Chapter 87 covers vehicles and their parts and accessories, other than railway or tramway rolling stock. It includes motor vehicles, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles, wheelchairs, etc., and their dedicated parts. Goods of this chapter must be dedicated to vehicles; if they are general-purpose parts, they are classified according to their material. Motorcycles and their parts are mainly classified under 8711 and 8714. Heading 8714 covers parts and accessories of non-motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles, including frames, forks, hubs, brakes, gearboxes, clutches, steering devices, saddles, pedals, cranks, chain wheels, spokes, rims, etc. However, electrical connectors and terminals, if dedicated to motorcycles, are still classified under this heading rather than 8544. The first 2 digits 87 represent Chapter 87, vehicles and parts; digits 3-4, 14, represent heading 8714, namely parts and accessories of non-motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles; digits 5-6, 72, are the subheading, specifically 8714.72, referring to connectors and terminals for motorcycles. This subheading is newly added in the 2022 version of the HS, specifically for motorcycle electrical connectors, reflecting the subdivision of the trend toward motorcycle electrification. The goods are connectors and terminals dedicated to motorcycles, falling within the scope of motorcycle parts, and are not more specifically named in other headings. Although 8544 covers electrical connectors, it usually refers to general-purpose wires, cables, and connectors, while 8714.72 explicitly covers motorcycle-specific ones, so 8714.72 is preferred.
Chapter
Chapter 87 covers vehicles and their parts and accessories, other than railway or tramway rolling stock. It includes motor vehicles, tractors, motorcycles, bicycles, wheelchairs, etc., and their dedicated parts. Goods of this chapter must be dedicated to vehicles; if they are general-purpose parts, they are classified according to their material. Motorcycles and their parts are mainly classified under 8711 and 8714.
Heading
Heading 8714 covers parts and accessories of non-motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles, including frames, forks, hubs, brakes, gearboxes, clutches, steering devices, saddles, pedals, cranks, chain wheels, spokes, rims, etc. However, electrical connectors and terminals, if dedicated to motorcycles, are still classified under this heading rather than 8544.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 87 represent Chapter 87, vehicles and parts; digits 3-4, 14, represent heading 8714, namely parts and accessories of non-motorized vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles; digits 5-6, 72, are the subheading, specifically 8714.72, referring to connectors and terminals for motorcycles. This subheading is newly added in the 2022 version of the HS, specifically for motorcycle electrical connectors, reflecting the subdivision of the trend toward motorcycle electrification.
Classification Basis
The goods are connectors and terminals dedicated to motorcycles, falling within the scope of motorcycle parts, and are not more specifically named in other headings. Although 8544 covers electrical connectors, it usually refers to general-purpose wires, cables, and connectors, while 8714.72 explicitly covers motorcycle-specific ones, so 8714.72 is preferred.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as "motorcycle connector" or "motorcycle terminal", which must be consistent with the actual goods. Use: Explain which system of the motorcycle the connector or terminal is used for, such as "motorcycle wiring harness connection", "ECU interface", etc. Material: The main material of the connector and terminal, such as copper alloy, plastic, tin-plated brass, etc., must be specific. Brand: The manufacturer or brand name, such as "Sumitomo", "Delphi", etc.; if there is no brand, fill in "none". Model: The product model or part number, used to identify the specific specification. Voltage: The rated voltage applicable to the connector or terminal, such as 12V, 24V, etc.; motorcycles are usually 12V. Whether it contains wires: Indicate whether the connector is pre-installed with wires; if it contains wires, note that it may be classified under 8544. Product name: motorcycle connector; Use: used for connecting the motorcycle wiring harness to the ECU; Material: plastic housing, copper alloy terminals; Brand: Sumitomo; Model: ST-1234; Voltage: 12V; Whether it contains wires: No. Failure to indicate "motorcycle-specific", resulting in mistaken classification under 8544. Connectors with wires not declared as containing wires, incorrectly classified under 8714.72. Material declaration is not specific, such as writing only "metal", affecting classification.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as "motorcycle connector" or "motorcycle terminal", which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring as "electrical connector" or "terminal" without indicating motorcycle-specific use.
Use
Explain which system of the motorcycle the connector or terminal is used for, such as "motorcycle wiring harness connection", "ECU interface", etc.
⚠️ Writing only "for motorcycle use", which is too general and does not specify the specific functional position.
Material
The main material of the connector and terminal, such as copper alloy, plastic, tin-plated brass, etc., must be specific.
⚠️ Writing only "metal" or "plastic" without distinguishing the main material.
Brand
The manufacturer or brand name, such as "Sumitomo", "Delphi", etc.; if there is no brand, fill in "none".
⚠️ Mistakenly reporting a trader's brand as the manufacturer's brand.
Model
The product model or part number, used to identify the specific specification.
⚠️ The model is incomplete or inconsistent with the actual goods.
Voltage
The rated voltage applicable to the connector or terminal, such as 12V, 24V, etc.; motorcycles are usually 12V.
⚠️ Failing to fill in the voltage or filling it in incorrectly, leading to classification disputes.
Whether it contains wires
Indicate whether the connector is pre-installed with wires; if it contains wires, note that it may be classified under 8544.
⚠️ Connectors with wires are incorrectly classified under 8714.72 when they should actually be classified under 8544.42.
Example： Product name: motorcycle connector; Use: used for connecting the motorcycle wiring harness to the ECU; Material: plastic housing, copper alloy terminals; Brand: Sumitomo; Model: ST-1234; Voltage: 12V; Whether it contains wires: No.
Common Mistakes：
Failure to indicate "motorcycle-specific", resulting in mistaken classification under 8544.
Connectors with wires not declared as containing wires, incorrectly classified under 8714.72.
Material declaration is not specific, such as writing only "metal", affecting classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1. Whether the goods are motorcycle-specific parts; 2. Whether they are electrical connectors; 3. Whether they contain wires. If motorcycle-specific and not containing wires, classify under 8714.72; if containing wires or being general-purpose parts, classify under 8544. Reference should also be made to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System for heading 8714. 8544.42 Electric conductors fitted with connectors: 8544.42 covers electric wires and cables fitted with connectors, while 8714.72 refers only to the connectors and terminals themselves, without wires. If the connector is pre-installed with wires, it should be classified under 8544.42. 8536.90 Other apparatus for switching, protecting or connecting electrical circuits: 8536.90 covers general-purpose electrical connecting apparatus, such as plugs and sockets, but not motorcycle-specific ones. If motorcycle-specific, 8714.72 is preferred. 8538.90 Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of 8535, 8536 or 8537: 8538.90 covers parts dedicated to apparatus of 8535-8537, such as switch parts. If a motorcycle connector is a standalone connector, it is not classified here. 8714.10 Motorcycle saddles: 8714.10 covers motorcycle saddles and is unrelated to connectors, but it belongs to the same heading 8714, so attention should be paid to subheading distinction. Is it clearly motorcycle-specific? Does it not contain wires? Is it a connector or terminal? Is it not more specifically named in other headings? Are the material and use clearly declared?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1. Whether the goods are motorcycle-specific parts; 2. Whether they are electrical connectors; 3. Whether they contain wires. If motorcycle-specific and not containing wires, classify under 8714.72; if containing wires or being general-purpose parts, classify under 8544. Reference should also be made to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System for heading 8714.
Confused Codes：
8544.42 - Electric conductors fitted with connectors
8544.42 covers electric wires and cables fitted with connectors, while 8714.72 refers only to the connectors and terminals themselves, without wires. If the connector is pre-installed with wires, it should be classified under 8544.42.
8536.90 - Other apparatus for switching, protecting or connecting electrical circuits
8536.90 covers general-purpose electrical connecting apparatus, such as plugs and sockets, but not motorcycle-specific ones. If motorcycle-specific, 8714.72 is preferred.
8538.90 - Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of 8535, 8536 or 8537
8538.90 covers parts dedicated to apparatus of 8535-8537, such as switch parts. If a motorcycle connector is a standalone connector, it is not classified here.
8714.10 - Motorcycle saddles
8714.10 covers motorcycle saddles and is unrelated to connectors, but it belongs to the same heading 8714, so attention should be paid to subheading distinction.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it clearly motorcycle-specific?
✓ Does it not contain wires?
✓ Is it a connector or terminal?
✓ Is it not more specifically named in other headings?
✓ Are the material and use clearly declared?
❓ FAQ
Why are motorcycle connectors and terminals classified under 8714.72 rather than 8544? 8714.72 is a subheading newly added in the 2022 version of the HS, specifically for motorcycle-specific connectors and terminals. 8544 covers general-purpose wires, cables, and connectors, but if the connector is motorcycle-specific and does not contain wires, it is classified as a dedicated part under 8714.72. How can it be determined whether a connector is motorcycle-specific? It mainly depends on design, model, and use. If the connector is only suitable for a motorcycle wiring harness system and cannot be used generally for other vehicles or equipment, it can be determined to be motorcycle-specific. Manufacturer technical data or industry standards may be referenced. How should motorcycle connectors with wires be classified? If the connector is pre-installed with wires, it constitutes electric wire fitted with a connector and should be classified under 8544.42. When classifying, attention should be paid to whether it contains wires to avoid incorrect classification under 8714.72. How should the "Use" column be filled in when declaring? It should specifically state the functional position of the connector on the motorcycle, such as "used for motorcycle ECU connection", "used for motorcycle lighting system", etc., and avoid filling in only "for motorcycle use". How can the tariff rate for 8714.72 be checked? Tariff rates change with national policies and trade agreements. It is recommended to obtain the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, a tariff inquiry system, or by consulting a customs broker. Note that different rules of origin may apply to different agreement rates. If a connector can be used for both motorcycles and automobiles, how should it be classified? If the connector is general-purpose, it is not motorcycle-specific and should be classified under other headings according to its material or function, such as 8536.90. Classification should be based on the actual designed use. What is the main difference between 8714.72 and 8536.90? 8714.72 specifically refers to motorcycle-specific connectors and terminals, while 8536.90 covers general-purpose electrical connecting apparatus. The key difference lies in specificity; if it is clearly motorcycle-specific, 8714.72 is preferred. What common errors in declaration lead to classification disputes? Common errors include failure to indicate motorcycle-specific use, failure to declare contained wires, vague material descriptions, and general use descriptions. It is recommended to provide detailed technical data to ensure the declared elements are complete and accurate.
Q: Why are motorcycle connectors and terminals classified under 8714.72 rather than 8544?
A: 8714.72 is a subheading newly added in the 2022 version of the HS, specifically for motorcycle-specific connectors and terminals. 8544 covers general-purpose wires, cables, and connectors, but if the connector is motorcycle-specific and does not contain wires, it is classified as a dedicated part under 8714.72.
Q: How can it be determined whether a connector is motorcycle-specific?
A: It mainly depends on design, model, and use. If the connector is only suitable for a motorcycle wiring harness system and cannot be used generally for other vehicles or equipment, it can be determined to be motorcycle-specific. Manufacturer technical data or industry standards may be referenced.
Q: How should motorcycle connectors with wires be classified?
A: If the connector is pre-installed with wires, it constitutes electric wire fitted with a connector and should be classified under 8544.42. When classifying, attention should be paid to whether it contains wires to avoid incorrect classification under 8714.72.
Q: How should the "Use" column be filled in when declaring?
A: It should specifically state the functional position of the connector on the motorcycle, such as "used for motorcycle ECU connection", "used for motorcycle lighting system", etc., and avoid filling in only "for motorcycle use".
Q: How can the tariff rate for 8714.72 be checked?
A: Tariff rates change with national policies and trade agreements. It is recommended to obtain the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, a tariff inquiry system, or by consulting a customs broker. Note that different rules of origin may apply to different agreement rates.
Q: If a connector can be used for both motorcycles and automobiles, how should it be classified?
A: If the connector is general-purpose, it is not motorcycle-specific and should be classified under other headings according to its material or function, such as 8536.90. Classification should be based on the actual designed use.
Q: What is the main difference between 8714.72 and 8536.90?
A: 8714.72 specifically refers to motorcycle-specific connectors and terminals, while 8536.90 covers general-purpose electrical connecting apparatus. The key difference lies in specificity; if it is clearly motorcycle-specific, 8714.72 is preferred.
Q: What common errors in declaration lead to classification disputes?
A: Common errors include failure to indicate motorcycle-specific use, failure to declare contained wires, vague material descriptions, and general use descriptions. It is recommended to provide detailed technical data to ensure the declared elements are complete and accurate.
⚠️ 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.