Chapter 84 is the core chapter in HS classification covering machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, processing machinery, office equipment, automatic data processing equipment, lifting and handling machinery, etc. This chapter emphasizes the mechanical function and power-driven characteristics of goods, but excludes electrical equipment (Chapter 85), vehicles (Chapter 87), and optical instruments (Chapter 90). Heading 8428 belongs to the category of material handling equipment, and although it is in the same chapter as high-tech equipment such as 8486 (semiconductor manufacturing equipment), the classification logic is different. Heading 8428 covers other lifting, handling, loading and unloading machinery (such as lifts, escalators, cable cars, ski lifts, etc.), but does not include the pulley blocks and hoists of 8425, the cranes of 8426, or the forklift trucks of 8427. The core feature of this heading is the continuous or intermittent transport of persons or goods along a fixed route or within a specific space, usually driven by electric power or hydraulics. As its subheading, 842860 specifically covers overhead cableway-type transport equipment, including cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts. First 2 digits 84: Chapter 84, representing machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts, covering all non-electrical power machinery. Digits 3-4: 28: Heading 8428, representing other lifting, handling, loading and unloading machinery, including lifts, escalators, cable cars, etc., distinguished from the specific lifting equipment of 8425-8427. Digits 5-6: 60: Subheading 842860, further limited to cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts, i.e., transport equipment operating on overhead tracks or cableways by cable traction. This subheading is not further subdivided; all such equipment is classified under 842860. This commodity is classified under 842860 because its core feature is the transport of persons or goods on an overhead cableway through a cable system, meeting the definition of 'cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts.' Compared with other subheadings of 8428 (such as 842810 lifts, 842820, etc.), 842860 specifically refers to overhead cableway-type equipment; compared with 8426 cranes, its movement path is fixed and it runs along a cableway rather than freely lifting. Therefore, 842860 is the most precise classification.
Chapter
Chapter 84 is the core chapter in HS classification covering machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, processing machinery, office equipment, automatic data processing equipment, lifting and handling machinery, etc. This chapter emphasizes the mechanical function and power-driven characteristics of goods, but excludes electrical equipment (Chapter 85), vehicles (Chapter 87), and optical instruments (Chapter 90). Heading 8428 belongs to the category of material handling equipment, and although it is in the same chapter as high-tech equipment such as 8486 (semiconductor manufacturing equipment), the classification logic is different.
Heading
Heading 8428 covers other lifting, handling, loading and unloading machinery (such as lifts, escalators, cable cars, ski lifts, etc.), but does not include the pulley blocks and hoists of 8425, the cranes of 8426, or the forklift trucks of 8427. The core feature of this heading is the continuous or intermittent transport of persons or goods along a fixed route or within a specific space, usually driven by electric power or hydraulics. As its subheading, 842860 specifically covers overhead cableway-type transport equipment, including cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 84: Chapter 84, representing machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts, covering all non-electrical power machinery. Digits 3-4: 28: Heading 8428, representing other lifting, handling, loading and unloading machinery, including lifts, escalators, cable cars, etc., distinguished from the specific lifting equipment of 8425-8427. Digits 5-6: 60: Subheading 842860, further limited to cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts, i.e., transport equipment operating on overhead tracks or cableways by cable traction. This subheading is not further subdivided; all such equipment is classified under 842860.
Classification Basis
This commodity is classified under 842860 because its core feature is the transport of persons or goods on an overhead cableway through a cable system, meeting the definition of 'cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts.' Compared with other subheadings of 8428 (such as 842810 lifts, 842820, etc.), 842860 specifically refers to overhead cableway-type equipment; compared with 8426 cranes, its movement path is fixed and it runs along a cableway rather than freely lifting. Therefore, 842860 is the most precise classification.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as cable car, chairlift, ski lift, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods. Use: Explain the application scenario of the equipment, such as passenger transport in tourist attractions, ski resort transport, urban public transport, etc. Brand: Fill in the equipment manufacturer or brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand.' Model: Fill in the specific model or specifications of the equipment, such as passenger capacity, operating speed, and other parameters. Drive mode: Explain the power source, such as electric drive, hydraulic drive, etc. Structure type: Describe the cableway type, such as single-line circulating type, double-line reciprocating type, etc. Whether it includes the cableway: Declare whether it comes with a complete system such as cables and supports, or only partial components. Product name: passenger overhead cableway; Use: passenger transport in tourist attractions; Brand: XX Cableway; Model: DL-2000; Drive mode: electric drive; Structure type: single-line circulating fixed grip; Whether it includes the cableway: yes (including cables, supports, and drive device). Confusing cable cars with elevators; elevators are classified under 842810, while cable cars are classified under 842860. Failure to distinguish passenger and freight cableways; both are classified under 842860, but the declaration elements must be clear. Declaring cableway parts separately; if it is a complete cableway system, it should be classified under 842860, while parts may be classified under 8431.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as cable car, chairlift, ski lift, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring it as 'elevator' or 'crane,' leading to classification errors.
Use
Explain the application scenario of the equipment, such as passenger transport in tourist attractions, ski resort transport, urban public transport, etc.
⚠️ Filling in 'transport' in general terms without distinguishing passenger or freight transport.
Brand
Fill in the equipment manufacturer or brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand.'
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the agent as the brand.
Model
Fill in the specific model or specifications of the equipment, such as passenger capacity, operating speed, and other parameters.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the actual goods.
Drive mode
Explain the power source, such as electric drive, hydraulic drive, etc.
⚠️ Omitting the drive mode, affecting classification determination.
Structure type
Describe the cableway type, such as single-line circulating type, double-line reciprocating type, etc.
⚠️ Confusing cableway types, leading to misjudgment of the subheading.
Whether it includes the cableway
Declare whether it comes with a complete system such as cables and supports, or only partial components.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring parts as complete machines.
Example： Product name: passenger overhead cableway; Use: passenger transport in tourist attractions; Brand: XX Cableway; Model: DL-2000; Drive mode: electric drive; Structure type: single-line circulating fixed grip; Whether it includes the cableway: yes (including cables, supports, and drive device).
Common Mistakes：
Confusing cable cars with elevators; elevators are classified under 842810, while cable cars are classified under 842860.
Failure to distinguish passenger and freight cableways; both are classified under 842860, but the declaration elements must be clear.
Declaring cableway parts separately; if it is a complete cableway system, it should be classified under 842860, while parts may be classified under 8431.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the equipment's operating principle and structural characteristics: transporting persons or goods on an overhead cableway by cable traction. Three conditions must be met: 1) use cables as the traction or load-bearing medium; 2) operate along a fixed overhead route; 3) be used to transport persons or goods. If the equipment is ground rail-type or not cable-driven, it may be classified under other subheadings of 8428 or 8608, etc. 842810 Lifts and skip hoists: 842810 refers to vertically lifting elevators or lifting platforms, while 842860 refers to cable cars operating horizontally or inclined along an overhead cableway, with different movement paths and structures. 842611 Fixed bridge cranes: 842611 refers to cranes operating on fixed tracks for lifting goods, while 842860 refers to passenger cableways, with cable traction as the operating method. 842619 Other cranes: 842619 includes various cranes, but none are overhead cableway-type transport equipment; their spreaders and operating methods differ from cable cars. 860800 Railway and tramway track fixtures and fittings and signaling equipment: 860800 refers to track fixtures and fittings, while 842860 refers to complete cableway transport equipment, including power and traction systems. Is the equipment driven by cable traction? Does it operate along an overhead cableway? Is it used to transport persons or goods? Does it include a complete drive and load-bearing system? Is it confused with an elevator or crane?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the equipment's operating principle and structural characteristics: transporting persons or goods on an overhead cableway by cable traction. Three conditions must be met: 1) use cables as the traction or load-bearing medium; 2) operate along a fixed overhead route; 3) be used to transport persons or goods. If the equipment is ground rail-type or not cable-driven, it may be classified under other subheadings of 8428 or 8608, etc.
Confused Codes：
842810 - Lifts and skip hoists
842810 refers to vertically lifting elevators or lifting platforms, while 842860 refers to cable cars operating horizontally or inclined along an overhead cableway, with different movement paths and structures.
842611 - Fixed bridge cranes
842611 refers to cranes operating on fixed tracks for lifting goods, while 842860 refers to passenger cableways, with cable traction as the operating method.
842619 - Other cranes
842619 includes various cranes, but none are overhead cableway-type transport equipment; their spreaders and operating methods differ from cable cars.
860800 - Railway and tramway track fixtures and fittings and signaling equipment
860800 refers to track fixtures and fittings, while 842860 refers to complete cableway transport equipment, including power and traction systems.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the equipment driven by cable traction?
✓ Does it operate along an overhead cableway?
✓ Is it used to transport persons or goods?
✓ Does it include a complete drive and load-bearing system?
✓ Is it confused with an elevator or crane?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 842860? You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the China International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 842860 to view the MFN rate, general rate, and VAT rate. Tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, so it is recommended to rely on the latest published information. What is the main difference between 842860 and 842810? 842810 refers to lifts (elevators), which move vertically; 842860 refers to cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts, which operate along overhead cableways, usually inclined or horizontal transport. Their movement methods and structures are different. What special documents are required when declaring 842860? Generally, a contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and equipment technical parameter specifications are required. For used equipment, a pre-shipment inspection certificate may be required. Specific requirements are subject to customs. Is there any difference in classification between ski lifts and ordinary cable cars? There is no difference; both are classified under 842860. However, the use and structure type must be clearly stated during declaration for customs review. Ski lifts are usually chairlifts or drag lifts and must be indicated in the declaration elements. If I import cableway parts, which code should they be classified under? If cableway parts are imported separately, they are generally classified under 8431 (parts of lifting and handling machinery), but if they are a complete cableway system, they are classified under 842860. Judgment should be based on whether the parts are specially designed for cableways. What regulatory conditions are required for exporting equipment under 842860? There are generally no special regulatory conditions for export, but the technical standards of the destination country must be met. If dual-use items or sensitive technologies are involved, an export license may be required. It is recommended to consult the local customs. How can I determine whether a cable car belongs to 842860? The key is whether it is driven by cable traction and operates on an overhead cableway. If it is ground rail-type or self-propelled, it is not classified under 842860. Reference may be made to customs classification decisions or advance rulings. How should 'structure type' be filled in among the declaration elements for 842860? The specific cableway type should be filled in, such as single-line circulating type, double-line reciprocating type, fixed grip, etc. Reference may be made to the equipment technical manual to ensure consistency with the actual goods.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 842860?
A: You can check through the General Administration of Customs website or the China International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 842860 to view the MFN rate, general rate, and VAT rate. Tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, so it is recommended to rely on the latest published information.
Q: What is the main difference between 842860 and 842810?
A: 842810 refers to lifts (elevators), which move vertically; 842860 refers to cable cars, chairlifts, and ski lifts, which operate along overhead cableways, usually inclined or horizontal transport. Their movement methods and structures are different.
Q: What special documents are required when declaring 842860?
A: Generally, a contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and equipment technical parameter specifications are required. For used equipment, a pre-shipment inspection certificate may be required. Specific requirements are subject to customs.
Q: Is there any difference in classification between ski lifts and ordinary cable cars?
A: There is no difference; both are classified under 842860. However, the use and structure type must be clearly stated during declaration for customs review. Ski lifts are usually chairlifts or drag lifts and must be indicated in the declaration elements.
Q: If I import cableway parts, which code should they be classified under?
A: If cableway parts are imported separately, they are generally classified under 8431 (parts of lifting and handling machinery), but if they are a complete cableway system, they are classified under 842860. Judgment should be based on whether the parts are specially designed for cableways.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for exporting equipment under 842860?
A: There are generally no special regulatory conditions for export, but the technical standards of the destination country must be met. If dual-use items or sensitive technologies are involved, an export license may be required. It is recommended to consult the local customs.
Q: How can I determine whether a cable car belongs to 842860?
A: The key is whether it is driven by cable traction and operates on an overhead cableway. If it is ground rail-type or self-propelled, it is not classified under 842860. Reference may be made to customs classification decisions or advance rulings.
Q: How should 'structure type' be filled in among the declaration elements for 842860?
A: The specific cableway type should be filled in, such as single-line circulating type, double-line reciprocating type, fixed grip, etc. Reference may be made to the equipment technical manual to ensure consistency with the actual goods.
⚠️ 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.