Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification system covering mechanical appliances, machinery and their parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, office machinery, metalworking machinery, industrial robots, automatic data processing equipment, etc. This chapter emphasizes the mechanical function and power-driven characteristics of goods, and the classification of parts must follow the principle of "solely or principally for use with a particular type of machinery." Heading 8479 serves as the residual heading of this chapter, specifically accommodating machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of this chapter. Heading 8479 covers machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of this chapter, such as: public works machinery, industrial robots (not elsewhere specified), air humidifiers, ship propellers, vending machines, etc. This heading is a "residual heading," and goods should only be considered for classification under 8479 when it is confirmed that they cannot be classified under other more specific headings of Chapter 84. Parts thereof, if solely or principally for use with machines under 8479, are classified under 847990. HS code 847990 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits "84" represent Chapter 84 (mechanical appliances, machinery and their parts). The 3rd-4th digits "79" represent heading 8479 (machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of this chapter). The 5th-6th digits "90" represent subheading 847990, i.e., parts solely or principally for use with machines under heading 8479. Note: If the part itself is a general-purpose part already specified in other headings (such as bolts, springs, gears, etc.), even if solely for use with 8479 machines, it should be classified under its respective heading rather than 847990. This commodity is a specialized machinery part, and the main machine to which it belongs is a machine having individual functions classified under 8479. Since the part is solely for use with that main machine and does not belong to other headings of Chapter 84 (such as 8481 valves, 8482 bearings) or electrical parts of Chapter 85, it is classified under 847990. If the part is interchangeable across multiple types of machinery, it may be classified under general-purpose parts headings such as 8487.
Chapter
Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification system covering mechanical appliances, machinery and their parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, office machinery, metalworking machinery, industrial robots, automatic data processing equipment, etc. This chapter emphasizes the mechanical function and power-driven characteristics of goods, and the classification of parts must follow the principle of "solely or principally for use with a particular type of machinery." Heading 8479 serves as the residual heading of this chapter, specifically accommodating machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 8479 covers machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of this chapter, such as: public works machinery, industrial robots (not elsewhere specified), air humidifiers, ship propellers, vending machines, etc. This heading is a "residual heading," and goods should only be considered for classification under 8479 when it is confirmed that they cannot be classified under other more specific headings of Chapter 84. Parts thereof, if solely or principally for use with machines under 8479, are classified under 847990.
Digit Breakdown
HS code 847990 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits "84" represent Chapter 84 (mechanical appliances, machinery and their parts). The 3rd-4th digits "79" represent heading 8479 (machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of this chapter). The 5th-6th digits "90" represent subheading 847990, i.e., parts solely or principally for use with machines under heading 8479. Note: If the part itself is a general-purpose part already specified in other headings (such as bolts, springs, gears, etc.), even if solely for use with 8479 machines, it should be classified under its respective heading rather than 847990.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a specialized machinery part, and the main machine to which it belongs is a machine having individual functions classified under 8479. Since the part is solely for use with that main machine and does not belong to other headings of Chapter 84 (such as 8481 valves, 8482 bearings) or electrical parts of Chapter 85, it is classified under 847990. If the part is interchangeable across multiple types of machinery, it may be classified under general-purpose parts headings such as 8487.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity, which should be specific and clear, such as "Harmonic reducer for industrial robots." Use: Explain what type of machine under 8479 the part is solely for use with, such as "solely for vending machines." Material: Main constituent materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, engineering plastics, etc. Brand: Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, indicate "no brand." Model: The model or specification of the part, which should match the main machine. Main Machine HS Code: The HS code of the main machine for which the part is solely used, which should be under 8479. Whether General-Purpose Part: Declare whether the part is interchangeable across other machinery, such as "dedicated, not general-purpose." Product Name: Harmonic reducer for industrial robots; Use: Solely for industrial robots under 8479.50; Material: Alloy steel; Brand: Harmonic; Model: CSF-20; Main Machine HS Code: 847950; Whether General-Purpose Part: Dedicated, not general-purpose. Misclassifying general-purpose parts (such as bolts) under 847990; they should be classified under 7318. Failure to provide the main machine HS code, making it impossible to prove exclusivity. Although the part is solely for use with 8479 machines, it is itself a valve of 8481 and should be classified under 8481.
Product Name
The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity, which should be specific and clear, such as "Harmonic reducer for industrial robots."
⚠️ Writing only "mechanical parts" is too general and may raise customs doubts about classification.
Use
Explain what type of machine under 8479 the part is solely for use with, such as "solely for vending machines."
⚠️ Failure to specify the main machine model or use, making it impossible to determine exclusivity.
Material
Main constituent materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, engineering plastics, etc.
⚠️ Inaccurate material description, affecting classification and valuation.
Brand
Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, indicate "no brand."
⚠️ Failure to declare the brand or inconsistency with the invoice.
Model
The model or specification of the part, which should match the main machine.
⚠️ Incorrect model declaration, resulting in mismatch with the main machine.
Main Machine HS Code
The HS code of the main machine for which the part is solely used, which should be under 8479.
⚠️ Incorrect main machine code, leading to incorrect part classification.
Whether General-Purpose Part
Declare whether the part is interchangeable across other machinery, such as "dedicated, not general-purpose."
⚠️ Misreporting a general-purpose part as a dedicated part.
Example： Product Name: Harmonic reducer for industrial robots; Use: Solely for industrial robots under 8479.50; Material: Alloy steel; Brand: Harmonic; Model: CSF-20; Main Machine HS Code: 847950; Whether General-Purpose Part: Dedicated, not general-purpose.
Common Mistakes：
Misclassifying general-purpose parts (such as bolts) under 847990; they should be classified under 7318.
Failure to provide the main machine HS code, making it impossible to prove exclusivity.
Although the part is solely for use with 8479 machines, it is itself a valve of 8481 and should be classified under 8481.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1) whether the commodity is a machine part not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of Chapter 84; 2) whether it is solely or principally for use with machines under 8479; 3) whether it is a general-purpose part. If the part is a general-purpose part, even if solely for use with 8479 machines, it should be classified under other chapters according to its material (e.g., iron or steel bolts under 7318). If the part is a dedicated part for 8479 machines and is not specified or included in other headings, it is classified under 847990. 847950 Industrial robots: 847950 is for complete industrial robots; 847990 is for their dedicated parts. If importing a complete machine, it should be classified under 847950; parts under 847990. 848790 Other machinery parts: 848790 is for general-purpose machinery parts not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of Chapter 84, while 847990 is for parts solely for use with 8479 machines. 848310 Transmission shafts and cranks: If a transmission shaft is a general-purpose transmission component, it should be classified under 848310, even if solely for use with 8479 machines. 848340 Gears and gearing: If a gear is a general-purpose gear, it is classified under 848340; if it is a gear dedicated to and inseparable from a 8479 machine, it may be classified under 847990. 850110 Electric motors: If an electric motor is an independent electrical component, it is classified under 8501; if it is dedicated to and integrated with a 8479 machine, it may be classified under 847990. Is the main machine classified under 8479? Is the part solely for use with that main machine? Is the part a general-purpose part? Is the part already specified or included in other headings? Has the main machine HS code been provided?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1) whether the commodity is a machine part not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of Chapter 84; 2) whether it is solely or principally for use with machines under 8479; 3) whether it is a general-purpose part. If the part is a general-purpose part, even if solely for use with 8479 machines, it should be classified under other chapters according to its material (e.g., iron or steel bolts under 7318). If the part is a dedicated part for 8479 machines and is not specified or included in other headings, it is classified under 847990.
Confused Codes：
847950 - Industrial robots
847950 is for complete industrial robots; 847990 is for their dedicated parts. If importing a complete machine, it should be classified under 847950; parts under 847990.
848790 - Other machinery parts
848790 is for general-purpose machinery parts not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of Chapter 84, while 847990 is for parts solely for use with 8479 machines.
848310 - Transmission shafts and cranks
If a transmission shaft is a general-purpose transmission component, it should be classified under 848310, even if solely for use with 8479 machines.
848340 - Gears and gearing
If a gear is a general-purpose gear, it is classified under 848340; if it is a gear dedicated to and inseparable from a 8479 machine, it may be classified under 847990.
850110 - Electric motors
If an electric motor is an independent electrical component, it is classified under 8501; if it is dedicated to and integrated with a 8479 machine, it may be classified under 847990.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the main machine classified under 8479?
✓ Is the part solely for use with that main machine?
✓ Is the part a general-purpose part?
✓ Is the part already specified or included in other headings?
✓ Has the main machine HS code been provided?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether a part is solely for use with 8479 machines? It is necessary to provide the main machine model, part design drawings or contracts to prove that the part can only be used with a specific machine under 8479 and cannot be used interchangeably with other machinery. If it can be used interchangeably, it is classified under a general-purpose parts heading. What is the difference between 847990 and 848790? 847990 is for parts solely for use with machines under 8479; 848790 is for general-purpose machinery parts not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of Chapter 84. The key difference lies in exclusivity: 847990 must be solely for use with 8479 machines, while 848790 has no dedicated main machine. What documents are required for importing 847990 parts? Contracts, invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, part specifications, main machine model and HS code are required. If customs questions the classification, photos of the main machine, design drawings or function descriptions may be required. If a part is a dedicated gear for a 8479 machine, should it be classified under 848340 or 847990? If the gear is a general-purpose gear, it should be classified under 848340; if the gear is designed integrally with the 8479 machine, inseparable and solely for use with that machine, it is classified under 847990. It is recommended to provide design drawings to prove exclusivity. How to check the tariff rate for 847990? You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the "Customs Classification Intelligent Navigation" system and enter 847990 to check the latest tariff rate. Tariff rates vary depending on trade agreements and country of origin; it is recommended to rely on the customs system at the time of declaration. What should be noted when declaring 847990 parts sold via cross-border e-commerce? It is necessary to accurately declare the product name, use, material, brand, model and main machine HS code. Low-value parcels must also be truthfully declared to avoid return or penalties due to classification errors. If a 847990 part is a consumable, does the classification change? If a consumable is solely for use with 8479 machines, it is still classified under 847990; however, if the consumable itself is an independent commodity (such as lubricating oil), it is classified under the corresponding heading. How to respond when customs questions the classification of 847990? You can provide main machine technical documentation, part function descriptions, exclusivity proof, etc., and apply for advance classification if necessary. If disputes remain, you may apply for administrative reconsideration.
Q: How to determine whether a part is solely for use with 8479 machines?
A: It is necessary to provide the main machine model, part design drawings or contracts to prove that the part can only be used with a specific machine under 8479 and cannot be used interchangeably with other machinery. If it can be used interchangeably, it is classified under a general-purpose parts heading.
Q: What is the difference between 847990 and 848790?
A: 847990 is for parts solely for use with machines under 8479; 848790 is for general-purpose machinery parts not specified or included elsewhere in other headings of Chapter 84. The key difference lies in exclusivity: 847990 must be solely for use with 8479 machines, while 848790 has no dedicated main machine.
Q: What documents are required for importing 847990 parts?
A: Contracts, invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, part specifications, main machine model and HS code are required. If customs questions the classification, photos of the main machine, design drawings or function descriptions may be required.
Q: If a part is a dedicated gear for a 8479 machine, should it be classified under 848340 or 847990?
A: If the gear is a general-purpose gear, it should be classified under 848340; if the gear is designed integrally with the 8479 machine, inseparable and solely for use with that machine, it is classified under 847990. It is recommended to provide design drawings to prove exclusivity.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 847990?
A: You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the "Customs Classification Intelligent Navigation" system and enter 847990 to check the latest tariff rate. Tariff rates vary depending on trade agreements and country of origin; it is recommended to rely on the customs system at the time of declaration.
Q: What should be noted when declaring 847990 parts sold via cross-border e-commerce?
A: It is necessary to accurately declare the product name, use, material, brand, model and main machine HS code. Low-value parcels must also be truthfully declared to avoid return or penalties due to classification errors.
Q: If a 847990 part is a consumable, does the classification change?
A: If a consumable is solely for use with 8479 machines, it is still classified under 847990; however, if the consumable itself is an independent commodity (such as lubricating oil), it is classified under the corresponding heading.
Q: How to respond when customs questions the classification of 847990?
A: You can provide main machine technical documentation, part function descriptions, exclusivity proof, etc., and apply for advance classification if necessary. If disputes remain, you may apply for administrative reconsideration.
⚠️ 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.