Chapter 40 covers vulcanized rubber and articles thereof, including raw materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and reclaimed rubber, as well as semi-finished products such as plates, sheets, strips, tubes, and profiles, and various finished products. This chapter does not include unvulcanized rubber, hard rubber (heading 40.17), or composite articles of rubber and textile materials (Chapter 59). Ship or dock fenders of vulcanized rubber fall within the scope of finished products of this chapter. Heading 4016 covers other articles of vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber), including rubber articles of various shapes, such as washers, seals, fenders, inflatable articles, etc. This heading is a residual heading applicable to articles of vulcanized rubber not named in other headings. Ship or dock fenders, as finished products of vulcanized rubber, are classified under this heading if not more specifically named in other headings. First 2 digits 40: indicates Chapter 40, i.e., rubber and articles thereof. Digits 3-4, 16: indicates heading 4016, i.e., other articles of vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber). Digits 5-6, 94: indicates subheading 4016.94, i.e., ship or dock fenders of vulcanized rubber. This subheading was newly added in the 2022 version of the HS code, specifically for ship or dock fenders, which may previously have been classified under other subheadings. This commodity is a ship or dock fender of vulcanized rubber, belonging to vulcanized rubber articles, and is not more specifically named in other headings (such as 4016.93 for seals, etc.), so it is classified under 4016.94. It is not classified under 4016.93 because fenders are not seals; not under 4016.99 because fenders already have a specific subheading; and not under Chapter 59 because they do not contain textile materials.
Chapter
Chapter 40 covers vulcanized rubber and articles thereof, including raw materials such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and reclaimed rubber, as well as semi-finished products such as plates, sheets, strips, tubes, and profiles, and various finished products. This chapter does not include unvulcanized rubber, hard rubber (heading 40.17), or composite articles of rubber and textile materials (Chapter 59). Ship or dock fenders of vulcanized rubber fall within the scope of finished products of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 4016 covers other articles of vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber), including rubber articles of various shapes, such as washers, seals, fenders, inflatable articles, etc. This heading is a residual heading applicable to articles of vulcanized rubber not named in other headings. Ship or dock fenders, as finished products of vulcanized rubber, are classified under this heading if not more specifically named in other headings.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 40: indicates Chapter 40, i.e., rubber and articles thereof. Digits 3-4, 16: indicates heading 4016, i.e., other articles of vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber). Digits 5-6, 94: indicates subheading 4016.94, i.e., ship or dock fenders of vulcanized rubber. This subheading was newly added in the 2022 version of the HS code, specifically for ship or dock fenders, which may previously have been classified under other subheadings.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a ship or dock fender of vulcanized rubber, belonging to vulcanized rubber articles, and is not more specifically named in other headings (such as 4016.93 for seals, etc.), so it is classified under 4016.94. It is not classified under 4016.93 because fenders are not seals; not under 4016.99 because fenders already have a specific subheading; and not under Chapter 59 because they do not contain textile materials.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity should be accurately described as "ship or dock fenders of vulcanized rubber". Material: State the type of rubber, such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, etc., and indicate whether it is vulcanized. Use: Clearly state use for ship or dock, such as "ship berthing buffer" or "dock anti-collision". Brand: Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, fill in "none". Model: Fill in the product model or specifications, such as size, shape, etc. Whether Inflatable: Indicate whether the fender is inflatable; inflatable type must be noted. Appearance: Describe the shape, such as cylindrical, rectangular, D-shaped, etc. Product Name: Ship fender of vulcanized rubber; Material: chloroprene rubber, vulcanized; Use: for buffering and anti-collision during ship berthing; Brand: XX; Model: D-type 2000mm×1000mm; Whether Inflatable: No; Appearance: D-shaped cylinder. Failure to indicate "vulcanized" leading to misclassification as unvulcanized rubber articles. Use only written as "anti-collision" without specifying ship or dock, may be classified under other subheadings. Inflatable fenders not indicating inflatable, may be misclassified as other inflatable articles.
Product Name
The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity should be accurately described as "ship or dock fenders of vulcanized rubber".
⚠️ Incorrectly declared as "rubber fender" or "dock anti-collision pad", without specifying "vulcanized" and the use for "ship or dock".
Material
State the type of rubber, such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, etc., and indicate whether it is vulcanized.
⚠️ Only writing "rubber", without specifying the specific type and vulcanization status.
Use
Clearly state use for ship or dock, such as "ship berthing buffer" or "dock anti-collision".
⚠️ Vague description of use, such as "for anti-collision", without distinguishing ship or dock.
Brand
Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, fill in "none".
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or not filling in.
Model
Fill in the product model or specifications, such as size, shape, etc.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry, only writing "standard type".
Whether Inflatable
Indicate whether the fender is inflatable; inflatable type must be noted.
⚠️ Not indicating whether inflatable, leading to classification differences.
Appearance
Describe the shape, such as cylindrical, rectangular, D-shaped, etc.
⚠️ Appearance description too simple, such as "black block".
Example： Product Name: Ship fender of vulcanized rubber; Material: chloroprene rubber, vulcanized; Use: for buffering and anti-collision during ship berthing; Brand: XX; Model: D-type 2000mm×1000mm; Whether Inflatable: No; Appearance: D-shaped cylinder.
Common Mistakes：
Failure to indicate "vulcanized" leading to misclassification as unvulcanized rubber articles.
Use only written as "anti-collision" without specifying ship or dock, may be classified under other subheadings.
Inflatable fenders not indicating inflatable, may be misclassified as other inflatable articles.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1. Material is vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber); 2. Use is specifically for ship or dock fenders; 3. Not more specifically named in other headings. According to the Import and Export Tariff, 4016.94 is a subheading newly added in 2022, specifically covering such commodities. If the fender contains textile materials or metal fittings, judgment should be based on the essential character, but it is usually still classified under 4016.94. 4016.93 Seals of vulcanized rubber: Seals are used to prevent leakage, while fenders are used for buffering and anti-collision; functions are different. 4016.99 Other articles of vulcanized rubber: 4016.99 is a residual subheading; fenders already have a specific subheading 4016.94, so they are not classified under 4016.99. 4017.00 Articles of hard rubber: Hard rubber (such as ebonite) is different from vulcanized rubber; articles of hard rubber are classified under 4017. 3926.90 Other articles of plastics: Different material; plastic fenders are classified under 3926.90, rubber fenders under 4016.94. 6306.40 Inflatable mattresses: If the fender is inflatable and contains textile materials, it may be classified under 6306.40, but pure rubber inflatable fenders are still classified under 4016.94. Is the material vulcanized rubber? Is the use specifically for ship or dock? Is it inflatable? Does the inflatable type contain textile materials? Does it contain metal fittings? Is the essential character rubber? Is it more specifically named in other headings?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1. Material is vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber); 2. Use is specifically for ship or dock fenders; 3. Not more specifically named in other headings. According to the Import and Export Tariff, 4016.94 is a subheading newly added in 2022, specifically covering such commodities. If the fender contains textile materials or metal fittings, judgment should be based on the essential character, but it is usually still classified under 4016.94.
Confused Codes：
4016.93 - Seals of vulcanized rubber
Seals are used to prevent leakage, while fenders are used for buffering and anti-collision; functions are different.
4016.99 - Other articles of vulcanized rubber
4016.99 is a residual subheading; fenders already have a specific subheading 4016.94, so they are not classified under 4016.99.
4017.00 - Articles of hard rubber
Hard rubber (such as ebonite) is different from vulcanized rubber; articles of hard rubber are classified under 4017.
3926.90 - Other articles of plastics
Different material; plastic fenders are classified under 3926.90, rubber fenders under 4016.94.
6306.40 - Inflatable mattresses
If the fender is inflatable and contains textile materials, it may be classified under 6306.40, but pure rubber inflatable fenders are still classified under 4016.94.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material vulcanized rubber?
✓ Is the use specifically for ship or dock?
✓ Is it inflatable? Does the inflatable type contain textile materials?
✓ Does it contain metal fittings? Is the essential character rubber?
✓ Is it more specifically named in other headings?
❓ FAQ
How to inquire about the import tariff rate for 4016.94? It can be inquired through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff. Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and origin of goods; it is recommended to refer to the latest tariff. What is the difference in classification and declaration between ship fenders and dock fenders? Both are classified under 4016.94, but the use must be clearly distinguished as "for ship" or "for dock" during declaration. If inflatable and containing textile materials, classification may be affected. Does the classification of vulcanized rubber fenders containing metal fittings be affected? If the metal fittings are only for reinforcement or installation and do not affect the main function of the fender, it is still classified under 4016.94. If the metal constitutes the essential character, it may be classified as metal articles. What is the main difference between 4016.94 and 4016.93? 4016.93 is seals, used to prevent fluid leakage; 4016.94 is fenders, used for buffering and anti-collision. Different functions, different classifications. How should inflatable rubber fenders be declared? When declaring, it is necessary to indicate "inflatable", and provide material, use, brand, model, etc. If it contains textile materials, it is necessary to determine whether it is classified under 6306.40 based on the essential character. Does the size of the fender affect the HS code? Size does not affect the HS code, but it should be indicated in the model. Classification is based on material and use, not size. For exporting fenders to the EU, is the HS code the same? The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are the same as China's, both 401694. However, the subsequent digits may differ; it is necessary to inquire the EU TARIC database. How to determine whether a fender has been vulcanized? Vulcanized rubber is usually heated and cross-linked, possessing elasticity and durability. The production process or test reports can be checked; unvulcanized rubber is usually softer and easily deformed.
Q: How to inquire about the import tariff rate for 4016.94?
A: It can be inquired through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or the Import and Export Tariff. Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and origin of goods; it is recommended to refer to the latest tariff.
Q: What is the difference in classification and declaration between ship fenders and dock fenders?
A: Both are classified under 4016.94, but the use must be clearly distinguished as "for ship" or "for dock" during declaration. If inflatable and containing textile materials, classification may be affected.
Q: Does the classification of vulcanized rubber fenders containing metal fittings be affected?
A: If the metal fittings are only for reinforcement or installation and do not affect the main function of the fender, it is still classified under 4016.94. If the metal constitutes the essential character, it may be classified as metal articles.
Q: What is the main difference between 4016.94 and 4016.93?
A: 4016.93 is seals, used to prevent fluid leakage; 4016.94 is fenders, used for buffering and anti-collision. Different functions, different classifications.
Q: How should inflatable rubber fenders be declared?
A: When declaring, it is necessary to indicate "inflatable", and provide material, use, brand, model, etc. If it contains textile materials, it is necessary to determine whether it is classified under 6306.40 based on the essential character.
Q: Does the size of the fender affect the HS code?
A: Size does not affect the HS code, but it should be indicated in the model. Classification is based on material and use, not size.
Q: For exporting fenders to the EU, is the HS code the same?
A: The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are the same as China's, both 401694. However, the subsequent digits may differ; it is necessary to inquire the EU TARIC database.
Q: How to determine whether a fender has been vulcanized?
A: Vulcanized rubber is usually heated and cross-linked, possessing elasticity and durability. The production process or test reports can be checked; unvulcanized rubber is usually softer and easily deformed.
⚠️ 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.