HS Code: 871415
Motorcycle chain.
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📋 Code Structure

Chapter
Chapter 87 covers vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof, including motor vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, invalid carriages, etc. This chapter includes not only complete vehicles but also parts and accessories specially designed or principally designed for these vehicles. However, it should be noted that not all parts are classified in this chapter; some parts may be classified in other chapters according to material or function.
Heading
Heading 8714 covers parts and accessories specially designed or principally designed for vehicles of headings 8711 to 8713, including motorcycles, bicycles, wheelchairs, etc. Parts under this heading must meet the condition of being 'specially designed or principally designed'; if a part is of a general-purpose nature, it may be classified under other headings.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 87 indicate Chapter 87 (Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof); digits 3-4, 14, indicate heading 8714 (Parts and accessories specially designed or principally designed for vehicles of headings 8711 to 8713); digits 5-6, 15, indicate subheading 8714.15, specifically motorcycle chains. Note: Subheading 8714.15 covers only motorcycle chains, while bicycle chains are classified under 8714.96, and chains for other vehicles must be determined according to vehicle type.
Classification Basis
The product is a motorcycle chain, which is a part specially designed for motorcycles, and motorcycles are classified under heading 8711, so its parts should be classified under 8714. A chain is a transmission component of a motorcycle, specially designed for motorcycles, and is therefore classified under 8714.15 rather than other headings such as 7315 (iron or steel chain) or 8483 (transmission shafts, etc.), because those headings cover general-purpose chains or transmission devices, whereas 8714.15 is for motorcycle-specific chains.

📝 Declaration Elements

Product Name
Fill in the standard name of the commodity, which should be detailed and specific, such as 'motorcycle chain', and avoid general entries such as 'chain' or 'motorcycle parts'.
⚠️ Only filling in 'chain' or 'motorcycle accessories', without specifying the purpose and vehicle type.
Brand
Fill in the brand or manufacturer name of the chain, such as 'DID', 'RK', 'Zhenghe', etc. If there is no brand, indicate 'no brand'.
⚠️ Confusing trademark with brand, or filling in incomplete information.
Model
Fill in the specific model or specification of the chain, such as '520', '530', etc., or fill in according to the manufacturer's number.
⚠️ Model information is incomplete or inconsistent with the actual product.
Material
Fill in the main material of the chain, such as 'alloy steel', 'stainless steel', etc., and specify the main components.
⚠️ Only filling in 'metal' or 'steel', without specifying the specific material.
Use
Clearly fill in 'for motorcycle transmission', and indicate the applicable motorcycle type (such as standard motorcycle, scooter, etc.).
⚠️ Filling in 'for transmission' without indicating motorcycle, or mistakenly filling in other vehicles.
Specifications and Dimensions
Fill in the chain pitch, number of links, length, and other parameters, such as 'pitch 12.7mm, 120 links'.
⚠️ Only filling in length, without providing key parameters such as pitch.
With or Without Accessories
Indicate whether the chain comes with connecting links, oil seals, or other accessories, such as 'with oil seals', 'without accessories'.
⚠️ Ignoring accessory information, leading to classification or documentary review issues.
Origin
Fill in the country or region of production of the chain, such as 'China', 'Japan', etc.
⚠️ Filling in the trading country instead of the country of origin, or vaguely filling in 'Asia'.
Example:
Product Name: Motorcycle chain; Brand: DID; Model: 520VX2; Material: Alloy steel; Use: For motorcycle transmission, suitable for standard motorcycles; Specifications and Dimensions: Pitch 15.875mm, 120 links; With or Without Accessories: With oil seals; Origin: Japan.
Common Mistakes:

🎯 Classification Logic

Basis
The core basis for classification is whether the commodity is specially designed or principally designed for motorcycles (heading 8711). A motorcycle chain is a transmission component of a motorcycle and is specific in nature and cannot be used for other vehicles or general machinery. Therefore, according to General Rules of Interpretation 1 and 6, it should be classified under heading 8714, and then under subheading 8714.15 according to the subheading text. Note that if the chain is a general-purpose chain, it may be classified under 7315 or 8483.
Confused Codes:
8714.96 - Bicycle chains
Bicycle chains are specially designed for bicycles (heading 8712), while motorcycle chains are specially designed for motorcycles (heading 8711). The two differ in size, strength, and design and cannot be used interchangeably.
7315.11 - Roller chain of iron or steel
7315 covers general-purpose iron or steel chains without distinguishing use, while 8714.15 is for motorcycle-specific chains. If the chain is not clearly specially designed for motorcycles, it may be classified under 7315.
8483.90 - Transmission shafts and cranks, etc.
8483 covers general-purpose transmission devices, such as transmission shafts, gears, etc., while motorcycle chains are specially designed parts, and the chain itself is not a transmission shaft.
8714.19 - Other motorcycle parts
8714.19 is for other motorcycle parts, while chains have a specific subheading 8714.15 and should be classified preferentially under the specific named subheading.
8714.10 - Motorcycle saddles
Saddles are motorcycle seating and have a completely different function from chains, but they also belong to motorcycle parts and must be distinguished according to the specific subheading.
Self-Check:

❓ FAQ

Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for motorcycle chains and bicycle chains?
A: Motorcycle chains are classified under 8714.15, and bicycle chains under 8714.96. Although both are chains, they are specially designed for different vehicles, and classification must be determined according to vehicle type. If a chain can be used for multiple vehicles, it may be classified under the general-purpose chain code 7315.
Q: How can one determine whether a motorcycle chain is specific or general-purpose?
A: Specific chains are usually designed according to motorcycle engine displacement and transmission system, with specific pitch, number of links, and strength, and the packaging or instructions indicate they are suitable for motorcycles. General-purpose chains have no specific vehicle designation and can be used for various machines.
Q: What key elements must be provided when declaring motorcycle chains?
A: Product name, brand, model, material, use, specifications and dimensions, with or without accessories, and origin must be provided. The use must clearly state 'for motorcycle transmission', and the specifications and dimensions must include pitch and number of links.
Q: How can the tariff rate for motorcycle chains be checked?
A: You can visit the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use a customs tariff query tool, enter HS code 8714.15, and check the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Rates may change, and the latest tariff schedule should be used as the basis.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for importing motorcycle chains?
A: Generally, there are no special regulatory conditions for importing motorcycle chains, but do they need to comply with China Compulsory Certification (CCC) requirements? Currently, motorcycle chains are not within the scope of CCC, but attention should be paid to whether anti-dumping, countervailing, or other trade measures are involved.
Q: How should an HS code be selected for cross-border e-commerce sales of motorcycle chains?
A: For cross-border e-commerce sales of motorcycle chains, they should be classified under 8714.15 according to actual use. If they are general-purpose chains, they should be classified under 7315. Accurate declaration is required to avoid customs clearance delays or penalties due to classification errors.
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for motorcycle chains?
A: The export tax rebate rate is adjusted according to national policy. Currently, the export tax rebate rate for motorcycle chains (8714.15) must be checked in the latest export tax rebate rate database. It is usually consistent with the rebate rate for motorcycle parts, but the tax authority's announcement shall prevail.
Q: If a motorcycle chain has oil seals, does the classification change?
A: Motorcycle chains with oil seals are still classified under 8714.15. Oil seals are accessories of the chain and do not change the essential character of the chain. However, 'with oil seals' must be stated at declaration for customs inspection.
⚠️ 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.