Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including raw materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and reclaimed rubber, as well as various semi-finished and finished products. This chapter ranges from rubber in primary forms (such as latex and raw rubber) to semi-finished products such as plates, sheets, strips, tubes, and profiles, and then to final products such as tires, rubber hoses, rubber belts, and footwear. However, it should be noted that certain rubber articles may be classified in other chapters, such as articles of rubber combined with textile materials, which may be classified in Chapter 59 or Chapter 61. The core of Chapter 40 is that rubber is the essential material and does not form an obvious composite character with other materials. Heading 4009 covers tubes, pipes, and hoses of vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber), whether or not fitted with accessories (such as fittings, elbows, flanges, etc.). However, this heading does not include: 1) tubes of hard rubber (classified in 3917); 2) tubes reinforced with or otherwise only reinforced by textile materials (if the textile material constitutes the essential character, they may be classified in 5909 or 5911); 3) parts specially designed for particular machines (which may be classified in Chapter 84 or 85). This heading is further subdivided according to whether reinforced, the type of reinforcing material, and whether fitted with accessories. Code 400941 is a six-digit subheading. The first 2 digits '40' represent Chapter 40 (rubber and articles thereof). Digits 3-4 '09' represent heading 4009 (tubes, pipes, and hoses of vulcanized rubber). Digits 5-6 '41' represent subheading 4009.41, specifically referring to hoses of vulcanized rubber 'reinforced with textile materials.' Among these, the 5th digit '4' indicates the first-level classification under the subheading (type of reinforcement), and the 6th digit '1' indicates textile reinforcement. The complete code 4009.41 covers only textile-reinforced vulcanized rubber tubes and does not include other types of reinforcement (such as steel wire reinforcement) or unreinforced tubes. This product is a rubber hose of vulcanized rubber and is reinforced with textile materials, so it is classified in 4009.41. If unreinforced, it should be classified in 4009.31; if reinforced with steel wire, it should be classified in 4009.32; if reinforced with other materials, it is classified in 4009.39. If the hose is reinforced with textile materials but the textile material constitutes the essential character, it may be classified in 5909 or 5911. If made of hard rubber, it is classified in 3917. Therefore, correctly determining the type of reinforcing material is key.

Product name: The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as 'textile-reinforced vulcanized rubber hose.' Material: State the type of rubber (such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, etc.) and whether it is vulcanized, and indicate that the reinforcing material is textile. Reinforcing material: Clearly specify the type of reinforcing material, such as 'textile fiber,' 'cotton thread,' 'nylon fabric,' etc., which must match code 4009.41. Use: Explain the specific use of the hose, such as 'water conveyance,' 'gas conveyance,' 'hydraulic system,' etc. Appearance: Describe the shape of the hose (such as round tube), color, and whether it has fittings or other accessories. Dimensions: Provide dimensional information such as inner diameter, outer diameter, wall thickness, and length, which helps confirm the product characteristics. Brand: Declare the brand name (if no brand, fill in 'none'), used for customs protection of intellectual property rights. Model: Declare the product model to facilitate identification of specific specifications. Product name: Textile-reinforced vulcanized rubber hose; Material: vulcanized styrene-butadiene rubber, textile reinforced; Reinforcing material: nylon fiber; Use: used for conveying coolant in automobile engine cooling systems; Appearance: black round tube, without fittings; Dimensions: inner diameter 10 mm, outer diameter 18 mm, length 1 m; Brand: XYZ; Model: ABC-123. Failure to clearly identify the reinforcing material as textile, incorrectly reporting steel wire reinforcement, resulting in an incorrect code. Ignoring the key attribute of 'vulcanized,' incorrectly classifying as an unvulcanized rubber product. Incorrectly classifying a hose reinforced with textile materials but in which the textile material constitutes the essential character into 4009.41.

The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. First, confirm that the product is made of vulcanized rubber (not hard rubber) and is in the form of a tube. Second, determine whether it has reinforcing material and the type of reinforcing material. If textile reinforced, it is classified in 4009.41. If the reinforcing material is steel wire, it is classified in 4009.32; if it is other materials, it is classified in 4009.39; if unreinforced, it is classified in 4009.31. At the same time, note that if the hose has accessories (such as fittings), it is still classified in 4009, but this must be indicated in the declaration elements. If textile material is combined with rubber and the textile material constitutes the essential character, it may be classified in Chapter 59. 400931 Unreinforced vulcanized rubber hose: 400931 is unreinforced vulcanized rubber tube, while 400941 is textile reinforced. The core difference is whether it contains a textile reinforcing layer. 400932 Steel wire reinforced vulcanized rubber hose: The reinforcing material of 400932 is steel wire, while that of 400941 is textile. The type of reinforcing material is different, and the use and performance differ. 590900 Textile material hose: 590900 is a hose made of textile materials. If the textile material in the hose constitutes the essential character, it is classified under this code. In 400941, rubber is the essential character. 391739 Other tubes of plastics: 391739 is a tube of plastics, while 400941 is made of vulcanized rubber. The materials are different, and plastics and rubber must be distinguished. 400942 Vulcanized rubber hose reinforced with other materials: 400942 is a hose reinforced with other materials (not textile, not steel wire), such as glass fiber, etc. 400941 specifically refers to textile reinforcement. Has it been confirmed that the product is made of vulcanized rubber? Is the reinforcing material textile? Does it have accessories? If so, does this affect classification? Which constitutes the essential character, rubber or textile material? Is it hard rubber?

How can it be determined whether a hose is 'textile reinforced'? This can be determined by observing the cross-section of the hose. If a fibrous textile layer (such as canvas, nylon fabric, etc.) is visible and the textile is used to reinforce the hose body, it is textile reinforced. If necessary, refer to the product specification sheet or test report. If the reinforcing material is steel wire or other materials, it does not fall under this code. What is the main difference between code 400941 and 400932? 400941 is textile reinforced, and 400932 is steel wire reinforced. The difference lies in the type of reinforcing material. Textile reinforcement is usually used for low-pressure or medium-pressure applications, while steel wire reinforcement is used for high pressure. When declaring, accurate information on the reinforcing material must be provided. If the hose has metal fittings, does this affect classification? No. According to the notes to heading 4009, vulcanized rubber tubes with accessories are still classified in 4009. However, 'with fittings' must be indicated in the declaration elements so that customs can confirm. If the fittings change the essential character of the product, classification may be affected. How can the import tariff rate for 400941 be checked? You can log on to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the Customs Import and Export Tariff. The tariff rate will change according to the country of origin, trade agreements, etc., and the latest tariff should prevail. You may also consult a professional customs broker. If the hose is used in an automobile fuel system, is it classified in 400941? If the hose is made of vulcanized rubber and is textile reinforced, it is classified in 400941. However, if it is specially designed for an automobile fuel system and has specific fittings, it may be classified as a part of Chapter 87. Judgment should be based on the essential character. How should the 'Use' element be described when declaring? The use should be specific, such as 'used for conveying water,' 'used in hydraulic systems,' 'used in automobile cooling systems,' etc. Avoid writing generally 'industrial use.' Specific use helps customs classification. If the hose is unvulcanized, under which code should it be classified? Unvulcanized rubber tubes should be classified in 4006 (other forms of unvulcanized rubber), not 4009. 4009 applies only to tubes of vulcanized rubber. How can 400941 and 590900 be distinguished? If rubber is the essential character of the hose and the textile only serves to reinforce, it is classified in 400941. If the textile material constitutes the essential character, such as a textile hose, it is classified in 590900. This is usually determined based on the proportion of materials in the cross-section and the function.