Chapter 85 covers electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, electromagnets, electrothermic appliances, telephones, microphones, loudspeakers, television image recording and reproducing equipment, electrical sound or visual signaling apparatus, etc. The core characteristic of this chapter is that goods have electronic or electrical functions, or operate using electromagnetic principles. A car phone holder, if it only has a physical support function, is generally not classified in this chapter, but should be classified in the chapter for base metal or plastic articles; however, if it has electrical functions such as charging, magnetic attachment, or electric adjustment, it may be classified in this chapter. Heading 8517 includes telephone sets (including telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks) and other apparatus for transmitting or receiving voice, images or other data, including communication apparatus for wired or wireless networks (such as local area networks, wide area networks). This heading covers mobile phones, base stations, routers, modems, walkie-talkies and other communication equipment and their parts. A car phone holder, if it is a dedicated accessory for a mobile phone and does not itself constitute communication equipment, is generally not classified in this heading, unless it integrates a wireless communication module or has communication functions. Code 851712 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits "85" represent Chapter 85: Electric motors, electrical equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories thereof. The 3rd-4th digits "17" represent heading 8517: Telephone sets, including telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks; other apparatus for transmitting or receiving voice, images or other data, including communication apparatus for wired or wireless networks. The 5th-6th digits "12" represent subheading 8517.12: Telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks. Therefore, 851712 specifically refers to telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks, that is, what is commonly called a mobile phone. A car phone holder itself is not a telephone set, and unless it is a component of a mobile phone or has communication functions, it should not be classified under this code. Car phone holders are usually made of plastic, metal or silicone, and are used to secure a mobile phone in a vehicle. If they only provide physical support and do not have electrical functions, they should be classified according to material in Chapter 39 (plastics) or Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel), etc. If they have a charging function, they may be classified under 8504 (transformers, static converters) or 8517 (parts of communication equipment). However, 851712 is the code for complete mobile phones, and a car phone holder, as a mobile phone accessory, is generally not classified under this code, unless the holder is sold together with the mobile phone as an integral part of the mobile phone.
Chapter
Chapter 85 covers electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, electromagnets, electrothermic appliances, telephones, microphones, loudspeakers, television image recording and reproducing equipment, electrical sound or visual signaling apparatus, etc. The core characteristic of this chapter is that goods have electronic or electrical functions, or operate using electromagnetic principles. A car phone holder, if it only has a physical support function, is generally not classified in this chapter, but should be classified in the chapter for base metal or plastic articles; however, if it has electrical functions such as charging, magnetic attachment, or electric adjustment, it may be classified in this chapter.
Heading
Heading 8517 includes telephone sets (including telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks) and other apparatus for transmitting or receiving voice, images or other data, including communication apparatus for wired or wireless networks (such as local area networks, wide area networks). This heading covers mobile phones, base stations, routers, modems, walkie-talkies and other communication equipment and their parts. A car phone holder, if it is a dedicated accessory for a mobile phone and does not itself constitute communication equipment, is generally not classified in this heading, unless it integrates a wireless communication module or has communication functions.
Digit Breakdown
Code 851712 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits "85" represent Chapter 85: Electric motors, electrical equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories thereof. The 3rd-4th digits "17" represent heading 8517: Telephone sets, including telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks; other apparatus for transmitting or receiving voice, images or other data, including communication apparatus for wired or wireless networks. The 5th-6th digits "12" represent subheading 8517.12: Telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks. Therefore, 851712 specifically refers to telephones for cellular networks or other wireless networks, that is, what is commonly called a mobile phone. A car phone holder itself is not a telephone set, and unless it is a component of a mobile phone or has communication functions, it should not be classified under this code.
Classification Basis
Car phone holders are usually made of plastic, metal or silicone, and are used to secure a mobile phone in a vehicle. If they only provide physical support and do not have electrical functions, they should be classified according to material in Chapter 39 (plastics) or Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel), etc. If they have a charging function, they may be classified under 8504 (transformers, static converters) or 8517 (parts of communication equipment). However, 851712 is the code for complete mobile phones, and a car phone holder, as a mobile phone accessory, is generally not classified under this code, unless the holder is sold together with the mobile phone as an integral part of the mobile phone.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declare the Chinese and foreign-language names of the goods, which should accurately reflect the attributes of the goods, such as "car phone holder" or "mobile phone car holder." Use: Explain the specific scenario of use of the goods, such as "used to secure a mobile phone in a car for navigation or calls." Material: List the main materials, such as "ABS plastic + aluminum alloy + silicone"; materials affect classification. Brand: Declare the brand name (if no brand, fill in "unbranded"); the brand helps determine whether it is an accessory of a well-known brand. Model: Fill in the product model or item number to facilitate identification of specific specifications. Function: Describe whether it has additional functions, such as "physical support only" or "with wireless charging function." Whether it has a charging function: Clearly state whether it integrates a wireless charging or wired charging module; this is key to classification. Applicable phone size: State the compatible mobile phone size range, such as "4.7-6.7 inches." Product name: car phone holder; Use: secure a mobile phone in a car for navigation; Material: ABS plastic + aluminum alloy + silicone; Brand: unbranded; Model: CH-001; Function: physical support only, no charging function; Whether it has a charging function: No; Applicable phone size: 4.7-6.7 inches. Misreporting a holder with wireless charging function as an ordinary holder, resulting in classification error. False material declaration, such as reporting only plastic when it actually contains metal, affecting classification. Use description is too broad and does not specify "car" and "securing a mobile phone," and it may be classified under other headings.
Product name
Declare the Chinese and foreign-language names of the goods, which should accurately reflect the attributes of the goods, such as "car phone holder" or "mobile phone car holder."
⚠️ Writing only "holder" or "mobile phone accessory" is too general and easily leads to classification disputes.
Use
Explain the specific scenario of use of the goods, such as "used to secure a mobile phone in a car for navigation or calls."
⚠️ Writing "for automobiles" without stating that it secures a mobile phone may lead to misclassification as an automobile part.
Material
List the main materials, such as "ABS plastic + aluminum alloy + silicone"; materials affect classification.
⚠️ Writing only "plastic" or "metal" without distinguishing primary and secondary materials, leading to classification errors.
Brand
Declare the brand name (if no brand, fill in "unbranded"); the brand helps determine whether it is an accessory of a well-known brand.
⚠️ Omitting the brand or filling in "neutral," which may affect customs protection of intellectual property rights.
Model
Fill in the product model or item number to facilitate identification of specific specifications.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the actual product.
Function
Describe whether it has additional functions, such as "physical support only" or "with wireless charging function."
⚠️ Failure to state whether it has electrical functions such as charging or magnetic attachment, leading to classification deviation.
Whether it has a charging function
Clearly state whether it integrates a wireless charging or wired charging module; this is key to classification.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring no charging function as having one, or vice versa.
Applicable phone size
State the compatible mobile phone size range, such as "4.7-6.7 inches."
⚠️ Failure to fill in, but this element has relatively little impact on classification and may be handled as appropriate.
Example： Product name: car phone holder; Use: secure a mobile phone in a car for navigation; Material: ABS plastic + aluminum alloy + silicone; Brand: unbranded; Model: CH-001; Function: physical support only, no charging function; Whether it has a charging function: No; Applicable phone size: 4.7-6.7 inches.
Common Mistakes：
Misreporting a holder with wireless charging function as an ordinary holder, resulting in classification error.
False material declaration, such as reporting only plastic when it actually contains metal, affecting classification.
Use description is too broad and does not specify "car" and "securing a mobile phone," and it may be classified under other headings.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the function, use, material of the goods and whether they have electrical functions. If a car phone holder is made only of plastic or metal and has no electrical function, classify by material: plastic articles under 3926.9090, iron or steel articles under 7326.9090, etc. If it has a wireless charging function, it may be classified under 8504.4090 (wireless charger) or 8517.7090 (parts of communication equipment). If the holder is sold together with the mobile phone and constitutes a dedicated mobile phone accessory, it may be classified under 8517.7090. However, 851712 is the code for complete mobile phones, and car phone holders are generally not classified under this code unless they are an inseparable component of the mobile phone. 39269090 Other articles of plastics: When the holder's main material is plastic and it has no electrical function, it is classified under this code, whereas 851712 is for complete mobile phones. 73269090 Other articles of iron or steel: When the holder's main material is iron or steel and it has no electrical function, it is classified under this code, which is completely different in function from 851712. 85044090 Other static converters: When the holder has a wireless charging function, it may be classified under this code, whereas 851712 is for mobile phones. 85177090 Other parts of communication equipment: When the holder serves as a dedicated part of a mobile phone and has characteristics of communication equipment, it may be classified under this code, but 851712 is for complete units. Does the product only provide physical support? Does the product have charging or electrical functions? Is the product's main material plastic, metal, or other? Is the product sold together with the mobile phone? Does the product have communication functions?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the function, use, material of the goods and whether they have electrical functions. If a car phone holder is made only of plastic or metal and has no electrical function, classify by material: plastic articles under 3926.9090, iron or steel articles under 7326.9090, etc. If it has a wireless charging function, it may be classified under 8504.4090 (wireless charger) or 8517.7090 (parts of communication equipment). If the holder is sold together with the mobile phone and constitutes a dedicated mobile phone accessory, it may be classified under 8517.7090. However, 851712 is the code for complete mobile phones, and car phone holders are generally not classified under this code unless they are an inseparable component of the mobile phone.
Confused Codes：
39269090 - Other articles of plastics
When the holder's main material is plastic and it has no electrical function, it is classified under this code, whereas 851712 is for complete mobile phones.
73269090 - Other articles of iron or steel
When the holder's main material is iron or steel and it has no electrical function, it is classified under this code, which is completely different in function from 851712.
85044090 - Other static converters
When the holder has a wireless charging function, it may be classified under this code, whereas 851712 is for mobile phones.
85177090 - Other parts of communication equipment
When the holder serves as a dedicated part of a mobile phone and has characteristics of communication equipment, it may be classified under this code, but 851712 is for complete units.
Self-Check：
✓ Does the product only provide physical support?
✓ Does the product have charging or electrical functions?
✓ Is the product's main material plastic, metal, or other?
✓ Is the product sold together with the mobile phone?
✓ Does the product have communication functions?
❓ FAQ
Which HS code should a car phone holder be classified under? The classification of a car phone holder depends on its function and material. If it is only for physical support and made of plastic, classify under 39269090; if made of iron or steel, classify under 73269090; if it has a wireless charging function, classify under 85044090; if it serves as a dedicated part of a mobile phone, classify under 85177090. It is generally not classified under 851712, because that code is for complete mobile phones. Why is a car phone holder not classified under 851712? 851712 is the code for cellular network telephones (mobile phones). A car phone holder is a mobile phone accessory and does not have communication functions, so it is not classified under this code. This is unless the holder is integrated with the mobile phone and constitutes an inseparable part of the mobile phone, but this situation is rare. How should a holder with a wireless charging function be classified? For a holder with a wireless charging function, if its main function is charging, it should be classified as a wireless charger under 85044090; if its main function is support and charging is an additional function, it may still be classified by material, but this must be judged according to the main function. It is recommended to provide a detailed functional description. What elements should be noted when declaring? Focus on declaring the product name, use, material, function (whether it has charging), brand, and model. Material and function are key to classification and must be declared truthfully. If it has a charging function, the charging method (wireless/wired) must be clearly stated. How can I check the tax rate for a car phone holder? Tax rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the China International Trade Single Window. After entering the correct HS code, you can view import tariffs, value-added tax, etc. Different codes have different tax rates, and classification errors may lead to incorrect application of tax rates. What classification advice is there for cross-border e-commerce sellers selling car phone holders? Cross-border e-commerce sellers should classify accurately to avoid customs clearance delays or fines caused by classification errors. It is recommended to choose the code based on the product's actual function and material, and retain relevant supporting materials. If uncertain, consult a professional customs broker or customs authority. If the holder is a combination of plastic and metal, how should it be classified? According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System, it should be classified according to the main material. If plastic accounts for a larger proportion, classify under 39269090; if metal accounts for a larger proportion, classify under 73269090. Proof of material proportions must be provided. If it cannot be determined, a pre-classification ruling may be applied for. Is the export tax rebate for car phone holders affected? The export tax rebate rate depends on the HS code, and different codes have different rebate rates. Correct classification ensures that the due rebate is obtained. If classified incorrectly, it may lead to loss of tax rebate or tax risks. It is recommended to verify the code before declaring.
Q: Which HS code should a car phone holder be classified under?
A: The classification of a car phone holder depends on its function and material. If it is only for physical support and made of plastic, classify under 39269090; if made of iron or steel, classify under 73269090; if it has a wireless charging function, classify under 85044090; if it serves as a dedicated part of a mobile phone, classify under 85177090. It is generally not classified under 851712, because that code is for complete mobile phones.
Q: Why is a car phone holder not classified under 851712?
A: 851712 is the code for cellular network telephones (mobile phones). A car phone holder is a mobile phone accessory and does not have communication functions, so it is not classified under this code. This is unless the holder is integrated with the mobile phone and constitutes an inseparable part of the mobile phone, but this situation is rare.
Q: How should a holder with a wireless charging function be classified?
A: For a holder with a wireless charging function, if its main function is charging, it should be classified as a wireless charger under 85044090; if its main function is support and charging is an additional function, it may still be classified by material, but this must be judged according to the main function. It is recommended to provide a detailed functional description.
Q: What elements should be noted when declaring?
A: Focus on declaring the product name, use, material, function (whether it has charging), brand, and model. Material and function are key to classification and must be declared truthfully. If it has a charging function, the charging method (wireless/wired) must be clearly stated.
Q: How can I check the tax rate for a car phone holder?
A: Tax rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the China International Trade Single Window. After entering the correct HS code, you can view import tariffs, value-added tax, etc. Different codes have different tax rates, and classification errors may lead to incorrect application of tax rates.
Q: What classification advice is there for cross-border e-commerce sellers selling car phone holders?
A: Cross-border e-commerce sellers should classify accurately to avoid customs clearance delays or fines caused by classification errors. It is recommended to choose the code based on the product's actual function and material, and retain relevant supporting materials. If uncertain, consult a professional customs broker or customs authority.
Q: If the holder is a combination of plastic and metal, how should it be classified?
A: According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System, it should be classified according to the main material. If plastic accounts for a larger proportion, classify under 39269090; if metal accounts for a larger proportion, classify under 73269090. Proof of material proportions must be provided. If it cannot be determined, a pre-classification ruling may be applied for.
Q: Is the export tax rebate for car phone holders affected?
A: The export tax rebate rate depends on the HS code, and different codes have different rebate rates. Correct classification ensures that the due rebate is obtained. If classified incorrectly, it may lead to loss of tax rebate or tax risks. It is recommended to verify the code before declaring.
⚠️ 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.