Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, reclaimed rubber, and various rubber products. This chapter ranges from rubber raw materials in primary forms to final rubber products such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, etc. However, certain rubber products specially designed for other chapters (such as machine parts) may be classified in other chapters. This chapter is the core classification chapter for the rubber industry. Heading 4010 covers conveyor belts or transmission belts of vulcanized rubber, including belt stock, belt strips, and belts cut to length and joined at the ends (e.g., with metal fasteners). These belts are mainly used for continuous conveyance of materials or transmission of power, and are widely used in mining, metallurgy, ports, electric power, building materials, and other industries. This heading includes conveyor belts reinforced with textile materials, but conveyor belts made of pure textile materials are classified in Chapter 59. The first 2 digits 40: indicates Chapter 40, i.e., rubber and articles thereof. The 3rd-4th digits 10: indicates heading 4010, i.e., conveyor belts or transmission belts of vulcanized rubber. The 5th-6th digits 11: indicates subheading 401011, i.e., conveyor belts of vulcanized rubber reinforced only with metal. Therefore, 401011 specifically refers to vulcanized rubber conveyor belts reinforced only with metal (such as steel wire ropes, steel strips), commonly used for high-strength, long-distance material conveyance. The goods are conveyor belts of vulcanized rubber, reinforced only with metal, and are therefore classified under 401011. If reinforced with textile materials, they would be classified under 401012; if reinforced with other materials or not reinforced, they would be classified under 401019. The difference from adjacent codes lies in the type of reinforcing material, and metal reinforcement is the core characteristic of 401011.
Chapter
Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, reclaimed rubber, and various rubber products. This chapter ranges from rubber raw materials in primary forms to final rubber products such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, etc. However, certain rubber products specially designed for other chapters (such as machine parts) may be classified in other chapters. This chapter is the core classification chapter for the rubber industry.
Heading
Heading 4010 covers conveyor belts or transmission belts of vulcanized rubber, including belt stock, belt strips, and belts cut to length and joined at the ends (e.g., with metal fasteners). These belts are mainly used for continuous conveyance of materials or transmission of power, and are widely used in mining, metallurgy, ports, electric power, building materials, and other industries. This heading includes conveyor belts reinforced with textile materials, but conveyor belts made of pure textile materials are classified in Chapter 59.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 40: indicates Chapter 40, i.e., rubber and articles thereof. The 3rd-4th digits 10: indicates heading 4010, i.e., conveyor belts or transmission belts of vulcanized rubber. The 5th-6th digits 11: indicates subheading 401011, i.e., conveyor belts of vulcanized rubber reinforced only with metal. Therefore, 401011 specifically refers to vulcanized rubber conveyor belts reinforced only with metal (such as steel wire ropes, steel strips), commonly used for high-strength, long-distance material conveyance.
Classification Basis
The goods are conveyor belts of vulcanized rubber, reinforced only with metal, and are therefore classified under 401011. If reinforced with textile materials, they would be classified under 401012; if reinforced with other materials or not reinforced, they would be classified under 401019. The difference from adjacent codes lies in the type of reinforcing material, and metal reinforcement is the core characteristic of 401011.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as 'steel wire rope core conveyor belt'. Material: State the type of rubber (such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber) and vulcanization status, and whether it is reinforced only with metal. Reinforcing Material: Clearly specify that the reinforcing material is metal (such as steel wire rope, steel strip), and state its specifications or number of layers. Specifications and Dimensions: Declare belt width, thickness, length, and other dimensions, as well as whether the ends are joined. Use: State the main use, such as mining conveyance, port loading and unloading, etc. Brand: Declare the brand name; if no brand, state 'no brand'. Model: Declare the product model for easy identification of specific specifications. Product Name: Steel wire rope core vulcanized rubber conveyor belt; Material: Vulcanized rubber, reinforced only with steel wire rope; Specifications: Width 1200mm, thickness 20mm, length 100m; Use: Mining material conveyance; Brand: XX; Model: ST-1200. Mistakenly classifying textile material reinforced conveyor belts under 401011, when they should actually be classified under 401012. Failing to state 'reinforced only with metal', leading to classification disputes. Ignoring the 'vulcanized' status; unvulcanized rubber is classified under other headings of Chapter 40.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as 'steel wire rope core conveyor belt'.
⚠️ Only writing 'conveyor belt' without specifying the material and reinforcing material.
Material
State the type of rubber (such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber) and vulcanization status, and whether it is reinforced only with metal.
⚠️ Failing to state 'vulcanized' or 'reinforced only with metal'.
Reinforcing Material
Clearly specify that the reinforcing material is metal (such as steel wire rope, steel strip), and state its specifications or number of layers.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring metal reinforcement as textile material reinforcement.
Specifications and Dimensions
Declare belt width, thickness, length, and other dimensions, as well as whether the ends are joined.
⚠️ Omitting width or thickness, causing classification difficulties.
Use
State the main use, such as mining conveyance, port loading and unloading, etc.
⚠️ Use description is too general, such as 'industrial use'.
Brand
Declare the brand name; if no brand, state 'no brand'.
⚠️ Brand does not match the actual product or is omitted.
Model
Declare the product model for easy identification of specific specifications.
Mistakenly classifying textile material reinforced conveyor belts under 401011, when they should actually be classified under 401012.
Failing to state 'reinforced only with metal', leading to classification disputes.
Ignoring the 'vulcanized' status; unvulcanized rubber is classified under other headings of Chapter 40.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: 1. The product is made of vulcanized rubber; 2. It is used as a conveyor belt or transmission belt; 3. It is reinforced only with metal. If the above conditions are met, it is classified under 401011. If the reinforcing material is textile material, it is classified under 401012; if it is other materials or not reinforced, it is classified under 401019. If it is a conveyor belt made of pure textile materials, it is classified under Chapter 59. 401012 Vulcanized rubber conveyor belts reinforced with textile materials: The reinforcing material is textile material, not metal. The core difference lies in the type of reinforcing material; metal reinforcement is classified under 401011, textile reinforcement under 401012. 401019 Other vulcanized rubber conveyor belts: The reinforcing material is other materials (such as plastics) or not reinforced. If reinforced only with metal, it is classified under 401011; otherwise, under 401019. 591000 Conveyor belts of textile materials: Made entirely of textile materials, containing no rubber or with rubber only as a coating. If rubber is the essential character, it is classified under 4010; otherwise, under 5910. 400821 Vulcanized rubber plates, sheets, strips: Not conveyor belts or transmission belts, but only in the form of plates, sheets, or strips, not cut or joined for specific uses. Is it made of vulcanized rubber? Is it reinforced only with metal? Is it used for conveyance or transmission? Is textile material reinforcement excluded? Is pure textile material excluded?
Basis
Core classification basis: 1. The product is made of vulcanized rubber; 2. It is used as a conveyor belt or transmission belt; 3. It is reinforced only with metal. If the above conditions are met, it is classified under 401011. If the reinforcing material is textile material, it is classified under 401012; if it is other materials or not reinforced, it is classified under 401019. If it is a conveyor belt made of pure textile materials, it is classified under Chapter 59.
Confused Codes：
401012 - Vulcanized rubber conveyor belts reinforced with textile materials
The reinforcing material is textile material, not metal. The core difference lies in the type of reinforcing material; metal reinforcement is classified under 401011, textile reinforcement under 401012.
401019 - Other vulcanized rubber conveyor belts
The reinforcing material is other materials (such as plastics) or not reinforced. If reinforced only with metal, it is classified under 401011; otherwise, under 401019.
591000 - Conveyor belts of textile materials
Made entirely of textile materials, containing no rubber or with rubber only as a coating. If rubber is the essential character, it is classified under 4010; otherwise, under 5910.
400821 - Vulcanized rubber plates, sheets, strips
Not conveyor belts or transmission belts, but only in the form of plates, sheets, or strips, not cut or joined for specific uses.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it made of vulcanized rubber?
✓ Is it reinforced only with metal?
✓ Is it used for conveyance or transmission?
✓ Is textile material reinforcement excluded?
✓ Is pure textile material excluded?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether a conveyor belt is classified under 401011? First confirm the material is vulcanized rubber, then confirm the reinforcing material is only metal (such as steel wire rope), and finally confirm the use is as a conveyor belt. If all three conditions are met, it is classified under 401011. If the reinforcing material includes textile materials, it is classified under 401012. What is the main difference between 401011 and 401012? The core difference lies in the reinforcing material: 401011 is reinforced only with metal, while 401012 is reinforced with textile materials. Classification should be determined based on the actual reinforcing material, not just appearance. If a conveyor belt is reinforced with both metal and textile materials, how should it be classified? If both metal and textile materials are used for reinforcement, it is usually classified according to the main reinforcing material. If the primary and secondary materials cannot be distinguished, it is recommended to classify under 401019 (other) or consult the customs classification department. Does joining the ends of a conveyor belt affect classification? No. Regardless of whether the ends are joined, as long as it meets the criteria of being made of vulcanized rubber, reinforced only with metal, and used for conveyance, it is classified under 401011. The method of end joining (such as metal fasteners) does not change the classification. Is it necessary to provide proof of the reinforcing material when declaring? Yes, it is recommended to provide a product specification or test report clearly stating that the reinforcing material is metal, to avoid classification disputes. Customs may require material certification. How to check the tax rate for 401011? The tax rate should be checked according to the latest customs tariff, which can be found on the General Administration of Customs website or by consulting a customs broker. Tax rates may change, and it is recommended to use the actual rate at the time of declaration. If a conveyor belt is used in the food industry, is it classified under 401011? Classification is unrelated to the industry of use. As long as it meets the criteria of being made of vulcanized rubber, reinforced only with metal, and used for conveyance, it is classified under 401011. However, food-grade conveyor belts may need to comply with additional safety standards. Are imported used conveyor belts classified under 401011? If used conveyor belts are still made of vulcanized rubber and reinforced only with metal, they are still classified under 401011. However, used mechanical and electrical products may involve other regulatory conditions, which need to be confirmed in advance.
Q: How to determine whether a conveyor belt is classified under 401011?
A: First confirm the material is vulcanized rubber, then confirm the reinforcing material is only metal (such as steel wire rope), and finally confirm the use is as a conveyor belt. If all three conditions are met, it is classified under 401011. If the reinforcing material includes textile materials, it is classified under 401012.
Q: What is the main difference between 401011 and 401012?
A: The core difference lies in the reinforcing material: 401011 is reinforced only with metal, while 401012 is reinforced with textile materials. Classification should be determined based on the actual reinforcing material, not just appearance.
Q: If a conveyor belt is reinforced with both metal and textile materials, how should it be classified?
A: If both metal and textile materials are used for reinforcement, it is usually classified according to the main reinforcing material. If the primary and secondary materials cannot be distinguished, it is recommended to classify under 401019 (other) or consult the customs classification department.
Q: Does joining the ends of a conveyor belt affect classification?
A: No. Regardless of whether the ends are joined, as long as it meets the criteria of being made of vulcanized rubber, reinforced only with metal, and used for conveyance, it is classified under 401011. The method of end joining (such as metal fasteners) does not change the classification.
Q: Is it necessary to provide proof of the reinforcing material when declaring?
A: Yes, it is recommended to provide a product specification or test report clearly stating that the reinforcing material is metal, to avoid classification disputes. Customs may require material certification.
Q: How to check the tax rate for 401011?
A: The tax rate should be checked according to the latest customs tariff, which can be found on the General Administration of Customs website or by consulting a customs broker. Tax rates may change, and it is recommended to use the actual rate at the time of declaration.
Q: If a conveyor belt is used in the food industry, is it classified under 401011?
A: Classification is unrelated to the industry of use. As long as it meets the criteria of being made of vulcanized rubber, reinforced only with metal, and used for conveyance, it is classified under 401011. However, food-grade conveyor belts may need to comply with additional safety standards.
Q: Are imported used conveyor belts classified under 401011?
A: If used conveyor belts are still made of vulcanized rubber and reinforced only with metal, they are still classified under 401011. However, used mechanical and electrical products may involve other regulatory conditions, which need to be confirmed in advance.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.