Chapter 85 covers electric motors, electrical equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories thereof. This chapter is the most concentrated chapter for electromechanical products in the HS classification, covering a wide range of fields including power generation, power transformation, power consumption, communications, and consumer electronics. Carbon brushes, as sliding contact components used in motors to conduct current, are dedicated parts of electrical equipment and are therefore classified in this chapter. Heading 8545 covers carbon articles, including carbon electrodes, carbon brushes, lamp carbons, battery carbons and similar carbon articles for electrical use, whether or not with metal. This heading specifically targets carbon articles for electrical use, distinguishing them from carbon materials in other chapters (such as graphite articles classified under 6815 or 3801). Carbon brushes, as sliding contact components used in motors and generators to conduct current, are one of the typical commodities of heading 8545. Code 854520 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits 85 represent Chapter 85 (electric motors, electrical equipment and parts thereof). Digits 3-4, 45, represent heading 8545 (carbon articles, for electrical use). Digits 5-6, 20, represent subheading 8545.20, specifically carbon brushes. In the HS classification, under 8545 there are also 8545.11 (carbon electrodes for furnaces), 8545.19 (other carbon electrodes), and 8545.90 (other carbon articles). 8545.20 specifically refers to carbon brushes, i.e., carbon or graphite articles used in motors, generators and other electrical equipment to conduct current through sliding contact, usually with metal leads or terminals. Carbon brushes are sliding contact components used in electrical equipment to conduct current, mainly made of carbon or graphite, and are carbon articles for electrical use. Therefore they are classified under 8545.20, rather than 8545.90 (other carbon articles) or 8544 (insulated wires and cables). The difference from 8545.90 is that 8545.20 specifically refers to carbon brushes, which have a clear electrical conduction function and specific shapes (block, cylindrical, etc.), while 8545.90 covers other carbon articles for electrical use not elsewhere specified, such as carbon rods, carbon tubes, etc.

Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the commodity's attributes, such as "carbon brush" or "motor carbon brush". Material: Explain the main components of the carbon brush, such as graphite, carbon, metal-graphite mixture, etc., and whether metal additives are contained. Use: Indicate the equipment to which the carbon brush applies, such as "for automotive starter motors", "for industrial generators", etc. Brand: Declare the brand name (if no brand, fill in "no brand"), which helps customs identify the source of the commodity. Model: Fill in the model or specifications of the carbon brush, such as dimensions, shape, etc., for customs verification. Whether with metal leads: Indicate whether the carbon brush has metal leads, terminals and other accessories, which affects classification and declaration elements. Appearance: Describe the shape (such as block, cylindrical) and color and other appearance features of the carbon brush. Product Name: Carbon brush; Material: Graphite (containing 5% copper powder); Use: For automotive starter motors; Brand: Bosch; Model: BOSCH 112233; Whether with metal leads: With copper leads; Appearance: Black block shape, dimensions 20x10x5mm. Mistakenly classifying carbon brushes under 8545.90 (other carbon articles), ignoring their specificity. Material declaration is unclear, without distinguishing whether metal is contained, which may affect classification. Use description is too broad, without specifying the equipment type, leading to customs questioning.

The core basis for classifying carbon brushes under 8545.20 is that they are carbon articles for electrical use and are specifically used in motors, generators and other equipment to conduct current. According to HS notes, 8545.20 covers carbon brushes, including sliding contact components made of carbon or graphite for electrical equipment, whether or not with metal. Classification should focus on: 1) whether the commodity has carbon or graphite as its main component; 2) whether it is used for electrical conduction; 3) whether it has the typical characteristics of carbon brushes (such as block shape, with leads, etc.). If a carbon brush is combined with other materials into a complete motor part, it may be classified as a motor part, but a carbon brush declared separately is still classified under 8545.20. 854590 Other carbon articles: 8545.90 covers carbon articles for electrical use not elsewhere specified, such as carbon rods, carbon tubes, etc., while 8545.20 specifically refers to carbon brushes. If the commodity does not have the typical characteristics of carbon brushes (such as no leads, not for sliding contact use), it may be classified under 8545.90. 854430 Ignition wiring sets and other wiring sets: 8544.30 is used for wiring sets for vehicles, aircraft, etc., while carbon brushes are independent parts and do not constitute wiring sets. Carbon brushes usually have leads, but the leads only serve as connecting parts and do not change their classification. 850300 Motor parts: 8503 is for dedicated motor parts, but carbon brushes, as carbon articles for electrical use, are specifically named in 8545.20, so they are classified under 8545.20 with priority. If a carbon brush is combined with other motor parts into a complete motor, it is classified as a motor. 681510 Non-electrical carbon articles: 6815.10 covers non-electrical carbon articles, such as mechanical seals, etc. Carbon brushes are used for electrical conduction, so they are classified under 8545.20 rather than 6815.10. 380190 Other carbon: 3801.90 covers carbon (including carbon black, etc.), but it is a raw material, not made into specific shapes or unprocessed. Carbon brushes are processed finished products, so they are classified under 8545.20. Is the commodity mainly composed of carbon or graphite? Is it used in motors, generators and other electrical equipment to conduct current? Does it have the typical shape of a carbon brush (block, cylindrical, etc.)? Does it have metal leads or terminals? Is it declared separately, rather than as part of a complete motor?

The HS code for carbon brushes is 854520, but why do some customs declarations write 854590? 854590 is the code for other carbon articles. If the use, shape, etc. of the carbon brush do not meet the definition of 854520, or if customs considers it not a dedicated carbon brush, it may be classified under 854590. However, according to HS notes, carbon brushes are explicitly classified under 854520, so detailed information such as use and material should be provided during declaration to avoid misclassification. Does a carbon brush with metal leads affect classification? No. Carbon brushes covered by 854520 may have metal leads or terminals, as long as their main component is carbon or graphite and they are used for electrical conduction, they are still classified under 854520. The leads are a component of the carbon brush and do not change its classification. How to inquire about the import tariff rate for carbon brushes? Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreements, etc. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or a professional customs declaration system. Usually, you need to enter HS code 854520 and the country of origin, and the system will display the MFN rate, agreement rate, etc. What is the difference between carbon brushes and graphite brushes? Graphite brushes are a type of carbon brush, usually referring to carbon brushes mainly composed of graphite. In HS classification, both are classified under 854520. However, if a graphite brush is used for non-electrical purposes, it may be classified under other codes. The use and material should be clearly stated during declaration. If a carbon brush is part of a motor, can it be classified as a complete motor? If a carbon brush is combined with other motor parts into a complete motor, it is classified as a complete motor. However, if the carbon brush is imported separately or as a spare part, it is still classified under 854520. Classification should be determined based on the commodity's state as presented. In the declaration elements for carbon brushes, how should the material be filled in? The main components should be filled in, such as "graphite", "carbon", "metal-graphite", etc., and indicate whether metal additives are contained. For example, "graphite (containing 5% copper powder)". Avoid writing only "carbonaceous" to prevent classification disputes. Do carbon brush exports require commodity inspection? Carbon brushes are generally not subject to statutory commodity inspection, but it depends on the requirements of the exporting country and the destination country. It is recommended to check the statutory inspection catalog published by customs or consult the local customs. If used for specific equipment (such as automobiles), relevant certifications may be required. For which equipment can carbon brushes under HS code 854520 be used? Carbon brushes are widely used in motors, generators, electric motors, automotive starter motors, household appliance motors, etc. As long as they are used to conduct current, they can be classified under 854520. The equipment type should be specifically stated during declaration so that customs can confirm.