Find HS Code and trade information for alarm

Alarm

An alarm is a device that signals a condition requiring attention or action. These signals can be auditory, visual, or tactile, and are employed across a wide range of applications to alert users to potential problems or events.

Material:

Alarms are constructed from diverse materials depending on their specific application and complexity. Common materials include:

• Plastics: Used for housings, buttons, and internal components due to their cost-effectiveness and moldability. (ABS, Polycarbonate)
• Metals: Employed for structural components, bells, and resonant elements. (Steel, Brass, Aluminum)
• Electronics: Silicon, printed circuit boards (PCBs), resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits form the core of digital alarms.
• Piezoelectric elements: Used in buzzers and speakers to generate sound.
• Batteries: Provide power for portable and backup systems. (Lithium, Alkaline)

Purpose:

The primary purpose of an alarm is to provide a warning. This can include:

• Security: Detecting unauthorized entry, theft, or intrusion.
• Safety: Alerting users to fire, carbon monoxide leaks, gas leaks, or other hazardous conditions.
• Time Management: Waking individuals, reminding them of appointments, or signaling the completion of a task.
• Process Monitoring: Indicating when a specific parameter (temperature, pressure, level) exceeds or falls below a defined threshold.

Function:

Alarms operate based on several core functional principles:

• Sensing: Detecting a specific condition using sensors (motion detectors, smoke detectors, gas sensors, timers).
• Signal Processing: Analyzing the sensor input and determining if a threshold has been crossed.
• Activation: Triggering the warning signal (sound, light, communication).
• Communication: Relaying the alarm signal to the user or a monitoring station (siren, strobe light, notification to a smartphone).

Usage Scenarios:

• Residential: Security systems, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, clock alarms.
• Commercial: Fire alarm systems, intrusion detection systems, process control alarms, medical equipment alarms.
• Industrial: Machine monitoring, safety systems, environmental control.
• Automotive: Car alarms, anti-theft systems, backup warning systems.
• Marine: Collision avoidance systems, bilge pump alarms.
• Personal: Wearable panic alarms, medication reminders.

Common Types:

• Clock Alarms: Used to wake individuals or remind them of events. Mechanical, digital, and smartphone-based options exist.
• Smoke Detectors: Detect smoke particles, alerting users to potential fires. Ionization and photoelectric types are common.
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Detect the presence of carbon monoxide gas, a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas.
• Security Alarms: Detect unauthorized entry, often using motion sensors, door/window contacts, and glass break detectors.
• Fire Alarms: Comprehensive systems designed to detect and alert occupants of a fire. Include detectors, control panels, and notification devices.
• Gas Leak Detectors: Detect the presence of flammable or toxic gases.
• Process Alarms: Used in industrial settings to monitor and alert operators to deviations from normal operating conditions.
• Personal Panic Alarms: Small, portable devices that emit a loud sound to attract attention in emergency situations.
• Car Alarms: Deter theft and alert owners to unauthorized access.
• Water Leak Detectors: Detect the presence of water, preventing damage from leaks.

The declared goods are identified as “alarm”. Based on the provided information, the following HS codes are relevant:

• 9105194000: Other clocks: Alarm clocks: Other: Other: Valued not over $5 each. This HS code covers alarm clocks with a value not exceeding $5 per unit. The first two digits, '91', indicate Chapter 91, which pertains to measuring, checking, testing, navigating and similar instruments, watches and other timekeeping instruments. '05' denotes other clocks, and '19' specifies alarm clocks, further categorized by '40' for other types valued at or below $5.
• 9105195000: Other clocks: Alarm clocks: Other: Other: Valued over $5 each. This HS code applies to alarm clocks valued at more than $5 per unit. Similar to the previous code, '91' represents Chapter 91, '05' denotes other clocks, and '19' specifies alarm clocks, with '50' indicating those valued above $5.
• 8531100015: Electric sound or visual signaling apparatus (for example, bells, sirens, indicator panels, burglar or fire alarms), other than those of heading 8512 or 8530; parts thereof: Burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus Smoke detectors: Battery powered. This HS code covers battery-powered smoke detectors, categorized as burglar or fire alarms. '85' indicates Chapter 85, which pertains to electrical machinery and equipment. '31' denotes electric sound or visual signaling apparatus, and '10' specifies burglar or fire alarms, further categorized by '15' for battery-powered smoke detectors.

Regarding HS code 9105194000 and 9105195000, the tariff rates are dependent on the value of the alarm clock. For alarms valued at or below $5, the base duty is 15¢ each + 6.4%, with a 30.0% additional duty effective after April 2, 2025. For alarms valued over $5, the base duty is 23¢ each + 3.2%, with a 37.5% additional duty effective after April 2, 2025.

Regarding HS code 8531100015, the base duty is 1.3%, with a 25.0% additional duty, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.