Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, precision instruments and apparatus, and parts and accessories thereof. Goods of this chapter generally have high technological content, precision manufacturing, or specific functions, and are widely used in industrial, medical, scientific research, and consumer fields. Vehicle-mounted massagers, as personal care devices, are classified in this chapter because their function involves human body massage and relaxation. Heading 9019 covers mechanical therapy appliances, massage appliances, psychological aptitude-testing apparatus, ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus. Massage appliances include electric or non-electric massage devices used for massaging, relaxing, and physiotherapy of various parts of the human body. Vehicle-mounted massagers are a type of massage appliance and are therefore classified under this heading. The first 2 digits (90) represent Chapter 90: optical, photographic, medical, etc. equipment. The 3rd-4th digits (19) represent heading 9019: mechanical therapy appliances, massage appliances, psychological aptitude-testing apparatus, etc. The 5th-6th digits (10) represent subheading 901910: massage appliances. Therefore, 901910 in full represents massage appliances, including vehicle-mounted massagers. This code is a 6-digit subheading in the HS classification, and individual countries may further subdivide it. Vehicle-mounted massagers achieve massage function through mechanical vibration or kneading, and are massage appliances rather than medical instruments (such as 9018) or ordinary electric tools (such as 8509). They are designed for use in a vehicle environment, but their core function is still massage, so they are classified under 9019. If they have a heating function, this still does not affect classification, because the primary function is massage.
Chapter
Chapter 90 covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, precision instruments and apparatus, and parts and accessories thereof. Goods of this chapter generally have high technological content, precision manufacturing, or specific functions, and are widely used in industrial, medical, scientific research, and consumer fields. Vehicle-mounted massagers, as personal care devices, are classified in this chapter because their function involves human body massage and relaxation.
Heading
Heading 9019 covers mechanical therapy appliances, massage appliances, psychological aptitude-testing apparatus, ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, aerosol therapy, artificial respiration or other therapeutic respiration apparatus. Massage appliances include electric or non-electric massage devices used for massaging, relaxing, and physiotherapy of various parts of the human body. Vehicle-mounted massagers are a type of massage appliance and are therefore classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits (90) represent Chapter 90: optical, photographic, medical, etc. equipment. The 3rd-4th digits (19) represent heading 9019: mechanical therapy appliances, massage appliances, psychological aptitude-testing apparatus, etc. The 5th-6th digits (10) represent subheading 901910: massage appliances. Therefore, 901910 in full represents massage appliances, including vehicle-mounted massagers. This code is a 6-digit subheading in the HS classification, and individual countries may further subdivide it.
Classification Basis
Vehicle-mounted massagers achieve massage function through mechanical vibration or kneading, and are massage appliances rather than medical instruments (such as 9018) or ordinary electric tools (such as 8509). They are designed for use in a vehicle environment, but their core function is still massage, so they are classified under 9019. If they have a heating function, this still does not affect classification, because the primary function is massage.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and foreign-language name of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "vehicle-mounted massager." Use: Explain the usage scenario of the goods, such as "installed on a car seat, used for driver massage and relaxation." Working Principle: Describe the massage method, such as "electric vibration massage" or "mechanical kneading massage." Brand: Declare the brand of the goods, such as "XX brand"; if there is no brand, fill in "none." Model: Declare the model of the goods, such as "M-123," which should be consistent with the actual product. Material: Main materials, such as "plastic shell, metal movement, leather fabric." Power: The rated power of the electric massager, such as "12W." Whether It Has a Heating Function: State whether it has a heating function, such as "with heating" or "without heating." Product name: vehicle-mounted massager; Use: installed on a car seat, used for driver massage and relaxation; Working principle: electric vibration massage; Brand: XX brand; Model: M-123; Material: plastic shell, metal movement, leather fabric; Power: 12W; Whether it has a heating function: without heating. The vehicle-mounted use is not specified, and it may be mistakenly classified as an ordinary massager. The working principle is described unclearly, such as confusing "electric" with "pneumatic." Brand, model, and other elements are omitted, resulting in incomplete declaration.
Product Name
The Chinese and foreign-language name of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "vehicle-mounted massager."
⚠️ Incorrectly writing it as "car massage chair" or "vehicle-mounted electric tool," leading to classification errors.
Use
Explain the usage scenario of the goods, such as "installed on a car seat, used for driver massage and relaxation."
⚠️ Writing only "for massage" without specifying the vehicle-mounted environment, which may affect customs judgment.
Working Principle
Describe the massage method, such as "electric vibration massage" or "mechanical kneading massage."
⚠️ Confusing electric with pneumatic, or failing to state the power source.
Brand
Declare the brand of the goods, such as "XX brand"; if there is no brand, fill in "none."
⚠️ The brand does not match the actual product, or the brand is omitted.
Model
Declare the model of the goods, such as "M-123," which should be consistent with the actual product.
⚠️ The model is filled in incorrectly or does not match the actual product.
Material
Main materials, such as "plastic shell, metal movement, leather fabric."
⚠️ Writing only "plastic" without listing all main materials.
Power
The rated power of the electric massager, such as "12W."
⚠️ Failing to provide power, or using the wrong unit.
Whether It Has a Heating Function
State whether it has a heating function, such as "with heating" or "without heating."
⚠️ Omitting the heating function, which may affect classification or regulatory conditions.
Example： Product name: vehicle-mounted massager; Use: installed on a car seat, used for driver massage and relaxation; Working principle: electric vibration massage; Brand: XX brand; Model: M-123; Material: plastic shell, metal movement, leather fabric; Power: 12W; Whether it has a heating function: without heating.
Common Mistakes：
The vehicle-mounted use is not specified, and it may be mistakenly classified as an ordinary massager.
The working principle is described unclearly, such as confusing "electric" with "pneumatic."
Brand, model, and other elements are omitted, resulting in incomplete declaration.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the function, working principle, and use of the goods. Vehicle-mounted massagers achieve massage through mechanical vibration or kneading, which conforms to the description of heading 9019, "massage appliances." According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, massage appliances include electric or non-electric massage devices used for massaging the human body. Although vehicle-mounted massagers are used in vehicles, their main function is still massage, so they are classified under 9019. If they have a heating function, they are still classified according to the primary function. 901890 Other medical instruments: 9018 is used for medical diagnosis, treatment, etc., and must have a medical purpose; vehicle-mounted massagers are for personal care, not medical use. 850980 Other household electric appliances: 8509 covers household electric appliances such as food grinders and mixers; vehicle-mounted massagers are massage appliances with a dedicated heading. 950691 Fitness equipment: 9506 covers fitness equipment such as treadmills and dumbbells; vehicle-mounted massagers provide passive massage, not active fitness. 870829 Automobile parts: 8708 covers automobile parts, but vehicle-mounted massagers are independent massage devices, not automobile parts. 901920 Ozone therapy apparatus, etc.: 901920 covers ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, and other respiratory therapy equipment, which have different functions from massage appliances. Is the main function of the goods massage? Is it used for massaging the human body rather than for other purposes? Is it electrically or mechanically driven? Is it specially designed for use in vehicles? Does it have medical diagnostic or therapeutic functions?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the function, working principle, and use of the goods. Vehicle-mounted massagers achieve massage through mechanical vibration or kneading, which conforms to the description of heading 9019, "massage appliances." According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, massage appliances include electric or non-electric massage devices used for massaging the human body. Although vehicle-mounted massagers are used in vehicles, their main function is still massage, so they are classified under 9019. If they have a heating function, they are still classified according to the primary function.
Confused Codes：
901890 - Other medical instruments
9018 is used for medical diagnosis, treatment, etc., and must have a medical purpose; vehicle-mounted massagers are for personal care, not medical use.
850980 - Other household electric appliances
8509 covers household electric appliances such as food grinders and mixers; vehicle-mounted massagers are massage appliances with a dedicated heading.
950691 - Fitness equipment
9506 covers fitness equipment such as treadmills and dumbbells; vehicle-mounted massagers provide passive massage, not active fitness.
870829 - Automobile parts
8708 covers automobile parts, but vehicle-mounted massagers are independent massage devices, not automobile parts.
901920 - Ozone therapy apparatus, etc.
901920 covers ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, and other respiratory therapy equipment, which have different functions from massage appliances.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the main function of the goods massage?
✓ Is it used for massaging the human body rather than for other purposes?
✓ Is it electrically or mechanically driven?
✓ Is it specially designed for use in vehicles?
✓ Does it have medical diagnostic or therapeutic functions?
❓ FAQ
Why are vehicle-mounted massagers classified under 901910 instead of 8708? 8708 covers automobile parts, while vehicle-mounted massagers are independent massage devices whose main function is massage and which are not parts necessary for vehicle operation. Therefore, they are classified under 9019 as massage appliances. If a vehicle-mounted massager has a heating function, will it affect classification? No. Classification is based on the primary function, and heating is only an auxiliary function, so it is still classified under 901910. However, the heating function must be noted at declaration for customs supervision. How can I check the import tax rate for 901910? Tax rates change, so it is recommended to check the latest tax rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration software. You may also consult the local customs office. What elements are required to declare a vehicle-mounted massager? It is necessary to declare the product name, use, working principle, brand, model, material, power, whether it has a heating function, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements. Is there any difference in classification between vehicle-mounted massagers and ordinary massagers? There is no difference; both are classified under 901910. However, the vehicle-mounted use must be noted at declaration for customs statistics and supervision. If a vehicle-mounted massager is pneumatic, is the classification different? It is still classified under 901910, because massage appliances include both electric and non-electric types. However, the working principle must be stated as pneumatic at declaration. What is the difference between 901910 and 901920? 901910 covers massage appliances, and 901920 covers ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, and other respiratory therapy equipment. Their functions are different and they must not be confused. For cross-border e-commerce sales of vehicle-mounted massagers, how is the HS code determined? Based on the function, use, and working principle of the goods, they are determined to be classified under 901910. It is recommended to refer to customs classification decisions or consult a professional customs broker to ensure accuracy.
Q: Why are vehicle-mounted massagers classified under 901910 instead of 8708?
A: 8708 covers automobile parts, while vehicle-mounted massagers are independent massage devices whose main function is massage and which are not parts necessary for vehicle operation. Therefore, they are classified under 9019 as massage appliances.
Q: If a vehicle-mounted massager has a heating function, will it affect classification?
A: No. Classification is based on the primary function, and heating is only an auxiliary function, so it is still classified under 901910. However, the heating function must be noted at declaration for customs supervision.
Q: How can I check the import tax rate for 901910?
A: Tax rates change, so it is recommended to check the latest tax rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or professional customs declaration software. You may also consult the local customs office.
Q: What elements are required to declare a vehicle-mounted massager?
A: It is necessary to declare the product name, use, working principle, brand, model, material, power, whether it has a heating function, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements.
Q: Is there any difference in classification between vehicle-mounted massagers and ordinary massagers?
A: There is no difference; both are classified under 901910. However, the vehicle-mounted use must be noted at declaration for customs statistics and supervision.
Q: If a vehicle-mounted massager is pneumatic, is the classification different?
A: It is still classified under 901910, because massage appliances include both electric and non-electric types. However, the working principle must be stated as pneumatic at declaration.
Q: What is the difference between 901910 and 901920?
A: 901910 covers massage appliances, and 901920 covers ozone therapy, oxygen therapy, and other respiratory therapy equipment. Their functions are different and they must not be confused.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of vehicle-mounted massagers, how is the HS code determined?
A: Based on the function, use, and working principle of the goods, they are determined to be classified under 901910. It is recommended to refer to customs classification decisions or consult a professional customs broker to ensure accuracy.
⚠️ 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.