Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification system covering mechanical appliances and parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, office machinery, automatic data processing equipment, bearings, transmission devices, etc. Goods in this chapter usually have mechanical motion characteristics or serve as dedicated parts of machinery. Typewriters, as early office machinery, have their parts classified in this chapter, reflecting the principle of classification by function. Heading 8473 specifically covers parts and accessories for typewriters, word processing machines, calculators, automatic data processing equipment, and similar machines. Parts under this heading must be dedicated to or primarily used with the above machines, rather than being general-purpose parts. Typewriter parts, as traditional office machinery parts, are further subdivided under this heading. Code 847310 is a six-digit subheading. The first 2 digits 84 represent Chapter 84, machinery; digits 3-4, 73, represent heading 8473, i.e., parts and accessories for typewriters, word processing machines, calculators, automatic data processing equipment, and similar machines; digits 5-6, 10, represent subheading 8473.10, specifically typewriter parts. This subheading further distinguishes typewriter parts from parts of other office machines, reflecting the classification logic of dividing by host machine type. Typewriter parts are classified under 847310 rather than 8485 (other machinery parts) or 8443 (printing machinery parts), because 8473 explicitly covers dedicated parts for typewriters and similar office machines. If a part is a general-purpose item (such as bolts or springs), it should be classified according to its material; if it is a printing machinery part, it is classified under 8443. Therefore, dedicated use is the key.
Chapter
Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification system covering mechanical appliances and parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, office machinery, automatic data processing equipment, bearings, transmission devices, etc. Goods in this chapter usually have mechanical motion characteristics or serve as dedicated parts of machinery. Typewriters, as early office machinery, have their parts classified in this chapter, reflecting the principle of classification by function.
Heading
Heading 8473 specifically covers parts and accessories for typewriters, word processing machines, calculators, automatic data processing equipment, and similar machines. Parts under this heading must be dedicated to or primarily used with the above machines, rather than being general-purpose parts. Typewriter parts, as traditional office machinery parts, are further subdivided under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
Code 847310 is a six-digit subheading. The first 2 digits 84 represent Chapter 84, machinery; digits 3-4, 73, represent heading 8473, i.e., parts and accessories for typewriters, word processing machines, calculators, automatic data processing equipment, and similar machines; digits 5-6, 10, represent subheading 8473.10, specifically typewriter parts. This subheading further distinguishes typewriter parts from parts of other office machines, reflecting the classification logic of dividing by host machine type.
Classification Basis
Typewriter parts are classified under 847310 rather than 8485 (other machinery parts) or 8443 (printing machinery parts), because 8473 explicitly covers dedicated parts for typewriters and similar office machines. If a part is a general-purpose item (such as bolts or springs), it should be classified according to its material; if it is a printing machinery part, it is classified under 8443. Therefore, dedicated use is the key.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the part's use and material, such as 'type hammer for typewriter,' 'ribbon guide for typewriter,' etc. Use: State what type of typewriter the part is dedicated to, such as 'for electric typewriter,' 'for manual typewriter,' etc. Material: The constituent material of the declared part, such as 'of steel,' 'of plastics,' 'of copper,' etc., which affects classification. Brand: Fill in the brand or manufacturer of the part; if there is no brand, write 'no brand.' Model: The model or part number of the part, used to identify specific specifications. Whether Dedicated Part: Declare whether the part is dedicated to typewriters or is a general-purpose part. Applicable Host Machine Model: Fill in the typewriter model to which the part applies, to facilitate customs confirmation of dedicated use. Product Name: type hammer for typewriter; Use: for electric typewriter; Material: of steel; Brand: ABC; Model: TH-202; Whether Dedicated Part: yes; Applicable Host Machine Model: ABC-300. Declaring general-purpose parts (such as screws) as typewriter parts, resulting in classification errors. False material declaration, such as reporting plastic parts as metal parts, affecting classification. Use description is too broad and does not reflect dedicated use for typewriters, possibly leading to classification under other headings.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the part's use and material, such as 'type hammer for typewriter,' 'ribbon guide for typewriter,' etc.
⚠️ Writing only 'typewriter parts,' which is too general and fails to specify the exact part name.
Use
State what type of typewriter the part is dedicated to, such as 'for electric typewriter,' 'for manual typewriter,' etc.
⚠️ Writing 'for office use' without specifying the typewriter type.
Material
The constituent material of the declared part, such as 'of steel,' 'of plastics,' 'of copper,' etc., which affects classification.
⚠️ Vague material description, such as 'metal,' without distinguishing steel, copper, aluminum, etc.
Brand
Fill in the brand or manufacturer of the part; if there is no brand, write 'no brand.'
⚠️ Confusing the brand with the host machine brand, or omitting it.
Model
The model or part number of the part, used to identify specific specifications.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or confusion with the host machine model.
Whether Dedicated Part
Declare whether the part is dedicated to typewriters or is a general-purpose part.
⚠️ Misreporting a general-purpose part as a dedicated part.
Applicable Host Machine Model
Fill in the typewriter model to which the part applies, to facilitate customs confirmation of dedicated use.
⚠️ Failure to fill in or incorrect entry of the host machine model.
Example： Product Name: type hammer for typewriter; Use: for electric typewriter; Material: of steel; Brand: ABC; Model: TH-202; Whether Dedicated Part: yes; Applicable Host Machine Model: ABC-300.
Common Mistakes：
Declaring general-purpose parts (such as screws) as typewriter parts, resulting in classification errors.
False material declaration, such as reporting plastic parts as metal parts, affecting classification.
Use description is too broad and does not reflect dedicated use for typewriters, possibly leading to classification under other headings.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the dedicated nature of the part. According to HS notes, 8473 covers only parts dedicated to or primarily used with typewriters, word processing machines, calculators, and similar machines. If a part is a general-purpose item (such as springs or bolts), it should be classified under the corresponding heading according to its material; if a part can be used with multiple machines, it must be determined according to its primary use. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish typewriter parts from printing machinery parts (8443), computer parts (8473.30), etc. 847330 Parts of automatic data processing equipment: 847330 is dedicated to parts of automatic data processing equipment (such as computers), while 847310 is dedicated to typewriters. If a part can be used with both computers and typewriters, it must be classified according to its primary use. 844399 Parts of printing machinery: 844399 covers parts of printing machines, printers, etc., while 847310 is for typewriter parts. Modern printers and typewriters overlap in function, but typewriters generally refer to traditional mechanical or electric typewriters. 848590 Other machinery parts: 848590 covers machinery parts not specified under other headings; if typewriter parts do not meet the dedicated-use requirement of 8473, they may be classified here. 732690 Other articles of iron or steel: If typewriter parts are general-purpose iron or steel articles (such as steel bolts) and are not dedicated to typewriters, they should be classified under 732690. Is the part dedicated to typewriters? Can the part be classified under another more specific heading? Does the material affect classification? Is it a general-purpose part? Is the host machine a typewriter rather than a printer or computer?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the dedicated nature of the part. According to HS notes, 8473 covers only parts dedicated to or primarily used with typewriters, word processing machines, calculators, and similar machines. If a part is a general-purpose item (such as springs or bolts), it should be classified under the corresponding heading according to its material; if a part can be used with multiple machines, it must be determined according to its primary use. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish typewriter parts from printing machinery parts (8443), computer parts (8473.30), etc.
Confused Codes：
847330 - Parts of automatic data processing equipment
847330 is dedicated to parts of automatic data processing equipment (such as computers), while 847310 is dedicated to typewriters. If a part can be used with both computers and typewriters, it must be classified according to its primary use.
844399 - Parts of printing machinery
844399 covers parts of printing machines, printers, etc., while 847310 is for typewriter parts. Modern printers and typewriters overlap in function, but typewriters generally refer to traditional mechanical or electric typewriters.
848590 - Other machinery parts
848590 covers machinery parts not specified under other headings; if typewriter parts do not meet the dedicated-use requirement of 8473, they may be classified here.
732690 - Other articles of iron or steel
If typewriter parts are general-purpose iron or steel articles (such as steel bolts) and are not dedicated to typewriters, they should be classified under 732690.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the part dedicated to typewriters?
✓ Can the part be classified under another more specific heading?
✓ Does the material affect classification?
✓ Is it a general-purpose part?
✓ Is the host machine a typewriter rather than a printer or computer?
❓ FAQ
How can it be determined whether a part should be classified under 847310? First confirm whether the part is dedicated to or primarily used with typewriters. If the part is used only with typewriters and is not a general-purpose part, it is classified under 847310. If the part can be used with other machines, it must be determined according to its primary use. At the same time, the possibility of other more specific headings must be excluded. Should typewriter ribbons be classified under 847310? Typewriter ribbons are generally not classified under 847310, because ribbons are consumables rather than mechanical parts. Ribbons are generally classified under the corresponding heading according to material, such as plastic ribbons under 3926, textile ribbons under 5911, etc. However, if the ribbon is declared together with the typewriter, it may be classified as a complete machine. What is the difference in classification between parts of electric typewriters and word processing machines? Word processing machines generally have text editing functions, and their parts may be classified under other subheadings of 8473 (such as 847350). Typewriter parts are classified under 847310. If a word processing machine only has typing functions, it may be regarded as a typewriter. Judgment must be based on the machine's functions. Under which code should 847310 parts be classified if they are used for computer printers? Computer printers are generally classified under 8443, and their parts under 844399. Therefore, parts used for computer printers should not be classified under 847310, but under 844399. What special documents are required when declaring 847310? Generally, basic documents such as packing lists, invoices, and contracts are required. In addition, it is recommended to provide part drawings, manuals, or host machine model information to prove dedicated use. If required by customs, a certificate of origin, etc., may also be required. If the 847310 part is made of plastic, is it still classified under this code? Yes, as long as the plastic part is dedicated to typewriters and is not a general-purpose plastic article, it is still classified under 847310. However, if the plastic part is a general-purpose item (such as a plastic screw), it should be classified as a plastic article under 3926. How can the tax rate for 847310 be checked? The latest tax rate can be checked by entering code 847310 on the website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Tax rates may vary by country, trade agreement, etc., and must be considered in light of specific trade circumstances. If typewriter parts are imported together with the typewriter, how should they be declared? If the parts are imported together with the typewriter and constitute a complete machine, they should be classified as a complete machine, i.e., under 8472 (typewriters). If the parts are imported separately, they are classified as parts under 847310. If the parts are spare parts, they are also classified as parts.
Q: How can it be determined whether a part should be classified under 847310?
A: First confirm whether the part is dedicated to or primarily used with typewriters. If the part is used only with typewriters and is not a general-purpose part, it is classified under 847310. If the part can be used with other machines, it must be determined according to its primary use. At the same time, the possibility of other more specific headings must be excluded.
Q: Should typewriter ribbons be classified under 847310?
A: Typewriter ribbons are generally not classified under 847310, because ribbons are consumables rather than mechanical parts. Ribbons are generally classified under the corresponding heading according to material, such as plastic ribbons under 3926, textile ribbons under 5911, etc. However, if the ribbon is declared together with the typewriter, it may be classified as a complete machine.
Q: What is the difference in classification between parts of electric typewriters and word processing machines?
A: Word processing machines generally have text editing functions, and their parts may be classified under other subheadings of 8473 (such as 847350). Typewriter parts are classified under 847310. If a word processing machine only has typing functions, it may be regarded as a typewriter. Judgment must be based on the machine's functions.
Q: Under which code should 847310 parts be classified if they are used for computer printers?
A: Computer printers are generally classified under 8443, and their parts under 844399. Therefore, parts used for computer printers should not be classified under 847310, but under 844399.
Q: What special documents are required when declaring 847310?
A: Generally, basic documents such as packing lists, invoices, and contracts are required. In addition, it is recommended to provide part drawings, manuals, or host machine model information to prove dedicated use. If required by customs, a certificate of origin, etc., may also be required.
Q: If the 847310 part is made of plastic, is it still classified under this code?
A: Yes, as long as the plastic part is dedicated to typewriters and is not a general-purpose plastic article, it is still classified under 847310. However, if the plastic part is a general-purpose item (such as a plastic screw), it should be classified as a plastic article under 3926.
Q: How can the tax rate for 847310 be checked?
A: The latest tax rate can be checked by entering code 847310 on the website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Tax rates may vary by country, trade agreement, etc., and must be considered in light of specific trade circumstances.
Q: If typewriter parts are imported together with the typewriter, how should they be declared?
A: If the parts are imported together with the typewriter and constitute a complete machine, they should be classified as a complete machine, i.e., under 8472 (typewriters). If the parts are imported separately, they are classified as parts under 847310. If the parts are spare parts, they are also classified as parts.
⚠️ 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.