliance Publications...22
Value Publications...23
“Your Comments are Important”...24 (This page intentionally left blank)
The HTSUS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) is a rather intimidating piece of work. It is six and one-quarter inches thick and has more than 10,000 different ten-digit tariff classifications in it.
Vehicles (other than railway or tramway rolling-stock) are provided for in Chapter 87. Many of the parts and accessories for such vehicles are also classifiable in Chapter 87, but there are many exceptions. Knowing which tariff classification applies to a given article is not as easy as one might think. For one thing, as mentioned above, there are General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs for short) listed in the front of the book which govern tariff classification. For another, the legal notes to Section XVII, which includes Chapter 87, exclude many items which would seemingly go there.
The goal of this publication is to explain in simple layman's language how such vehicles and their parts and accessories are classified so that importers, exporters, customs brokers and Customs officers will know how to classify them correctly.
Before getting into specifics, however, a clarification of what constitutes a "vehicle" would appear to be in order. The term "vehicle" is derived from the Latin word "vehiculum." It means a carriage or conveyance. The type of vehicles which go in Chapter 87 are, for the most part, those whose main function is to transport people or things from one place to another (three exceptions: tractors, special purpose motor vehicles and armored fighting vehicles). Mobile machines, in which a propelling base forms an integral part of a machine designed for handling, excavating, etc., are not considered, for tariff purposes, to be vehicles of Chapter 87. Fork lift trucks, excavators, bulldozers, front-end loaders and the like are classifiable in Chapter 84 along with other "Machinery and Mechanical Appliances."
Altogether there are sixteen different four-digit tariff headings or main groupings in Chapter 87. These are:
fighting vehicles, concrete mixers, road sweepers, spraying vehicles, mobile workshops, mobile radiological units)
For those concerned with things “automotive,” the principal headings of interest are 8701-8708. Heading 8701 covers all tractors except those of heading 8709 (the term “tractors” is defined in Note 2 to Chapter 87 as “vehicles constructed essentially for hauling or pushing another vehicle, appliance or load” and includes, in subheading 8701.20, road tractors which pull semi-trailers). Heading 8702 covers motor buses and coaches. Heading 8703 covers vehicles for transporting people, like cars. Heading 8704 covers vehicles for transporting goods. Heading 8705 covers special purpose motor vehicles other than those principally designed for the transport of persons or goods (e.g. garbage trucks, even those with compactors, would go in 8704 if their principal function is to transport trash). It does not, however, cover self-propelled wheeled machines in which the chassis and the working machine are specially designed for each other and form an integral mechanical unit (road graders go in Ch. 84). Heading 8706 covers chassis with engines for all the foregoing vehicles, but does not include chassis fitted with engines and cabs (they go in headings 8702-8704). Heading 8707 covers bodies, including cabs, for the foregoing vehicles. And lastly, heading 8708 covers parts and accessories for these motor vehicles. In general, articles are “parts” if they cannot be used on their own but must be combined with other articles to form goods capable of fulfilling an intended function; “accessories” are articles that are not needed to enable the goods with which they are used to fulfill their intended function.
Pretty simple stuff, right? Wrong! As anyone who has followed the ups and downs of sport utility vehicle classification over the years knows, it’s not so easy sometimes to determine which heading a given article should have for tariff purposes. If a multipurpose vehicle is suitable for carrying both passengers and cargo, and has characteristics associated with both cars and trucks, should it go in 8703 or 8704? U. S. Customs for many years considered two-door sport utility vehicles like the Nissan Pathfinder to be motor vehicles for the transport of goods, which made them subject to a 25% duty. This position was eventually overturned by the courts, however, and such vehicles are now classifiable with motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons.
As complicated as vehicle classification can be, however, it’s usually much easier than trying to classify parts and accessories for them. For, while heading 8708 reads “Parts and accessories of the motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705,” it does not cover all such parts.
In order for motor vehicle parts or accessories to be classifiable under heading 8708, they must satisfy all three of the following conditions:
1. They must be identifiable as being suitable for use solely or principally with motor vehicles of headings 8701-8705.
2. They must not be excluded by Section XVII, Note 2.
3. They must not be more specifically provided for elsewhere in the HTSUS.
As we said in the beginning, classification is governed by six GRIs. Of these, the most important is the first one. GRI 1 provides that “classification shall be determined according to the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes.” If you can classify goods using it, there is no need to refer to the others which follow in sequential order.
Since the provisions for motor vehicles in Chapter 87 are incorporated in Section XVII of the HTSUS, the legal notes to that section are particularly important. It is from there, in fact, that the first two conditions given above are derived. The third condition is based on GRI 3(a) which states that when goods are classifiable under two or more headings, the heading which provides the most specific description shall be preferred. The Additional U. S. Rules of Interpretation, which follow the GRIs in the HTSUS, reinforce this principle by providing in paragraph 1(c) that “a provision for parts of an article covers products solely or principally used as a part of such articles, but a provision for “parts” or “parts and accessories” shall not prevail over a specific provision for such part or accessory.” Unless one is dealing with parts which have multiple applications on motor vehicles of Chapter 87 and machines of Chapter 84, the first of these conditions is not likely to be a problem. Most parts used on cars and trucks are, after all, usually used only on motor vehicles--not other machines. The second condition, however, is another story. The exclusions listed in the notes to Section XVII are many and, to the untrained observer, easy to overlook. Among other things, these notes exclude all joints, washers or the like of any material; articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber; parts of general use, as defined in Note 2 to Section XV (whether made of base metal or plastic) and gears and other transmission equipment of heading 8483 which are integral components of engines or motors (clutches, gears, torque converters. Other vehicle transmission equipment of heading 8483 which is not an integral component of engines or motors goes in heading 8708).
In a similar vein, one must also keep in mind that some automotive parts and accessories which are specifically provided for in other chapters may still be classifiable in heading 8708 if they are excluded by other section or chapter notes. One not only has to be aware of Section XVII's notes, but those of other sections and chapters that might apply. Chapter 39, for example, has a note which excludes parts of vehicles of Section XVII. Consequently, a plastic hose or tube which is a finished auto part would go under 8708 rather than 3917 which is a specific provision.
It is also important to keep in mind that legal notes in one place may be offset in another section or chapter. The aforementioned Chapter 39 legal note excluding parts of Section XVII vehicles does not mean that plastic gaskets or plastic mountings and fittings for doors, windows and coachwork go in 8708. Such articles are excluded from Chapter 87 by the exclusionary notes to Section XVII which cover “joints, washers or the like of any material” and “parts of general use.”
The term “parts of general use,” incidentally, is one that is often misunderstood by importers and exporters who come across the phrase. Contrary to what a lot of people think, it does not mean “parts which have multiple applications” or “parts which have no principal use.” Made-to-order parts that are suitable for only one particular application and are not good for anything else, can still be “parts of general use.” The term has a very precise legal definition which may be found in Note 2 to Section XV. For purposes of Section XVII, it means the following types of articles whether made of iron or steel, some other base metal, or plastic:
7312 Stranded wire, ropes, cables, plaited bands, slings and the like, not electrically insulated
II. Springs and leaves for springs, other than clock or watch springs
III. Articles of heading:
Parts Provided For Elsewhere
Of all the classification mistakes made by persons who are trying to classify auto parts using the HTSUS, the one most frequently encountered by U. S. Customs import specialists has to do with the third condition mentioned earlier – classifying parts and accessories under heading 8708 when they are more specifically provided for elsewhere (and there are no legal notes requiring that they go in Chapter 87). While a complete listing of all such parts is beyond the scope of this publication, a partial list of some of the more common ones and their appropriate headings appears below:
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Air conditioners | 8415 |
| Alternators | 8511 |
| Antennas | 8529 |
| Antifreeze | 3820 |
| Batteries | 8507 |
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Bearings, ball and/or roller | 8482 |
| Bearing housings and housed bearings | 8483* |
| Bearings, plain shaft type | 8483* |
| Belts of rubber | 4010 |
| Bodies (including cabs) | 8707 |
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Bolts & other fasteners of iron or steel | 7318 |
| Brake friction material & articles, not mounted, of asbestos, some other mineral substance or cellulose | 6813 |
| Bushings (if plain shaft bearings) | 8483* |
| Cable, electrical (insulated) | 8544 |
| Cable, non-electrical, of steel | 7312 |
| Capacitors | 8532 |
| Camshafts & crankshafts | 8483* |
| Carpets, tufted | 5703 |
| Carpets, woven, not tufted or flocked | 5702 |
| Chain of iron or steel (including timing chain) | 7315 |
| Chain sprockets | 8483* |
| Chassis fitted with engine | 8706 |
| Cigarette lighters | 9613 |
| Circuit breakers | 8536 |
| Clamps of iron or steel for hoses | 7326 |
| Clocks | 9104 |
| Clutch friction material & articles, not mounted, of asbestos, some other mineral substance or cellulose | 6813 |
| Compressors | 8414 |
| Control Boxes & panels | 8537 |
| Decals | 4908 |
| Defrosters & demisters | 8512 |
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Distributors & other ignition/starting equipment | 8511 |
| Engines, diesel | 8408 |
| Engines, gasoline | 8407 |
| Engine parts, not provided for elsewhere | 8409 |
| Fans & Blowers | 8414 |
| Filters | 8421 |
| Fittings & mountings of base metal | 8302 |
| Fittings & mountings of plastic | 3926 |
| Fittings of iron or steel for pipes & tubes | 7307 |
| Flexible tubing of base metal | 8307 |
| Floor mats of rubber | 4016 |
| Flywheels | 8483* |
| Fuel injectors for gasoline engines | 8481 |
| Fuel injectors for diesel engines | 8413 |
| Fuses & similar electrical apparatus | 8536 |
| Gauges | 9026 |
| Gaskets See Informed Compliance Publication on Gaskets. | |
| Gears | 8483* |
| Generators | 8511 |
| Handles & knobs of plastic | 3926 |
| Handles & knobs of rubber | 4016 |
| Harnesses, electrical | 8544 |
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Heaters, electrical | 8516 |
| Hoists, jacks, winches & other lifting equipment | 8425 |
| Horns & other sound or visual signaling equipment | 8512 |
| Hoses of rubber | 4009 |
| Hydraulic cylinders | 8412 |
| Integrated circuits | 8542 |
| Lamps | 8539 |
| Lenses of glass, signaling & optical | 7014 |
| Lighting equipment | 8512 |
| Locks & keys | 8301 |
| Magnets & electromagnetic articles | 8505 |
| Manuals & other printed matter | 4901 |
| Mirrors | 7009 |
| Motors, electric | 8501 |
| Motors, hydraulic or pneumatic | 8412 |
| Nameplates, signplates, etc.; parts thereof of base metal | 8310 |
| Nuts & other fasteners of iron or steel | 7318 |
| Pins, cotter or dowel, & other fasteners of iron or steel | 7318 |
| Printed circuit boards, blank | 8534 |
| Printed circuit boards, populated | 8537 |
| Pulleys | 8483* |
| Pumps for air | 8414 |
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Pumps for liquids | 8413 |
| Radios, with or without tape & CD players | 8527 |
| Relays & similar electrical apparatus | 8536 |
| Resistors, electrical | 8533 |
| Rivets of iron or steel, except the bifurcated or tubular kind | 7318 |
| Rivets of base metal, bifurcated or tubular kind | 8308 |
| Screws & other fasteners of iron or steel | 7318 |
| Seals of plastic | 3926 |
| Seals of rubber | 4016 |
| Seats, cushions & other articles of furniture | 9401 |
| Shafts, transmission | 8483* |
| Sparkplugs | 8511 |
| Speedometers & odometers | 9029 |
| Springs of steel | 7320 |
| Springs of copper | 7415 |
| Starter motors | 8511 |
| Studs & other fasteners of steel | 7318 |
| Switches & similar electrical apparatus | 8536 |
| Tape & CD players without a radio | 8519 |
| Thermostats, without valves | 9032 |
| Tires | 4011 |
| Tool (Hand tools) Kit | 8205 |
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Transformers, electrical | 8504 |
| Turbochargers | 8414 |
| Universal joints | 8483* |
| Valves | 8481 |
| Voltage regulators | 8511 |
| DESCRIPTION | HTSUS |
|---|---|
| Washers & other fasteners of iron or steel | 7318 |
| Windshield window safety glass | 7007 |
| Windshield wipers | 8512 |
| Wire & wiring sets (insulated) | 8544 |
| Wrenches | 8204 |
When consulting the above list, please keep in mind that it is being offered for reference purposes only and does not reflect the official position of how U.S. Customs thinks every part described should be classified. A chassis fitted with an engine and a cab, for example, is considered an unfinished vehicle classifiable in headings 8702-8704 rather than a chassis for purposes of classification in heading 8706. Non-electrical steel cable of specific length and thickness which has special, permanent fittings may be classifiable in heading 8708 rather than heading 7312. Populated printed circuit boards, control modules and sensors which perform a measuring, checking, automatic regulating or controlling function with respect to liquids, gases, temperature, etc. may be classifiable under headings 9026-9032 rather than heading 8537. Valves are provided for in heading 8481, but intake and exhaust 'valves' for internal combustion piston engines are classifiable under heading 8409 because they do not incorporate a valve body. Thermostats which consist of a valve are considered valves of heading 8481--not thermostats of heading 9032. Clutch facings containing mineral substances that are not its principal or fundamental substances, do not have a basis of mineral substances and may be classifiable under heading 8708 rather than heading 6813. Also, be aware that specifically-manufactured parts of parts are usually provided for within the same heading or a subsequent one in close proximity, but some components may be specifically provided for elsewhere in the HTSUS or precluded by section or chapter notes (e.g., windshield wipers are classifiable in heading 8512, but their rubber refill blades are classifiable in heading 4016).
Even if a person knows the GRIs as well as they know their own social security number and is aware of all the relevant legal and explanatory notes, classification is just guesswork if invoices do not give complete and accurate descriptions of what is being imported. This is especially true when there is a lack of uniformity between Customs and trade definitions. Fasteners are a good case in point. Many shippers of automotive parts consider just about any threaded fastener that can be used with a nut to be a “bolt.” To Customs and the fastener industry, however, a threaded fastener which is used with a nut may be a “screw” that has a duty rate which is more than twelve times higher! According to the Explanatory Notes for heading 7318, a bolt is designed to engage in a nut, whereas screws for metal are more usually screwed into a hole tapped in the material to be fastened. Screws are, therefore, generally threaded throughout their length, whereas bolts usually have a part of the shank unthreaded. These are, however, just a few of the characteristics that need to be examined. Both U.S. Customs and the fastener industry rely on a whole series of primary and supplemental criteria to distinguish a bolt from a screw.
Some other terms for auto parts that can be a problem because they are so vague are “actuator,” “bearing,” “gasket,” “seal,” “solenoid,” “valve,” and “washer.” Such descriptions by themselves are too broad to classify the goods properly and there is more than one classification and duty rate which could apply. Without more specific information, Customs officers may assume the classification with the highest duty rate is the right one--to the detriment of the party paying the duties. Needless to say, it is to the shipper and importer’s advantage to make sure such articles are described fully enough to avoid further inquiries or unwarranted additional duty assessments from Customs.
No discussion of automotive classification would be complete, of course, without some mention of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which went into effect on January 1, 1994. NAFTA is significant because it (1) reduced the rates of duty on originating Canadian service parts and (2) extended preferential trade benefits to Mexico. The letters “CA” in the Special Rates of Duty column of the HTSUS indicate the free or reduced rate that applies to “originating” Canadian parts, while an “MX” denotes the free or reduced rate that applies to Mexican parts which qualify.
All the various rules of NAFTA eligibility are too complicated to deal with here, but they are explained in great detail in General Note 12 of the HTSUS and in Part 181 of Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (note: the NAFTA regulations covering country of origin marking are in Part 102).
If, after consulting these sources, you are still confused about such concepts as “rules of origin,” “regional value content,” “preference criterion,” the difference between the “transaction value method” and the “net cost method,” etc., U. S. Customs has posted specific information pertaining to NAFTA on its website ( http://www.cbp.gov).
Just click on the “Trade” tab at the top of the page, the “Trade Programs” link on the left-hand side of the following page, scroll down and click on “International Agreements” and “Free Trade Agreements” on the next two pages and, finally, click on “North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)” on the last page.
One additional final topic we would be remiss not to mention is Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs). FTZs, which are sometimes known internationally as “free zones” or “free trade zones,” are enclosed geographic areas where imported and domestic merchandise may be brought without being subject to formal Customs entry procedures. While in an FTZ, goods may be stored or processed through a variety of operations and, later, be re-exported without payment of duties. Duties and taxes are only payable if and when the imported merchandise is entered into U. S. commerce for consumption. Unlike the zones established in most other countries, U. S. zone importers have the advantage of being able to choose when the goods enter the zone and whether they want the goods to be assessed an applicable duty rate based on their condition at the time they were placed in the zone (privileged foreign status) or on their condition when they are entered for consumption from the zone (non-privileged foreign status). The first FTZ was established on Staten Island in 1936. At last count, there were approximately 250 public zones and approximately 520 subzones in the United States (a subzone is a special-purpose operation run by a single firm). For more on this subject, see Part 146 of Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations and Part 400 of Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
“Basket Provision” is the common term for tariff numbers which encompass goods that are not classifiable in other, more specific provisions.
Below, is a compilation of the most commonly used basket provisions in Chapter 87 and the most likely items that would be incorrectly classified in those provisions.
It must be remembered that the list indicates only the major errors. And, be reminded that, all “Parts of General Use” as defined in Note 2 to Section XV are absolutely excluded from any provision in Chapter 87.
| HS Number | Description | Possible Errors |
|---|---|---|
| 8708.10.3050 | Bumpers and parts thereof: Bumpers: Other | Fasteners. Bumper parts. Metal bumpers which are stamped. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. |
| 8708.10.6050 | Bumpers and parts thereof: Parts of bumpers: Other | Fasteners. Metal bumper parts which are stamped. Body parts. Rubber cushions or grommets. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. |
|---|---|---|
| 8708.29.2500 | Other parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs): Other: Body stampings: Other | Fasteners. Body parts not of metal (e.g., Fiberglass). Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. Bumpers and bumper parts. Very small body stampings. |
| 8708.29.5060 | Other parts and accessories of bodies (including cabs): Other: Other: Other | Fasteners. Bumper parts. Fittings and mountings. Carpeting. Locks and their mechanisms. Weather seals of any material. Glass other than framed windows. Side view mirrors. Chassis parts. Airbags and their parts. Air fresheners. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. Body Stampings. |
| 8708.30.5090 | Brakes and servo-brakes; parts thereof: For other vehicles: Other | Fasteners. ABS systems. Unmounted brake linings of mineral. Brake fluid. Wheel hubs and their parts. Axles and other shafts. Springs. Electrical switches and cables. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. |
| 8708.50.5110 | Drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components, and non-driving axles; For vehicles [principally designed for the transport of persons]: Drive axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components | Drive-axles without differentials. |
|---|---|---|
| 8708.50.6100 | Drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components, and non-driving axles; For other vehicles: Drive axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components | Drive-axles without differentials. |
| 8708.50.7900 8708.50.8100 8708.50.8500 8708.50.8900 8708.50.9110 8708.50.9150 8708.50.9300 8708.50.9500 8708.50.9900 | Drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other transmission components, and non-driving axles; parts thereof: Parts | Fasteners. Wheel hubs and parts. Brake parts. Suspension parts. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. |
| 8708.70.6060 | Road wheels and parts and accessories thereof: For other vehicles: Parts and accessories: Other. | Fasteners. Wheel hubs. Brake parts. Tires and tire studs or chains. Wheel rims and covers (hub caps). Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. |
| 8708.80.1600 | Suspension systems (including shock absorbers): For other vehicles: Other. | Parts of suspensions. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. |
|---|---|---|
| 8708.80.6000 8708.80.6510 8708.80.6590 | Suspension systems and parts thereof: (including shock absorbers): Parts: Other | Fasteners. Suspension springs, coils and leaf springs. Parts of suspensions. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. |
| 8708.92.5000 | Mufflers and exhaust pipes: For other vehicles | Catalytic converters. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers.. |
| 8708.92.7000 8708.92.7500 | Mufflers and exhaust pipes; parts thereof: Parts: For other vehicles | Fasteners. Catalytic converters. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. Seals or gaskets of any material. Vibration control goods containing rubber. |
| 8708.93.7500 | Other parts and accessories: Clutches and parts thereof: For other vehicles: Other. | Fasteners. Complete clutches. Springs of any kind. Other transmission parts. Clutch release bearings (HTS 8482). |
| 8708.94.7510 8708.94.7550 | Other parts and accessories: Steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes; parts thereof: Parts: For other vehicles | Fasteners. Complete steering systems. Suspension system parts. Airbags and their parts. Turn signal levers. Horns. Aftermarket steering wheel wraps. |
| 8708.99.6890 | Other parts and accessories: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other parts for power trains: Other | Fasteners. Clutches or clutch parts. Bearings (HTS 8482). Springs of any kind. |
| 8708.99.8180 | Other parts and accessories: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other: Other | Fasteners. Parts of any specific automotive subsystem listed individually in HTS 8708. Fittings and mountings of HTS 8302. Carpets. Unframed windows. Springs of any kind. Bearings of HTS 8482. Parts of motorcycles or invalid carriages. Parts and Accessories which are more specifically classified in other headings throughout the HTS, such as luggage, furniture parts, lighting goods and other electrical apparatus, pumps, valves, etc. Parts of non-self-propelled vehicles, such as trailers. Parts of airbags. |
|---|---|---|
This publication was prepared to assist importers, exporters and other members of the international trade community in the application of the somewhat complex, and at times confusing, classification provisions and rules that govern the parts and accessories of motor vehicles. Hopefully, it has cleared up some misconceptions and will serve as a useful reference guide.
The home page of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the Internet's World Wide Web, provides the trade community with current, relevant information regarding CBP operations and items of special interest. The site posts information -- which includes proposed regulations, news releases, publications and notices, etc. -- that can be searched, read on-line, printed or downloaded to your personal computer. The web site was established as a trade-friendly mechanism to assist the importing and exporting community. The web site also links to the home pages of many other agencies whose importing or exporting regulations that U.S. Customs and Border Protection helps to enforce. The web site also contains a wealth of information of interest to a broader public than the trade community. For instance, the 'Know Before You Go' publication and traveler awareness campaign is designed to help educate international travelers.
The web address of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is
The current edition of Customs and Border Protection Regulations of the United States is a loose-leaf, subscription publication available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402; telephone (202) 512-1800. A bound edition of Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations is also available for sale from the same address. All proposed and final regulations are published in the Federal Register, which is published daily by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, and distributed by the Superintendent of Documents. Information about on-line access to the Federal Register may be obtained by calling (202) 512-1530 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern time. These notices are also published in the weekly Customs Bulletin described below.
The Customs Bulletin and Decisions ('Customs Bulletin') is a weekly publication that contains decisions, rulings, regulatory proposals, notices and other information of interest to the trade community. It also contains decisions issued by the U.S. Court of International Trade, as well as customs-related decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Each year, the Government Printing Office publishes bound volumes of the Customs Bulletin. Subscriptions may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents at the address and phone number listed above.
This publication provides an overview of the importing process and contains general information about import requirements. The current edition of Importing Into the United States contains much new and revised material brought about pursuant to the Customs Modernization Act (“Mod Act”). The Mod Act has fundamentally altered the relationship between importers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by shifting to the importer the legal responsibility for declaring the value, classification, and rate of duty applicable to entered merchandise.
The current edition contains a section entitled “Informed Compliance.” A key component of informed compliance is the shared responsibility between U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the import community, wherein CBP communicates its requirements to the importer, and the importer, in turn, uses reasonable care to assure that CBP is provided accurate and timely data pertaining to his or her importation.
Single copies may be obtained from local offices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or from the Office of Public Affairs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20229. An on-line version is available at the CBP web site. Importing into the United States is also available for sale, in single copies or bulk orders, from the Superintendent of Documents by calling (202) 512-1800, or by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7054.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has prepared a number of Informed Compliance publications in the “What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About...” series. Check the Internet web site http://www.cbp.gov for current publications.
Customs Valuation under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 is a 96-page book containing a detailed narrative description of the customs valuation system, the customs valuation title of the Trade Agreements Act (§402 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. §1401a)), the Statement of Administrative Action which was sent to the U.S. Congress in conjunction with the TAA, regulations (19 C.F.R. §§152.000-152.108) implementing the valuation system (a few sections of the regulations have been amended subsequent to the publication of the book) and questions and answers concerning the valuation system.
Customs Valuation Encyclopedia (with updates) is comprised of relevant statutory provisions, CBP Regulations implementing the statute, portions of the Customs Valuation Code, judicial precedent, and administrative rulings involving application of valuation law. A copy may be purchased for a nominal charge from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7054. This publication is also available on the Internet web site of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
| The information provided in this publication is for general information purposes only. Recognizing that many complicated factors may be involved in customs issues, an importer may wish to obtain a ruling under CBP Regulations, 19 C.F.R. Part 177, or obtain advice from an expert (such as a licensed Customs Broker, attorney or consultant) who specializes in customs matters. Reliance solely on the general information in this pamphlet may not be considered reasonable care. |
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Additional information may also be obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection ports of entry. Please consult your telephone directory for an office near you. The listing will be found under U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security.
The Small Business and Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and 10 regional Fairness Boards were established to receive comments from small businesses about Federal agency enforcement activities and rate each agency’s responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on the enforcement actions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
REPORT SMUGGLING 1-800-BE-ALERT OR 1-800-NO-DROGA
Visit our Internet web site: http://www.cbp.gov