About HS Code 8482
HS Heading 8482 covers ball or roller bearings, which are fundamental mechanical components vital for enabling smooth, low-friction rotational or linear motion in virtually all types of machinery. This classification is profoundly significant in international trade due to the universal application of bearings across industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, power generation, and consumer electronics. The scope encompasses a wide variety of bearing types, such as deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, and needle roller bearings, along with their parts. These precision-engineered components are critical for machine performance, longevity, and energy efficiency. As part of Section XVI (Machinery and Mechanical Appliances), this heading underscores their role as essential mechanical elements. Accurate classification is crucial for trade compliance, impacting tariffs, anti-dumping duties (which are sometimes applied to specific bearing types), and adherence to technical standards. The global trade in bearings highlights interconnected supply chains and the specialized manufacturing capabilities required for these high-precision components.
Products Under This Code
Deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, needle roller bearings, thrust ball bearings, thrust roller bearings, miniature bearings, ceramic bearings, stainless steel bearings, mounted bearings (with integral ball/roller bearing), super precision bearings, thin section bearings, flanged bearings, wheel hub bearings, clutch release bearings, differential bearings, gimbal bearings, pillow block bearings (with integral ball/roller bearing), linear bearings (rolling element type), slewing bearings.
Real World Examples
A Japanese automotive supplier exports high-precision tapered roller bearings to a car assembly plant in the USA for integration into vehicle wheel hubs, typically shipped from Nagoya to South Carolina. A German wind turbine manufacturer imports large spherical roller bearings from Sweden for the gearboxes of its multi-megawatt wind turbines, with goods transported from Gothenburg to Rostock. A Chinese electronics manufacturer imports miniature deep groove ball bearings from Switzerland for use in robotic arms and precision instruments, often shipping from Zurich to Shenzhen. An Indian textile machinery producer imports cylindrical roller bearings from Italy for its advanced spinning machines, using the Milan to Ahmedabad trade route. A Korean heavy equipment manufacturer imports specialized angular contact ball bearings from the USA for its construction machinery, typically from Chicago to Ulsan.
Common Misclassification
A common mistake is confusing ball or roller bearings (8482) with plain shaft bearings (8483), which are distinct in their operating principle. While both are bearings, 8482 is exclusively for rolling element types. Another error is classifying parts of bearings, such as individual balls, rollers, or races, separately from the complete bearing, as these typically fall under 8482 as 'parts.' Additionally, complex assemblies containing bearings, like a complete wheel hub assembly, might be misclassified under 8482 instead of parts of vehicles (Chapter 87) if they are specifically designed for a particular vehicle type.
Subheadings 8
Industry
This code belongs to the Electronics & Electrical Equipment industry.
Trade Overview
Japan, Germany, Sweden, the USA, and China are major manufacturers and exporters of ball and roller bearings, renowned for their precision engineering. Significant importers include countries with large automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and electronics manufacturing sectors worldwide. Global demand is driven by these industries, leading to extensive international trade. Tariffs on bearings are generally low or zero among major trading blocs and under many free trade agreements, reflecting their status as critical industrial components essential for global manufacturing supply chains. However, anti-dumping duties can occasionally apply to specific bearing types from certain countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 8482?
HS code 8482 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ball or roller bearings. HS Heading 8482 covers ball or roller bearings, which are fundamental mechanical components vital for enabling smooth, low-friction rotational or linear motion in virtually all types of machinery. This classification is profoundly significant in international trade due to the universal application of bearings across industries, including automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, power generation, and consumer electronics. The scope encompasses a wide variety of bearing types, such as deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, and needle roller bearings, along with their parts. These precision-engineered components are critical for machine performance, longevity, and energy efficiency. As part of Section XVI (Machinery and Mechanical Appliances), this heading underscores their role as essential mechanical elements. Accurate classification is crucial for trade compliance, impacting tariffs, anti-dumping duties (which are sometimes applied to specific bearing types), and adherence to technical standards. The global trade in bearings highlights interconnected supply chains and the specialized manufacturing capabilities required for these high-precision components.
What products fall under HS code 8482?
Deep groove ball bearings, angular contact ball bearings, self-aligning ball bearings, cylindrical roller bearings, spherical roller bearings, tapered roller bearings, needle roller bearings, thrust ball bearings, thrust roller bearings, miniature bearings, ceramic bearings, stainless steel bearings, mounted bearings (with integral ball/roller bearing), super precision bearings, thin section bearings, flanged bearings, wheel hub bearings, clutch release bearings, differential bearings, gimbal bearings, pillow block bearings (with integral ball/roller bearing), linear bearings (rolling element type), slewing bearings.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 8482?
A common mistake is confusing ball or roller bearings (8482) with plain shaft bearings (8483), which are distinct in their operating principle. While both are bearings, 8482 is exclusively for rolling element types. Another error is classifying parts of bearings, such as individual balls, rollers, or races, separately from the complete bearing, as these typically fall under 8482 as 'parts.' Additionally, complex assemblies containing bearings, like a complete wheel hub assembly, might be misclassified under 8482 instead of parts of vehicles (Chapter 87) if they are specifically designed for a particular vehicle type.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 8482?
Japan, Germany, Sweden, the USA, and China are major manufacturers and exporters of ball and roller bearings, renowned for their precision engineering. Significant importers include countries with large automotive, aerospace, industrial machinery, and electronics manufacturing sectors worldwide. Global demand is driven by these industries, leading to extensive international trade. Tariffs on bearings are generally low or zero among major trading blocs and under many free trade agreements, reflecting their status as critical industrial components essential for global manufacturing supply chains. However, anti-dumping duties can occasionally apply to specific bearing types from certain countries.
How is HS code 8482 structured?
HS code 8482 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 84 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (82) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.