Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles. This chapter has an extremely broad scope, ranging from household appliances to industrial electronic equipment, with the core characteristic being that goods must operate by electrical energy or be parts of electrical equipment. Although electrical lighting devices for vehicles are installed on vehicles, they are classified in this chapter rather than Chapter 87 (vehicle parts) because they are essentially electrical equipment. Heading 8512 covers electrical lighting or signalling equipment (such as headlights, tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, reversing lights, license plate lights, etc.), windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters for bicycles or motor vehicles. However, note that this heading only includes electrical devices; non-electrical lighting devices (such as kerosene lamps) are classified in other chapters. In addition, parts of lighting equipment for motor vehicles, if presented separately, are also classified under this heading. Code 851220 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits "85" represent Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof). Digits 3-4 "12" represent heading 8512 (electrical lighting or signalling equipment, windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters for bicycles or motor vehicles). Digits 5-6 "20" represent subheading 851220, specifically "Other lighting or visual signalling equipment". This subheading is parallel to 851210 (lighting or visual signalling equipment for bicycles), with the distinction being the type of vehicle: bicycles fall under 851210, motor vehicles under 851220. This product is vehicle lighting equipment, belonging to electrical lighting equipment for motor vehicles, therefore classified under 851220. If it were lighting equipment for bicycles, it would be classified under 851210; if it were sound signalling equipment for vehicles (such as horns), it would be classified under 851230; if it were windscreen wipers or defrosters, it would be classified under 851240. Therefore, classification can be accurately determined based on vehicle type and device function.
Chapter
Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles. This chapter has an extremely broad scope, ranging from household appliances to industrial electronic equipment, with the core characteristic being that goods must operate by electrical energy or be parts of electrical equipment. Although electrical lighting devices for vehicles are installed on vehicles, they are classified in this chapter rather than Chapter 87 (vehicle parts) because they are essentially electrical equipment.
Heading
Heading 8512 covers electrical lighting or signalling equipment (such as headlights, tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, reversing lights, license plate lights, etc.), windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters for bicycles or motor vehicles. However, note that this heading only includes electrical devices; non-electrical lighting devices (such as kerosene lamps) are classified in other chapters. In addition, parts of lighting equipment for motor vehicles, if presented separately, are also classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
Code 851220 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits "85" represent Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof). Digits 3-4 "12" represent heading 8512 (electrical lighting or signalling equipment, windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters for bicycles or motor vehicles). Digits 5-6 "20" represent subheading 851220, specifically "Other lighting or visual signalling equipment". This subheading is parallel to 851210 (lighting or visual signalling equipment for bicycles), with the distinction being the type of vehicle: bicycles fall under 851210, motor vehicles under 851220.
Classification Basis
This product is vehicle lighting equipment, belonging to electrical lighting equipment for motor vehicles, therefore classified under 851220. If it were lighting equipment for bicycles, it would be classified under 851210; if it were sound signalling equipment for vehicles (such as horns), it would be classified under 851230; if it were windscreen wipers or defrosters, it would be classified under 851240. Therefore, classification can be accurately determined based on vehicle type and device function.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "LED headlamp for motor vehicles", "automobile tail light", etc. Use: Indicate the applicable vehicle type and specific use of the commodity, such as "for motor vehicle lighting", "for automobile turn signal". Brand: The brand name of the declared commodity; if no brand, indicate "unbranded". Model: The model or part number of the declared commodity, used to distinguish specific specifications. Material: Main materials, such as plastic housing, glass lens, LED chip, etc. Working Principle: Explain the light-emitting principle, such as LED, halogen, xenon, etc. Whether in Complete Sets of Knockdown Parts: If in knockdown parts, indicate whether in complete sets or unassembled. Product Name: LED headlamp for motor vehicles; Use: for front lighting of passenger cars; Brand: XX brand; Model: ABC-123; Material: plastic housing, glass lens, LED light source; Working Principle: LED light emission; Whether in Complete Sets of Knockdown Parts: No. Failure to distinguish between bicycle use and motor vehicle use, leading to confusion between subheadings 851210 and 851220. Incorrectly classifying non-electrical lighting devices (such as kerosene lamps) under this heading. Ignoring the distinction between parts and finished products; separately presented parts may be classified under other subheadings.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "LED headlamp for motor vehicles", "automobile tail light", etc.
⚠️ Declaring generically as "vehicle light" or "auto parts" without specifying lighting or signalling function.
Use
Indicate the applicable vehicle type and specific use of the commodity, such as "for motor vehicle lighting", "for automobile turn signal".
⚠️ Failure to indicate vehicle type (motor vehicle/bicycle), leading to classification errors.
Brand
The brand name of the declared commodity; if no brand, indicate "unbranded".
⚠️ Omitting the brand or incorrectly declaring a different brand.
Model
The model or part number of the declared commodity, used to distinguish specific specifications.
⚠️ Incomplete model declaration or inconsistency with the actual product.
Material
Main materials, such as plastic housing, glass lens, LED chip, etc.
⚠️ Only declaring "plastic" or "metal" without specifying the materials of key components.
Working Principle
Explain the light-emitting principle, such as LED, halogen, xenon, etc.
⚠️ Failure to declare the working principle, which may affect classification or customs valuation.
Whether in Complete Sets of Knockdown Parts
If in knockdown parts, indicate whether in complete sets or unassembled.
⚠️ Declaring complete sets of knockdown parts as finished products, leading to classification or tariff rate errors.
Example： Product Name: LED headlamp for motor vehicles; Use: for front lighting of passenger cars; Brand: XX brand; Model: ABC-123; Material: plastic housing, glass lens, LED light source; Working Principle: LED light emission; Whether in Complete Sets of Knockdown Parts: No.
Common Mistakes：
Failure to distinguish between bicycle use and motor vehicle use, leading to confusion between subheadings 851210 and 851220.
Incorrectly classifying non-electrical lighting devices (such as kerosene lamps) under this heading.
Ignoring the distinction between parts and finished products; separately presented parts may be classified under other subheadings.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification criteria: 1. Whether the commodity is used for bicycles or motor vehicles; 2. Whether it is electrical lighting or visual signalling equipment; 3. Whether it falls within the scope of heading 8512. If the commodity is electrical lighting equipment for motor vehicles, it is classified under 851220. If for bicycles, under 851210. If it is sound signalling equipment, under 851230. If it is windscreen wipers, etc., under 851240. 851210 Lighting or visual signalling equipment for bicycles: Different applicable vehicle type: 851210 is exclusively for bicycles, 851220 is for motor vehicles. 851230 Sound signalling equipment for motor vehicles: Different function: 851230 is for sound signals (such as horns), 851220 is for lighting or visual signals. 851240 Windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters: Different function: 851240 is for cleaning or demisting devices, 851220 is for lighting or visual signals. 8539 Electric light sources (such as bulbs, tubes): 8539 is for general electric light sources; if vehicle bulbs are presented separately, they may be classified under 8539, but as a complete vehicle lighting device, they are classified under 851220. 8708 Parts and accessories of motor vehicles: 8708 is for vehicle parts, but electrical lighting devices, being electrical equipment, are classified with priority in Chapter 85. Is it used for motor vehicles? Does it have lighting or visual signalling function? Does it operate by electrical energy? Is it a separately presented part? Is it distinguished from 851210, 851230, 851240?
Basis
Core classification criteria: 1. Whether the commodity is used for bicycles or motor vehicles; 2. Whether it is electrical lighting or visual signalling equipment; 3. Whether it falls within the scope of heading 8512. If the commodity is electrical lighting equipment for motor vehicles, it is classified under 851220. If for bicycles, under 851210. If it is sound signalling equipment, under 851230. If it is windscreen wipers, etc., under 851240.
Confused Codes：
851210 - Lighting or visual signalling equipment for bicycles
Different applicable vehicle type: 851210 is exclusively for bicycles, 851220 is for motor vehicles.
851230 - Sound signalling equipment for motor vehicles
Different function: 851230 is for sound signals (such as horns), 851220 is for lighting or visual signals.
851240 - Windscreen wipers, defrosters and demisters
Different function: 851240 is for cleaning or demisting devices, 851220 is for lighting or visual signals.
8539 - Electric light sources (such as bulbs, tubes)
8539 is for general electric light sources; if vehicle bulbs are presented separately, they may be classified under 8539, but as a complete vehicle lighting device, they are classified under 851220.
8708 - Parts and accessories of motor vehicles
8708 is for vehicle parts, but electrical lighting devices, being electrical equipment, are classified with priority in Chapter 85.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it used for motor vehicles?
✓ Does it have lighting or visual signalling function?
✓ Does it operate by electrical energy?
✓ Is it a separately presented part?
✓ Is it distinguished from 851210, 851230, 851240?
❓ FAQ
What HS code should automobile headlamps be classified under? Automobile headlamps are electrical lighting equipment for motor vehicles and should be classified under 851220. However, note that bicycle headlamps are classified under 851210. Is there a classification difference between LED lamps and halogen lamps for vehicles? No difference; both are classified under 851220 as electrical lighting equipment for vehicles, because classification is based on function and use, not on the light-emitting principle. Are automobile horns classified under 851220? No. Automobile horns are sound signalling equipment and should be classified under 851230. 851220 only covers lighting or visual signalling equipment. How are vehicle bulbs imported separately classified? If vehicle bulbs are presented separately, they may be classified under 8539 (electric light sources), but if imported as a complete vehicle lighting device, they are classified under 851220. How to check the import tariff rate for 851220? Tariff rates change; it is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, the CCPIT, or professional customs brokers, or use HS code query tools. What are common errors in declaration elements for 851220? Common errors include failure to indicate vehicle type (motor vehicle/bicycle), failure to declare working principle, omission of brand and model, etc., leading to classification or valuation issues. How are parts of vehicle lighting devices classified? If parts are presented separately and are dedicated to vehicle lighting devices, they are generally also classified under 851220; however, if they are general-purpose parts, they may be classified under other headings. How to distinguish between 851220 and 8708? 8708 is for motor vehicle parts, but electrical lighting devices, being electrical equipment, are classified with priority in Chapter 85. Therefore, vehicle lighting devices should be classified under 851220, not 8708.
Q: What HS code should automobile headlamps be classified under?
A: Automobile headlamps are electrical lighting equipment for motor vehicles and should be classified under 851220. However, note that bicycle headlamps are classified under 851210.
Q: Is there a classification difference between LED lamps and halogen lamps for vehicles?
A: No difference; both are classified under 851220 as electrical lighting equipment for vehicles, because classification is based on function and use, not on the light-emitting principle.
Q: Are automobile horns classified under 851220?
A: No. Automobile horns are sound signalling equipment and should be classified under 851230. 851220 only covers lighting or visual signalling equipment.
Q: How are vehicle bulbs imported separately classified?
A: If vehicle bulbs are presented separately, they may be classified under 8539 (electric light sources), but if imported as a complete vehicle lighting device, they are classified under 851220.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for 851220?
A: Tariff rates change; it is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, the CCPIT, or professional customs brokers, or use HS code query tools.
Q: What are common errors in declaration elements for 851220?
A: Common errors include failure to indicate vehicle type (motor vehicle/bicycle), failure to declare working principle, omission of brand and model, etc., leading to classification or valuation issues.
Q: How are parts of vehicle lighting devices classified?
A: If parts are presented separately and are dedicated to vehicle lighting devices, they are generally also classified under 851220; however, if they are general-purpose parts, they may be classified under other headings.
Q: How to distinguish between 851220 and 8708?
A: 8708 is for motor vehicle parts, but electrical lighting devices, being electrical equipment, are classified with priority in Chapter 85. Therefore, vehicle lighting devices should be classified under 851220, not 8708.
⚠️ 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.