Find HS Code and trade information for airbag

Airbag

An airbag is a vehicle safety device, a passive restraint system designed to provide protection to vehicle occupants during a collision. It is a rapidly inflating cushion, typically made of nylon fabric, that deploys to prevent serious injury.

Material

The core components of an airbag system include:

• Nylon Fabric: The airbag itself is constructed from a lightweight, yet incredibly strong, nylon fabric. This material is folded and packed tightly within the airbag module.
• Inflator: This contains a chemical propellant, historically sodium azide (NaN₃), though newer systems utilize more environmentally friendly alternatives. Upon collision detection, a rapid chemical reaction generates a large volume of nitrogen gas. More advanced systems employ stored compressed gas.
• Sensor(s): Impact sensors, typically accelerometers, detect sudden deceleration indicative of a collision.
• Electronic Control Unit (ECU): The ECU receives signals from the sensors and determines if deployment is necessary, based on the severity and angle of the impact.
• Housing: A metal casing protects the folded airbag and inflator.

Purpose

The primary purpose of an airbag is to:

• Reduce Impact Force: By providing a cushioned barrier between the occupant and the vehicle's interior (steering wheel, dashboard, windshield), airbags significantly reduce the force experienced during a crash.
• Prevent Contact with Hard Surfaces: Airbags minimize the likelihood of direct impact with the vehicle's structure, which can cause severe head, chest, and other injuries.
• Distribute Impact: Airbags spread the impact force over a larger area of the body, reducing concentrated pressure on specific points.

Function

The airbag system functions in a sequence:

1. Collision Detection: Impact sensors detect a rapid deceleration exceeding a predetermined threshold.
2. ECU Assessment: The ECU analyzes sensor data to determine the severity and type of collision.
3. Deployment Decision: If deployment is warranted, the ECU sends an electrical signal to the inflator.
4. Inflation: The inflator rapidly generates nitrogen gas, filling the nylon airbag. This process occurs within milliseconds.
5. Deflation: Vents in the airbag allow controlled deflation after the initial impact, preventing it from becoming a hindrance.

Usage Scenarios

Airbags are designed to deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions. Modern vehicles often include multiple airbags for various impact scenarios:

• Frontal Collisions: Front airbags are the most common type, protecting the head and chest of front-seat occupants.
• Side Collisions: Side airbags, often located in the seats or door panels, protect the torso and head.
• Knee Airbags: These protect the knees and lower legs, helping to position occupants correctly for optimal airbag effectiveness.
• Curtain Airbags: Located along the sides of the roof, these deploy to protect the head in side impacts and rollovers.
• Rear Airbags: Increasingly common in newer vehicles, these provide protection for rear-seat occupants.

Common Types

• Single-Stage Airbags: These deploy with a single, fixed inflation rate.
• Multi-Stage Airbags: These deploy with varying inflation rates based on the severity of the impact and occupant characteristics.
• Smart Airbags: These utilize sensors to detect occupant size, weight, seat position, and seatbelt usage to tailor deployment force and timing.
• Supplemental Restraint System (SRS): This term often refers to the entire airbag system, including sensors, ECU, and airbags themselves.

Airbags fall under the category of parts and accessories of vehicles.

Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided information:

• 8714998000: This HS code covers “Parts and accessories of vehicles of headings 8711 to 8713: Other: Other”.
  • 87: Chapter 87 relates to Vehicles and their parts and accessories.
  • 14: Heading 8714 specifically covers Parts and accessories of vehicles.
  • 998000: This subheading denotes “Other: Other”, indicating a broad category for vehicle parts not specifically classified elsewhere. This is a residual category, meaning it covers parts that don’t fit into more specific classifications within headings 8711 to 8713.

The total tax rate for this HS code is 47.5%, comprised of a 10.0% base tariff and a 7.5% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.