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 is one of the most technology-intensive chapters in the HS classification, covering a wide range of goods from household appliances to industrial electronic equipment. Within the chapter, goods are divided by function into multiple headings, such as 8525 to 8528 covering communication, recording, and video equipment, and 8526 specifically covering radar, radio navigational, and remote control equipment. Heading 8526 covers radar apparatus, radio navigational aid apparatus, and radio remote control apparatus. Radio navigational aid apparatus refers to equipment that determines position, direction, or distance by receiving radio waves, including aeronautical, maritime, and land navigation systems. This heading is distinct from the radio communication equipment of 8525 (such as walkie-talkies and base stations), and also distinct from the broadcast receiving equipment of 8527. The core function of navigational aid apparatus is positioning rather than communication or broadcasting. First 2 digits 85: Chapter 85, electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof. Digits 3-4, 26: Heading 8526, radar, radio navigational, and remote control apparatus. Digits 5-6, 91: Subheading 852691, specifically referring to radio navigational aid apparatus. This subheading is not further subdivided and covers all types of radio navigational aid apparatus, such as GPS receivers, VOR, DME, radar altimeters, etc. Note the distinction from 852692 (radio remote control apparatus), which is used for remote control rather than navigation. This commodity is classified under 852691 rather than 852692 because its primary function is navigation and positioning, not remote control. The difference from the radio communication equipment of 8525 is that navigational aid apparatus does not transmit voice or data communications, but instead receives signals to calculate position. The difference from the broadcast receivers of 8527 is that navigational aid apparatus does not receive public broadcasts, but rather dedicated navigation signals. Therefore, 852691 accurately covers radio navigational aid apparatus.
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 is one of the most technology-intensive chapters in the HS classification, covering a wide range of goods from household appliances to industrial electronic equipment. Within the chapter, goods are divided by function into multiple headings, such as 8525 to 8528 covering communication, recording, and video equipment, and 8526 specifically covering radar, radio navigational, and remote control equipment.
Heading
Heading 8526 covers radar apparatus, radio navigational aid apparatus, and radio remote control apparatus. Radio navigational aid apparatus refers to equipment that determines position, direction, or distance by receiving radio waves, including aeronautical, maritime, and land navigation systems. This heading is distinct from the radio communication equipment of 8525 (such as walkie-talkies and base stations), and also distinct from the broadcast receiving equipment of 8527. The core function of navigational aid apparatus is positioning rather than communication or broadcasting.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 85: Chapter 85, electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof. Digits 3-4, 26: Heading 8526, radar, radio navigational, and remote control apparatus. Digits 5-6, 91: Subheading 852691, specifically referring to radio navigational aid apparatus. This subheading is not further subdivided and covers all types of radio navigational aid apparatus, such as GPS receivers, VOR, DME, radar altimeters, etc. Note the distinction from 852692 (radio remote control apparatus), which is used for remote control rather than navigation.
Classification Basis
This commodity is classified under 852691 rather than 852692 because its primary function is navigation and positioning, not remote control. The difference from the radio communication equipment of 8525 is that navigational aid apparatus does not transmit voice or data communications, but instead receives signals to calculate position. The difference from the broadcast receivers of 8527 is that navigational aid apparatus does not receive public broadcasts, but rather dedicated navigation signals. Therefore, 852691 accurately covers radio navigational aid apparatus.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as GPS navigator, VOR receiver, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods. Brand: Fill in the manufacturer or brand name, such as Garmin, Trimble, etc. If there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'. Model: Fill in the specific model, such as GPSMAP 66i, used to distinguish different specifications of the same brand. Use: Explain the usage scenario of the equipment, such as aeronautical navigation, maritime navigation, vehicle navigation, etc. Working Principle: Briefly describe how the equipment achieves navigation, such as receiving GPS satellite signals to calculate position. Whether it has receiving function: Confirm whether the equipment includes a radio receiving module; navigational aid apparatus usually does. Whether it is a composite equipment: If it also has communication functions, this must be noted, as it may affect classification. Product Name: GPS navigator; Brand: Garmin; Model: GPSMAP 66i; Use: outdoor hiking navigation; Working Principle: receives GPS satellite signals, calculates latitude and longitude, and displays maps; Whether it has receiving function: yes; Whether it is a composite equipment: no. Mistakenly declaring navigational aid apparatus as communication equipment, leading to classification under 8525. Ignoring brand and model, affecting customs valuation and classification. Failing to distinguish navigation from remote control functions, mistakenly classifying under 852692. The use description is not specific, such as only writing 'positioning', without reflecting navigation. Composite equipment does not declare communication functions, and may be determined as multifunctional equipment.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as GPS navigator, VOR receiver, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Writing vaguely 'navigation equipment' without specifying the type, or mistakenly writing it as 'communication equipment'.
Brand
Fill in the manufacturer or brand name, such as Garmin, Trimble, etc. If there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'.
⚠️ Confusing brand with model, or omitting the brand, leading to classification disputes.
Model
Fill in the specific model, such as GPSMAP 66i, used to distinguish different specifications of the same brand.
⚠️ Incomplete or incorrect model entry, affecting customs valuation and classification.
Use
Explain the usage scenario of the equipment, such as aeronautical navigation, maritime navigation, vehicle navigation, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as 'for positioning', without reflecting navigation characteristics.
Working Principle
Briefly describe how the equipment achieves navigation, such as receiving GPS satellite signals to calculate position.
⚠️ Mistakenly describing the navigation principle as a communication principle, leading to classification errors.
Whether it has receiving function
Confirm whether the equipment includes a radio receiving module; navigational aid apparatus usually does.
⚠️ Ignoring the receiving function, mistakenly classifying under other headings.
Whether it is a composite equipment
If it also has communication functions, this must be noted, as it may affect classification.
⚠️ Failing to declare composite functions, leading to omission or classification disputes.
Example： Product Name: GPS navigator; Brand: Garmin; Model: GPSMAP 66i; Use: outdoor hiking navigation; Working Principle: receives GPS satellite signals, calculates latitude and longitude, and displays maps; Whether it has receiving function: yes; Whether it is a composite equipment: no.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly declaring navigational aid apparatus as communication equipment, leading to classification under 8525.
Ignoring brand and model, affecting customs valuation and classification.
Failing to distinguish navigation from remote control functions, mistakenly classifying under 852692.
The use description is not specific, such as only writing 'positioning', without reflecting navigation.
Composite equipment does not declare communication functions, and may be determined as multifunctional equipment.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is whether the primary function of the equipment is radio navigation. According to HS notes, radio navigational aid apparatus refers to equipment that determines position, direction, or distance by receiving radio waves. It is necessary to examine whether the equipment relies on radio navigation signals (such as GPS, GLONASS, VOR, etc.), rather than merely receiving broadcasts or communications. If the equipment also has communication functions, classify according to the primary function. 852692 Radio remote control apparatus: Remote control apparatus is used for remote control, such as drone controllers, and does not provide navigation and positioning functions. 852560 Radio communication equipment: Communication equipment is used for voice or data transmission, such as walkie-talkies, and does not involve navigation calculations. 852721 Vehicle broadcast receiver: Broadcast receivers only receive public broadcasts and have no navigation function. 901410 Directional compass: A compass uses magnetism for direction finding and does not rely on radio waves; it belongs to optical or mechanical instruments. 852610 Radar apparatus: Radar detects targets by transmitting and receiving radio waves, while navigational aid apparatus only receives signals for positioning. Does the equipment rely on radio navigation signals? Is the primary function positioning rather than communication? Does it include a radio receiving module? Is it confused with remote control apparatus? Are the brand and model fully declared?
Basis
The core basis for classification is whether the primary function of the equipment is radio navigation. According to HS notes, radio navigational aid apparatus refers to equipment that determines position, direction, or distance by receiving radio waves. It is necessary to examine whether the equipment relies on radio navigation signals (such as GPS, GLONASS, VOR, etc.), rather than merely receiving broadcasts or communications. If the equipment also has communication functions, classify according to the primary function.
Confused Codes：
852692 - Radio remote control apparatus
Remote control apparatus is used for remote control, such as drone controllers, and does not provide navigation and positioning functions.
852560 - Radio communication equipment
Communication equipment is used for voice or data transmission, such as walkie-talkies, and does not involve navigation calculations.
852721 - Vehicle broadcast receiver
Broadcast receivers only receive public broadcasts and have no navigation function.
901410 - Directional compass
A compass uses magnetism for direction finding and does not rely on radio waves; it belongs to optical or mechanical instruments.
852610 - Radar apparatus
Radar detects targets by transmitting and receiving radio waves, while navigational aid apparatus only receives signals for positioning.
Self-Check：
✓ Does the equipment rely on radio navigation signals?
✓ Is the primary function positioning rather than communication?
✓ Does it include a radio receiving module?
✓ Is it confused with remote control apparatus?
✓ Are the brand and model fully declared?
❓ FAQ
Which HS code should a GPS navigator be classified under? A GPS navigator is classified under 852691 because it achieves navigation and positioning by receiving GPS satellite signals, which conforms to the definition of radio navigational aid apparatus. Note that it should not be classified under 8525 communication equipment or 8527 broadcast receivers. Are the codes for vehicle navigation and vehicle radio the same? No. Vehicle navigation is classified under 852691, and vehicle radio is classified under 852721. If it is a composite equipment, it must be classified according to the primary function; usually if navigation is the primary function, it is classified under 852691. Is a drone controller classified under 852691? No. A drone controller belongs to radio remote control apparatus and should be classified under 852692. Navigational aid apparatus must have positioning functions, while a controller is only used for control. How do you distinguish radio navigational aid apparatus from radar apparatus? Radar apparatus (852610) actively transmits radio waves and receives echoes to detect targets; navigational aid apparatus (852691) only receives external navigation signals (such as GPS) for positioning and does not actively transmit. Must brand and model be provided when declaring? Yes, brand and model are important bases for classification and valuation. If there is no brand, declare 'no brand', and the model should be accurately filled in, avoiding vague descriptions. How should composite equipment (navigation + communication) be classified? Classify according to the primary function. If navigation is the primary function, classify under 852691; if communication is the primary function, classify under 8525. A functional description must be provided, and customs may require testing if necessary. What certifications are required for importing radio navigational aid apparatus? Usually radio type approval (SRRC) and CCC certification (if applicable) are required. The specific requirements are subject to customs and market regulatory authorities; it is recommended to consult in advance. What is the export tax rebate rate for 852691? The rebate rate will be adjusted with policy changes. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database or consult the tax authorities. Generally speaking, high-tech products have higher rebate rates, but the official publication shall prevail.
Q: Which HS code should a GPS navigator be classified under?
A: A GPS navigator is classified under 852691 because it achieves navigation and positioning by receiving GPS satellite signals, which conforms to the definition of radio navigational aid apparatus. Note that it should not be classified under 8525 communication equipment or 8527 broadcast receivers.
Q: Are the codes for vehicle navigation and vehicle radio the same?
A: No. Vehicle navigation is classified under 852691, and vehicle radio is classified under 852721. If it is a composite equipment, it must be classified according to the primary function; usually if navigation is the primary function, it is classified under 852691.
Q: Is a drone controller classified under 852691?
A: No. A drone controller belongs to radio remote control apparatus and should be classified under 852692. Navigational aid apparatus must have positioning functions, while a controller is only used for control.
Q: How do you distinguish radio navigational aid apparatus from radar apparatus?
A: Radar apparatus (852610) actively transmits radio waves and receives echoes to detect targets; navigational aid apparatus (852691) only receives external navigation signals (such as GPS) for positioning and does not actively transmit.
Q: Must brand and model be provided when declaring?
A: Yes, brand and model are important bases for classification and valuation. If there is no brand, declare 'no brand', and the model should be accurately filled in, avoiding vague descriptions.
Q: How should composite equipment (navigation + communication) be classified?
A: Classify according to the primary function. If navigation is the primary function, classify under 852691; if communication is the primary function, classify under 8525. A functional description must be provided, and customs may require testing if necessary.
Q: What certifications are required for importing radio navigational aid apparatus?
A: Usually radio type approval (SRRC) and CCC certification (if applicable) are required. The specific requirements are subject to customs and market regulatory authorities; it is recommended to consult in advance.
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for 852691?
A: The rebate rate will be adjusted with policy changes. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database or consult the tax authorities. Generally speaking, high-tech products have higher rebate rates, but the official publication shall prevail.
⚠️ 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.