Chapter 87 covers motor vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof. It includes tractors, passenger vehicles, goods vehicles, special purpose vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, wheelchairs, etc., as well as their dedicated parts. This chapter does not include certain general-purpose parts (such as bearings and gears when presented separately, which are classified in Chapter 84), nor does it include electric motors for electric vehicles (classified in Chapter 85). Heading 8708 specifically refers to parts and accessories of motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705, including brakes, gearboxes, drive axles, wheels, suspension systems, radiators, silencers, clutches, steering systems, etc. However, it applies only to parts solely or principally used for the aforesaid vehicles; general-purpose parts must be classified in other chapters according to material or function. First 2 digits 87: indicates Chapter 87, motor vehicles and parts thereof. Digits 3-4, 08: indicates heading 8708, parts and accessories of motor vehicles. Digits 5-6, 41: indicates subheading 8708.41, namely gearboxes and parts thereof. Therefore 870841 specifically refers to gearbox housings, which are dedicated parts of gearboxes. Note: complete gearbox assemblies are classified under 8708.40, while housings as parts are classified under 8708.41. Gearbox housings are parts dedicated to motor vehicle gearboxes and meet the description of heading 8708. They are not classified as complete gearbox assemblies (8708.40), because assemblies contain complete transmission mechanisms; nor are they other general-purpose parts (such as bearing housings of 8483). According to General Rules of Interpretation 1 and 6, they are classified under 8708.41 based on their dedicated nature.
Chapter
Chapter 87 covers motor vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof. It includes tractors, passenger vehicles, goods vehicles, special purpose vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, wheelchairs, etc., as well as their dedicated parts. This chapter does not include certain general-purpose parts (such as bearings and gears when presented separately, which are classified in Chapter 84), nor does it include electric motors for electric vehicles (classified in Chapter 85).
Heading
Heading 8708 specifically refers to parts and accessories of motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705, including brakes, gearboxes, drive axles, wheels, suspension systems, radiators, silencers, clutches, steering systems, etc. However, it applies only to parts solely or principally used for the aforesaid vehicles; general-purpose parts must be classified in other chapters according to material or function.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 87: indicates Chapter 87, motor vehicles and parts thereof. Digits 3-4, 08: indicates heading 8708, parts and accessories of motor vehicles. Digits 5-6, 41: indicates subheading 8708.41, namely gearboxes and parts thereof. Therefore 870841 specifically refers to gearbox housings, which are dedicated parts of gearboxes. Note: complete gearbox assemblies are classified under 8708.40, while housings as parts are classified under 8708.41.
Classification Basis
Gearbox housings are parts dedicated to motor vehicle gearboxes and meet the description of heading 8708. They are not classified as complete gearbox assemblies (8708.40), because assemblies contain complete transmission mechanisms; nor are they other general-purpose parts (such as bearing housings of 8483). According to General Rules of Interpretation 1 and 6, they are classified under 8708.41 based on their dedicated nature.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the standard name of the commodity, such as "gearbox housing" or "automatic transmission housing." Brand: Fill in the manufacturer or brand name, such as "Aisin" or "ZF." Model: Fill in the specific model or part number, such as "U660E" or "6HP26." Applicable Vehicle Model: Fill in the vehicle type and displacement for which the housing is suitable, such as "Toyota Camry 2.5L." Material: Fill in the main material, such as aluminum alloy or cast iron. Whether It Constitutes a Complete Machine: Declare whether it is a part or an assembly, such as "gearbox housing (part)." Use: Fill in the specific use, such as "housing for automatic transmission." Product Name: Automatic Transmission Housing; Brand: Aisin; Model: U660E; Applicable Vehicle Model: Toyota Camry 2.5L; Material: Aluminum Alloy; Whether It Constitutes a Complete Machine: Part; Use: Housing for Automatic Transmission. Mistakenly classifying gearbox housings under 8708.40 (gearbox assemblies), resulting in differences in tax rates and regulatory conditions. Ignoring material declaration, which may affect classification (e.g., cast iron housings and aluminum alloy housings are classified the same, but material affects customs valuation). Incorrect or missing model information, causing customs to question commodity consistency.
Product Name
Fill in the standard name of the commodity, such as "gearbox housing" or "automatic transmission housing."
⚠️ Mistakenly written as "gearbox" or "gear box," leading to incorrect classification.
Brand
Fill in the manufacturer or brand name, such as "Aisin" or "ZF."
⚠️ Confusing brand with trademark, or providing incomplete information.
Model
Fill in the specific model or part number, such as "U660E" or "6HP26."
⚠️ Missing model or model inconsistent with the applicable vehicle model.
Applicable Vehicle Model
Fill in the vehicle type and displacement for which the housing is suitable, such as "Toyota Camry 2.5L."
⚠️ Only writing "passenger car," which is too general.
Material
Fill in the main material, such as aluminum alloy or cast iron.
⚠️ Mistakenly written as "metal," without specifying the specific material.
Whether It Constitutes a Complete Machine
Declare whether it is a part or an assembly, such as "gearbox housing (part)."
⚠️ Declaring the housing as a complete gearbox assembly, leading to incorrect classification.
Use
Fill in the specific use, such as "housing for automatic transmission."
⚠️ Vague description of use, such as "for automobiles."
Example： Product Name: Automatic Transmission Housing; Brand: Aisin; Model: U660E; Applicable Vehicle Model: Toyota Camry 2.5L; Material: Aluminum Alloy; Whether It Constitutes a Complete Machine: Part; Use: Housing for Automatic Transmission.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying gearbox housings under 8708.40 (gearbox assemblies), resulting in differences in tax rates and regulatory conditions.
Ignoring material declaration, which may affect classification (e.g., cast iron housings and aluminum alloy housings are classified the same, but material affects customs valuation).
Incorrect or missing model information, causing customs to question commodity consistency.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: The commodity must be solely or principally used for motor vehicles of headings 8701-8705 and be a dedicated part of a gearbox. As a component of a gearbox, the gearbox housing does not have an independent function and is therefore classified under 8708.41. If the housing can be used generally for other machinery, it may be classified in Chapter 84. 870840 Gearbox Assembly: 870840 is a complete gearbox, including gears, shafts, etc.; 870841 is only a housing, which is a part. 848340 Gears and Transmission Devices: 848340 is a general-purpose transmission device not dedicated to motor vehicles; 870841 is dedicated to vehicle gearboxes. 732510 Cast Iron Articles: If the housing is made of cast iron and not specified as dedicated to vehicles, it may be classified under 7325; however, dedicated vehicle parts are still classified under 8708. 761699 Aluminum Articles: Aluminum housings, if general-purpose, are classified under 7616, but if dedicated to vehicles, they are still classified under 8708. Is it solely or principally used for motor vehicles? Is it a dedicated part of a gearbox? Is it distinguished from a gearbox assembly? Does the material affect classification? Have the brand, model, and applicable vehicle model been provided?
Basis
Core basis for classification: The commodity must be solely or principally used for motor vehicles of headings 8701-8705 and be a dedicated part of a gearbox. As a component of a gearbox, the gearbox housing does not have an independent function and is therefore classified under 8708.41. If the housing can be used generally for other machinery, it may be classified in Chapter 84.
Confused Codes：
870840 - Gearbox Assembly
870840 is a complete gearbox, including gears, shafts, etc.; 870841 is only a housing, which is a part.
848340 - Gears and Transmission Devices
848340 is a general-purpose transmission device not dedicated to motor vehicles; 870841 is dedicated to vehicle gearboxes.
732510 - Cast Iron Articles
If the housing is made of cast iron and not specified as dedicated to vehicles, it may be classified under 7325; however, dedicated vehicle parts are still classified under 8708.
761699 - Aluminum Articles
Aluminum housings, if general-purpose, are classified under 7616, but if dedicated to vehicles, they are still classified under 8708.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it solely or principally used for motor vehicles?
✓ Is it a dedicated part of a gearbox?
✓ Is it distinguished from a gearbox assembly?
✓ Does the material affect classification?
✓ Have the brand, model, and applicable vehicle model been provided?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between gearbox housings and gearbox assemblies? Gearbox assemblies are classified under 8708.40, while gearbox housings as parts are classified under 8708.41. Assemblies contain complete transmission mechanisms, while housings are only outer shells and must be declared according to their actual state. How can one determine whether a gearbox housing is a dedicated part or a general-purpose part? Dedicated parts refer to those used solely or principally for motor vehicle gearboxes, usually with specific models and applicable vehicle models; general-purpose parts can be used for other machinery and must be classified in other chapters according to material or function. What declaration elements must be provided when declaring gearbox housings? Product name, brand, model, applicable vehicle model, material, whether it constitutes a complete machine, and use, etc., must be provided. Specific requirements are subject to customs requirements; it is recommended to refer to the Customs Administration's Catalog of Specifications for the Declaration of Import and Export Commodities of the People's Republic of China. Is there any difference in classification between aluminum alloy gearbox housings and cast iron housings? There is no difference in classification; both are classified under 8708.41, but material affects customs valuation and rules of origin and must be declared truthfully. If a gearbox housing is used for non-motor vehicles, which code should it be classified under? If used for non-motor vehicles (such as construction machinery), it may be classified under Chapter 84 or according to material, depending on the specific use and function. How can the tax rate for HS code 870841 be checked? Tax rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. Does a gearbox housing require CCC certification when imported? CCC certification applies to complete vehicles and some parts. Gearbox housings generally do not require it, but it is necessary to confirm whether they are within the Catalog of Compulsory Product Certification. For cross-border e-commerce sales of gearbox housings, how should the HS code be selected? 870841 should be selected according to the actual commodity attributes, and declaration elements should be complete. If it is an assembly, select 870840 to avoid customs clearance problems caused by incorrect classification.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between gearbox housings and gearbox assemblies?
A: Gearbox assemblies are classified under 8708.40, while gearbox housings as parts are classified under 8708.41. Assemblies contain complete transmission mechanisms, while housings are only outer shells and must be declared according to their actual state.
Q: How can one determine whether a gearbox housing is a dedicated part or a general-purpose part?
A: Dedicated parts refer to those used solely or principally for motor vehicle gearboxes, usually with specific models and applicable vehicle models; general-purpose parts can be used for other machinery and must be classified in other chapters according to material or function.
Q: What declaration elements must be provided when declaring gearbox housings?
A: Product name, brand, model, applicable vehicle model, material, whether it constitutes a complete machine, and use, etc., must be provided. Specific requirements are subject to customs requirements; it is recommended to refer to the Customs Administration's Catalog of Specifications for the Declaration of Import and Export Commodities of the People's Republic of China.
Q: Is there any difference in classification between aluminum alloy gearbox housings and cast iron housings?
A: There is no difference in classification; both are classified under 8708.41, but material affects customs valuation and rules of origin and must be declared truthfully.
Q: If a gearbox housing is used for non-motor vehicles, which code should it be classified under?
A: If used for non-motor vehicles (such as construction machinery), it may be classified under Chapter 84 or according to material, depending on the specific use and function.
Q: How can the tax rate for HS code 870841 be checked?
A: Tax rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker.
Q: Does a gearbox housing require CCC certification when imported?
A: CCC certification applies to complete vehicles and some parts. Gearbox housings generally do not require it, but it is necessary to confirm whether they are within the Catalog of Compulsory Product Certification.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of gearbox housings, how should the HS code be selected?
A: 870841 should be selected according to the actual commodity attributes, and declaration elements should be complete. If it is an assembly, select 870840 to avoid customs clearance problems caused by incorrect classification.
⚠️ 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.