Chapter 90 is the chapter in the HS classification system covering optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, precision instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof. This chapter covers an extremely broad range, from spectacles and microscopes to medical equipment and industrial measuring instruments. Its core characteristic is that the goods have precision measurement, detection, control, or analysis functions, rather than being simple mechanical or electronic consumer goods. As an electrical energy metering instrument, a vehicle-mounted electricity meter falls within the scope of measuring and checking equipment in this chapter. Heading 9028 covers instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking electrical quantities, including electricity meters (watt-hour meters), electrical quantity analyzers, power meters, etc., as well as their calibration devices. Products under this heading are generally used to measure electrical parameters such as voltage, current, resistance, power, and electrical energy. A vehicle-mounted electricity meter specifically refers to a meter installed on a vehicle for measuring electrical energy consumption, such as an on-board charger electricity meter for electric vehicles, an on-board inverter output electricity meter, etc., and is a specific application under this heading. Code 902830 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits '90' represent Chapter 90, namely the chapter for optical, measuring, medical, and other precision instruments and equipment. Digits 3-4 '28' represent heading 9028, namely instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking electrical quantities. Digits 5-6 '30' represent subheading 902830, specifically electricity meters (watt-hour meters). Therefore, 902830 as a whole refers to electricity meters, including vehicle-mounted electricity meters. It should be noted that under 9028 there are also subheadings such as 902810 (electrical quantity measuring instruments) and 902820 (electrical quantity checking instruments), while 902830 specifically refers to electrical energy metering instruments. The core function of a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is to measure electrical energy consumption, which falls within the category of electricity meters, and therefore it is classified under 902830. It is different from 902810 (electrical quantity measuring instruments, such as multimeters and voltmeters), and also different from 902820 (electrical quantity checking instruments, such as withstand voltage testers). Although a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is installed on a vehicle, its essential nature of measuring electrical energy remains unchanged, so it is not classified under vehicle parts (such as 8708) or general electronic measuring instruments (such as 9030).
Chapter
Chapter 90 is the chapter in the HS classification system covering optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus, precision instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof. This chapter covers an extremely broad range, from spectacles and microscopes to medical equipment and industrial measuring instruments. Its core characteristic is that the goods have precision measurement, detection, control, or analysis functions, rather than being simple mechanical or electronic consumer goods. As an electrical energy metering instrument, a vehicle-mounted electricity meter falls within the scope of measuring and checking equipment in this chapter.
Heading
Heading 9028 covers instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking electrical quantities, including electricity meters (watt-hour meters), electrical quantity analyzers, power meters, etc., as well as their calibration devices. Products under this heading are generally used to measure electrical parameters such as voltage, current, resistance, power, and electrical energy. A vehicle-mounted electricity meter specifically refers to a meter installed on a vehicle for measuring electrical energy consumption, such as an on-board charger electricity meter for electric vehicles, an on-board inverter output electricity meter, etc., and is a specific application under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
Code 902830 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits '90' represent Chapter 90, namely the chapter for optical, measuring, medical, and other precision instruments and equipment. Digits 3-4 '28' represent heading 9028, namely instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking electrical quantities. Digits 5-6 '30' represent subheading 902830, specifically electricity meters (watt-hour meters). Therefore, 902830 as a whole refers to electricity meters, including vehicle-mounted electricity meters. It should be noted that under 9028 there are also subheadings such as 902810 (electrical quantity measuring instruments) and 902820 (electrical quantity checking instruments), while 902830 specifically refers to electrical energy metering instruments.
Classification Basis
The core function of a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is to measure electrical energy consumption, which falls within the category of electricity meters, and therefore it is classified under 902830. It is different from 902810 (electrical quantity measuring instruments, such as multimeters and voltmeters), and also different from 902820 (electrical quantity checking instruments, such as withstand voltage testers). Although a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is installed on a vehicle, its essential nature of measuring electrical energy remains unchanged, so it is not classified under vehicle parts (such as 8708) or general electronic measuring instruments (such as 9030).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as 'vehicle-mounted electricity meter' or 'electricity meter for electric vehicles'. Use: Explain the specific usage scenario of the goods, such as 'installed on an electric vehicle, used to measure charging electrical energy consumption'. Working principle: Briefly describe the metering principle, such as 'electronic type, sampling current and voltage through sensors and calculating electrical energy'. Brand: Fill in the product brand; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'. Model: Fill in the specific model to distinguish different specifications. Accuracy class: Such as 'class 1.0' or 'class 0.5', reflecting the accuracy of the electricity meter. Rated voltage/current: Such as '220V/10A', indicating the operating parameters of the electricity meter. Whether it has communication function: Such as 'with RS485 communication', used for remote data transmission. Product name: vehicle-mounted electricity meter; Use: installed on an electric vehicle, used to measure charging electrical energy; Working principle: electronic type, sampling current and voltage through Hall sensors and calculating electrical energy; Brand: XX; Model: EV-100; Accuracy class: class 1.0; Rated voltage/current: 220V/16A; Whether it has communication function: with RS485 communication. Mistakenly classifying a vehicle-mounted electricity meter under a vehicle parts code (such as 8708), ignoring its nature as a measuring instrument. Failing to indicate the 'vehicle-mounted' use at declaration, causing confusion with ordinary electricity meters and affecting classification. Incorrect description of the working principle, such as writing electronic type as mechanical type, which may trigger customs questioning.
Product name
The standard name of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as 'vehicle-mounted electricity meter' or 'electricity meter for electric vehicles'.
⚠️ Writing only 'electricity meter' without indicating the vehicle-mounted use, or mistakenly writing it as 'voltmeter'.
Use
Explain the specific usage scenario of the goods, such as 'installed on an electric vehicle, used to measure charging electrical energy consumption'.
⚠️ Filling in 'for measurement' in a general way without clarifying the vehicle-mounted environment.
Working principle
Briefly describe the metering principle, such as 'electronic type, sampling current and voltage through sensors and calculating electrical energy'.
⚠️ Incorrectly describing it as 'mechanical type' or 'induction type', which is inconsistent with the actual product.
Brand
Fill in the product brand; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand'.
⚠️ Confusing brand with model, or omitting it.
Model
Fill in the specific model to distinguish different specifications.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the actual product.
Accuracy class
Such as 'class 1.0' or 'class 0.5', reflecting the accuracy of the electricity meter.
⚠️ Not filling it in or filling in the wrong class.
Rated voltage/current
Such as '220V/10A', indicating the operating parameters of the electricity meter.
⚠️ Incorrect units for parameters or missing parameters.
Whether it has communication function
Such as 'with RS485 communication', used for remote data transmission.
⚠️ Not specifying the type of communication interface.
Example： Product name: vehicle-mounted electricity meter; Use: installed on an electric vehicle, used to measure charging electrical energy; Working principle: electronic type, sampling current and voltage through Hall sensors and calculating electrical energy; Brand: XX; Model: EV-100; Accuracy class: class 1.0; Rated voltage/current: 220V/16A; Whether it has communication function: with RS485 communication.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying a vehicle-mounted electricity meter under a vehicle parts code (such as 8708), ignoring its nature as a measuring instrument.
Failing to indicate the 'vehicle-mounted' use at declaration, causing confusion with ordinary electricity meters and affecting classification.
Incorrect description of the working principle, such as writing electronic type as mechanical type, which may trigger customs questioning.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the function and use of the goods. The main function of a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is to measure electrical energy, which conforms to the description of heading 9028 'instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking electrical quantities', and the specific subheading 902830 is 'electricity meters'. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, electricity meters include all types of electrical energy metering instruments, regardless of their installation location. Although a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is used on a vehicle, its essential nature of measuring electrical energy is unchanged, so it should be classified under 902830. If the meter is only used to measure parameters such as voltage and current but does not measure electrical energy, it should be classified under 902810. 902810 Electrical quantity measuring instruments: 902810 covers instruments for measuring electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and resistance, such as multimeters and voltmeters, and does not measure electrical energy. If a vehicle-mounted electricity meter only displays voltage and current and does not accumulate electrical energy, it is classified under this code. 902820 Electrical quantity checking instruments: 902820 is used to check the electrical performance of circuits or equipment, such as withstand voltage testers and insulation testers, and is not used for continuous electrical energy measurement. If a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is used for checking rather than metering, it may be classified under this code. 870829 Vehicle parts and accessories: 870829 covers other vehicle parts and accessories, but as a measuring instrument, a vehicle-mounted electricity meter has an independent function and should not be classified as a vehicle part. Only simple indicators specially used for vehicles and without metering functions may be classified under 8708. 903033 Other electrical quantity measuring instruments: 903033 is a subheading under 9030, covering other electrical quantity measuring instruments not elsewhere specified. However, 9028 already explicitly includes electricity meters, so vehicle-mounted electricity meters should be classified under 902830 in preference. Is the product used to measure electrical energy (rather than merely measuring voltage and current)? Does the product have the function of accumulating electrical energy? Is the product installed on a vehicle but independent of the vehicle system? Does the product belong to an electronic or mechanical electricity meter? Does the product have communication or remote data transmission functions?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the function and use of the goods. The main function of a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is to measure electrical energy, which conforms to the description of heading 9028 'instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking electrical quantities', and the specific subheading 902830 is 'electricity meters'. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, electricity meters include all types of electrical energy metering instruments, regardless of their installation location. Although a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is used on a vehicle, its essential nature of measuring electrical energy is unchanged, so it should be classified under 902830. If the meter is only used to measure parameters such as voltage and current but does not measure electrical energy, it should be classified under 902810.
902810 covers instruments for measuring electrical parameters such as voltage, current, and resistance, such as multimeters and voltmeters, and does not measure electrical energy. If a vehicle-mounted electricity meter only displays voltage and current and does not accumulate electrical energy, it is classified under this code.
902820 - Electrical quantity checking instruments
902820 is used to check the electrical performance of circuits or equipment, such as withstand voltage testers and insulation testers, and is not used for continuous electrical energy measurement. If a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is used for checking rather than metering, it may be classified under this code.
870829 - Vehicle parts and accessories
870829 covers other vehicle parts and accessories, but as a measuring instrument, a vehicle-mounted electricity meter has an independent function and should not be classified as a vehicle part. Only simple indicators specially used for vehicles and without metering functions may be classified under 8708.
903033 - Other electrical quantity measuring instruments
903033 is a subheading under 9030, covering other electrical quantity measuring instruments not elsewhere specified. However, 9028 already explicitly includes electricity meters, so vehicle-mounted electricity meters should be classified under 902830 in preference.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the product used to measure electrical energy (rather than merely measuring voltage and current)?
✓ Does the product have the function of accumulating electrical energy?
✓ Is the product installed on a vehicle but independent of the vehicle system?
✓ Does the product belong to an electronic or mechanical electricity meter?
✓ Does the product have communication or remote data transmission functions?
❓ FAQ
Is there a difference in HS code between a vehicle-mounted electricity meter and an ordinary household electricity meter? There is no difference. As long as its function is to measure electrical energy, whether installed on a vehicle or in a home, it is classified under 902830. However, the 'vehicle-mounted' use must be indicated at declaration so that customs can identify it. How can one determine whether a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is classified under 902830 or 902810? The key is whether it measures electrical energy. If the meter can accumulate electrical energy consumption (such as kilowatt-hours), it is classified under 902830; if it only measures instantaneous parameters such as voltage and current, it is classified under 902810. Is a type approval certificate for measuring instruments required when importing a vehicle-mounted electricity meter? According to the Metrology Law, electricity meters used for trade settlement require type approval. However, if a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is only used for internal vehicle metering and not for trade settlement, it may not be required. The specific requirements should be confirmed with the local customs and metrology authorities. When exporting a vehicle-mounted electricity meter to the EU, is the HS code the same? The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are the same as those of China, namely 902830. However, the EU may have additional codes (such as TARIC), which need to be further subdivided according to the specific use and specifications. What are the customs regulatory conditions for vehicle-mounted electricity meters? For general imports, basic documents such as packing lists, invoices, and contracts are usually required. If it is a measuring instrument, a type approval certificate or calibration certificate may be required. The specific regulatory conditions can be checked in the Import and Export Tariff issued by the General Administration of Customs or by consulting a customs broker. How should the HS code be declared for cross-border e-commerce sales of vehicle-mounted electricity meters? Cross-border e-commerce retail exports are usually declared as personal items or express shipments, but if exported in batches, they still need to be declared under HS code 902830 according to general trade. It is recommended to declare the product name, use, working principle, and other elements truthfully. If a vehicle-mounted electricity meter has a GPS function, will the code change? No. The GPS function is an additional function and does not change its core function of electrical energy metering, so it is still classified under 902830. However, if GPS becomes the main function, it may be classified under 8526 (radar and radio navigation equipment). How can one check the latest tariff rate for vehicle-mounted electricity meters? You can log on to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the 'Customs Import and Export Tariff' query system and enter HS code 902830 to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates are adjusted with policy changes, so the latest published version should prevail.
Q: Is there a difference in HS code between a vehicle-mounted electricity meter and an ordinary household electricity meter?
A: There is no difference. As long as its function is to measure electrical energy, whether installed on a vehicle or in a home, it is classified under 902830. However, the 'vehicle-mounted' use must be indicated at declaration so that customs can identify it.
Q: How can one determine whether a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is classified under 902830 or 902810?
A: The key is whether it measures electrical energy. If the meter can accumulate electrical energy consumption (such as kilowatt-hours), it is classified under 902830; if it only measures instantaneous parameters such as voltage and current, it is classified under 902810.
Q: Is a type approval certificate for measuring instruments required when importing a vehicle-mounted electricity meter?
A: According to the Metrology Law, electricity meters used for trade settlement require type approval. However, if a vehicle-mounted electricity meter is only used for internal vehicle metering and not for trade settlement, it may not be required. The specific requirements should be confirmed with the local customs and metrology authorities.
Q: When exporting a vehicle-mounted electricity meter to the EU, is the HS code the same?
A: The first 6 digits of the EU HS code are the same as those of China, namely 902830. However, the EU may have additional codes (such as TARIC), which need to be further subdivided according to the specific use and specifications.
Q: What are the customs regulatory conditions for vehicle-mounted electricity meters?
A: For general imports, basic documents such as packing lists, invoices, and contracts are usually required. If it is a measuring instrument, a type approval certificate or calibration certificate may be required. The specific regulatory conditions can be checked in the Import and Export Tariff issued by the General Administration of Customs or by consulting a customs broker.
Q: How should the HS code be declared for cross-border e-commerce sales of vehicle-mounted electricity meters?
A: Cross-border e-commerce retail exports are usually declared as personal items or express shipments, but if exported in batches, they still need to be declared under HS code 902830 according to general trade. It is recommended to declare the product name, use, working principle, and other elements truthfully.
Q: If a vehicle-mounted electricity meter has a GPS function, will the code change?
A: No. The GPS function is an additional function and does not change its core function of electrical energy metering, so it is still classified under 902830. However, if GPS becomes the main function, it may be classified under 8526 (radar and radio navigation equipment).
Q: How can one check the latest tariff rate for vehicle-mounted electricity meters?
A: You can log on to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the 'Customs Import and Export Tariff' query system and enter HS code 902830 to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates are adjusted with policy changes, so the latest published version should prevail.
⚠️ 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.