Chapter 84 is the chapter of the HS classification system for 'nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts thereof', covering a wide range of mechanical commodities such as power machinery, pumps, fans, transmission devices, machine tools, and office equipment. Its core characteristic is that goods must have mechanical movement or energy conversion functions, rather than being purely electrical or electronic equipment. This chapter is one of the chapters with the most complex variety of commodities and the highest technical content in international trade. Heading 8483 covers 'Transmission shafts and cranks; bearing housings and plain shaft bearings; gears and gearing; ball or roller screws; gear boxes and other speed changers, including torque converters; flywheels and pulleys, including pulley blocks; clutches and shaft couplings'. Among these, gears and gearing are one of the core commodities, including various gears, gear boxes, speed reducers, speed increasers, and other independently driven mechanical devices. The first 2 digits 84 represent Chapter 84 machinery and mechanical appliances; digits 3-4, 83, are the heading, indicating transmission devices and parts; digits 5-6, 40, are the subheading, specifically referring to 'gears and gearing', but note that HS code 848340 may be further subdivided in some country versions into 8483.40.10 (gears) and 8483.40.90 (other gearing). The code structure reflects the hierarchical classification logic from broad category to specific commodity; the first four digits determine the basic category of the commodity, and the last two digits further define it as gearing. This commodity is gearing, with the function of changing speed and transmitting torque, and is a core component of mechanical transmission. Its classification basis is that heading 8483 explicitly names 'gears and gearing', and it is not included in adjacent headings such as 8481 (valves) or 8482 (bearings). If it is a separate gear or gear box, it is classified under this heading; if it is a complete unit with a power source, it may be classified under other headings.
Chapter
Chapter 84 is the chapter of the HS classification system for 'nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts thereof', covering a wide range of mechanical commodities such as power machinery, pumps, fans, transmission devices, machine tools, and office equipment. Its core characteristic is that goods must have mechanical movement or energy conversion functions, rather than being purely electrical or electronic equipment. This chapter is one of the chapters with the most complex variety of commodities and the highest technical content in international trade.
Heading
Heading 8483 covers 'Transmission shafts and cranks; bearing housings and plain shaft bearings; gears and gearing; ball or roller screws; gear boxes and other speed changers, including torque converters; flywheels and pulleys, including pulley blocks; clutches and shaft couplings'. Among these, gears and gearing are one of the core commodities, including various gears, gear boxes, speed reducers, speed increasers, and other independently driven mechanical devices.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 84 represent Chapter 84 machinery and mechanical appliances; digits 3-4, 83, are the heading, indicating transmission devices and parts; digits 5-6, 40, are the subheading, specifically referring to 'gears and gearing', but note that HS code 848340 may be further subdivided in some country versions into 8483.40.10 (gears) and 8483.40.90 (other gearing). The code structure reflects the hierarchical classification logic from broad category to specific commodity; the first four digits determine the basic category of the commodity, and the last two digits further define it as gearing.
Classification Basis
This commodity is gearing, with the function of changing speed and transmitting torque, and is a core component of mechanical transmission. Its classification basis is that heading 8483 explicitly names 'gears and gearing', and it is not included in adjacent headings such as 8481 (valves) or 8482 (bearings). If it is a separate gear or gear box, it is classified under this heading; if it is a complete unit with a power source, it may be classified under other headings.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as 'gearing', 'speed reducer', 'gear box', etc., which must be consistent with the actual item. Brand: Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'. Model: Fill in the product's specification model, such as 'GX-200', 'ZQ500', etc., used to distinguish different specifications. Material: Material of the main components, such as 'steel', 'cast iron', 'alloy steel', etc. Use: Explain the application field, such as 'used for machine tool transmission', 'used for automobile variable speed', etc. Transmission mode: Such as 'gear transmission', 'worm gear transmission', etc. Whether it contains a power source: Clearly state whether it has its own motor or engine, such as 'without power source'. Power: If applicable, fill in the rated power (kW) to further confirm the commodity attributes. Product name: gear reducer; Brand: SEW; Model: R97; Material: cast iron housing, alloy steel gears; Use: used for conveyor transmission; Transmission mode: gear transmission; Whether it contains a power source: without power source; Power: 5.5kW. Mistakenly classifying an integrated transmission device with a motor under 8483, when it may actually be classified under 8501 or a heading other than 8483.40. The material declaration is not specific, such as writing only 'metal', which may lead to classification disputes. The use description is too general and does not reflect the specific application scenario, affecting customs review.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as 'gearing', 'speed reducer', 'gear box', etc., which must be consistent with the actual item.
⚠️ Writing only 'gear' or 'transmission device', which is too general and does not reflect the specific type.
Brand
Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'.
⚠️ Mistaking the trader's name for the brand.
Model
Fill in the product's specification model, such as 'GX-200', 'ZQ500', etc., used to distinguish different specifications.
⚠️ The model does not match the actual item or is omitted.
Material
Material of the main components, such as 'steel', 'cast iron', 'alloy steel', etc.
⚠️ Filling in only 'metal', which is not specific enough.
Use
Explain the application field, such as 'used for machine tool transmission', 'used for automobile variable speed', etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as 'industrial use'.
Transmission mode
Such as 'gear transmission', 'worm gear transmission', etc.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in 'belt transmission' or other non-gear types.
Whether it contains a power source
Clearly state whether it has its own motor or engine, such as 'without power source'.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring a unit with a motor as a pure gear box.
Power
If applicable, fill in the rated power (kW) to further confirm the commodity attributes.
⚠️ Omission or incorrect unit.
Example: Product name: gear reducer; Brand: SEW; Model: R97; Material: cast iron housing, alloy steel gears; Use: used for conveyor transmission; Transmission mode: gear transmission; Whether it contains a power source: without power source; Power: 5.5kW.
Common Mistakes:
Mistakenly classifying an integrated transmission device with a motor under 8483, when it may actually be classified under 8501 or a heading other than 8483.40.
The material declaration is not specific, such as writing only 'metal', which may lead to classification disputes.
The use description is too general and does not reflect the specific application scenario, affecting customs review.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and the 'HS Explanatory Notes'. Subheading 8483.40 explicitly covers 'gears and gearing', including separately presented gears, gear boxes, speed reducers, speed increasers, etc. Key determination points: 1) whether it is gear-type transmission; 2) whether it is independent of a power source; 3) whether it has the function of changing speed or torque. If it is a complete unit with a power source, it should be classified under other headings of Chapter 84 (such as 8501 electric motors) or Chapter 85. 848310 Transmission shafts and cranks: Transmission shafts transmit rotational motion but do not change speed, while gearing can change speed and torque. 848320 Bearing housings and plain shaft bearings: Bearing housings are used to support shafts and do not transmit power; gearing is used to transmit power and change speed. 848350 Flywheels and pulleys: Flywheels store kinetic energy, and pulleys change direction, neither changes speed; gearing can change speed. 848360 Clutches and shaft couplings: Clutches are used to connect or disconnect power, and shaft couplings are used to connect two shafts; gearing is used for variable-speed transmission. 850110 Electric motors: Electric motors are power sources, while gearing is a purely mechanical transmission component without a power source. Does it not contain a power source? Does it transmit through gear meshing? Is it used to change speed or torque? Is it presented separately? Does it fall within the named scope of heading 8483?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the 'Import and Export Tariff' and the 'HS Explanatory Notes'. Subheading 8483.40 explicitly covers 'gears and gearing', including separately presented gears, gear boxes, speed reducers, speed increasers, etc. Key determination points: 1) whether it is gear-type transmission; 2) whether it is independent of a power source; 3) whether it has the function of changing speed or torque. If it is a complete unit with a power source, it should be classified under other headings of Chapter 84 (such as 8501 electric motors) or Chapter 85.
Confused Codes:
848310 - Transmission shafts and cranks
Transmission shafts transmit rotational motion but do not change speed, while gearing can change speed and torque.
848320 - Bearing housings and plain shaft bearings
Bearing housings are used to support shafts and do not transmit power; gearing is used to transmit power and change speed.
848350 - Flywheels and pulleys
Flywheels store kinetic energy, and pulleys change direction, neither changes speed; gearing can change speed.
848360 - Clutches and shaft couplings
Clutches are used to connect or disconnect power, and shaft couplings are used to connect two shafts; gearing is used for variable-speed transmission.
850110 - Electric motors
Electric motors are power sources, while gearing is a purely mechanical transmission component without a power source.
Self-Check:
✓ Does it not contain a power source?
✓ Does it transmit through gear meshing?
✓ Is it used to change speed or torque?
✓ Is it presented separately?
✓ Does it fall within the named scope of heading 8483?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between 848340 and 848310? 848340 is gearing, which can change speed and torque; 848310 is transmission shafts and cranks, which only transmit rotational motion and do not change speed. If the commodity is a gear box or speed reducer, it should be classified under 848340. Which code should a gear reducer with an electric motor be classified under? If the electric motor and gear box are integrated and inseparable, it is usually classified as a complete machine, possibly under 8501 (electric motors) or 8483 (if the gear box is the main function). It should be determined based on the main function and HS Explanatory Notes; advance classification is recommended. How can I check the import tariff rate for 848340? Tariff rates may change. You can check the latest rates by entering the HS code and country of origin on the General Administration of Customs website, electronic port, or professional query platforms. Note that free trade agreement rates may differ. How should 'Use' be filled in during declaration? The use should be specific, such as 'used for machine tool spindle transmission', 'used for automobile gearbox', and avoid vague expressions such as 'industrial use', so that customs can classify accurately. Does 848340 include gear parts? 848340 includes complete gears and gearing, but separately presented gear parts (such as gear blanks) may be classified under 8483.90. If they are finished gears, they are usually classified under 848340. How should cross-border e-commerce small parcel exports of gearing be declared? They must be declared according to the actual product name, material, use, etc., and cannot simply be written as 'accessories'. If the value is low, simplified declaration may apply, but accurate classification is still required. What is the distinction between 848340 and 848390? 848340 is a finished gearing product; 848390 is the subheading for other parts of heading 8483, such as gear box housings, shafts, etc. If it is a complete gear box, classify under 848340; if it is a dedicated part, classify under 848390. What are the consequences of incorrect classification? It may lead to tax recovery, fines, credit downgrading, etc. Enterprises are advised to strengthen classification review and apply for advance classification when necessary to ensure compliance.
Q: What is the difference between 848340 and 848310?
A: 848340 is gearing, which can change speed and torque; 848310 is transmission shafts and cranks, which only transmit rotational motion and do not change speed. If the commodity is a gear box or speed reducer, it should be classified under 848340.
Q: Which code should a gear reducer with an electric motor be classified under?
A: If the electric motor and gear box are integrated and inseparable, it is usually classified as a complete machine, possibly under 8501 (electric motors) or 8483 (if the gear box is the main function). It should be determined based on the main function and HS Explanatory Notes; advance classification is recommended.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 848340?
A: Tariff rates may change. You can check the latest rates by entering the HS code and country of origin on the General Administration of Customs website, electronic port, or professional query platforms. Note that free trade agreement rates may differ.
Q: How should 'Use' be filled in during declaration?
A: The use should be specific, such as 'used for machine tool spindle transmission', 'used for automobile gearbox', and avoid vague expressions such as 'industrial use', so that customs can classify accurately.
Q: Does 848340 include gear parts?
A: 848340 includes complete gears and gearing, but separately presented gear parts (such as gear blanks) may be classified under 8483.90. If they are finished gears, they are usually classified under 848340.
Q: How should cross-border e-commerce small parcel exports of gearing be declared?
A: They must be declared according to the actual product name, material, use, etc., and cannot simply be written as 'accessories'. If the value is low, simplified declaration may apply, but accurate classification is still required.
Q: What is the distinction between 848340 and 848390?
A: 848340 is a finished gearing product; 848390 is the subheading for other parts of heading 8483, such as gear box housings, shafts, etc. If it is a complete gear box, classify under 848340; if it is a dedicated part, classify under 848390.
Q: What are the consequences of incorrect classification?
A: It may lead to tax recovery, fines, credit downgrading, etc. Enterprises are advised to strengthen classification review and apply for advance classification when necessary to ensure compliance.
⚠️ 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.