| HS Code | Official Doc | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8536610000 | Doc | 57.7% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8536694020 | Doc | 55.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8517110000 | Doc | 37.5% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8535908040 | Doc | 57.7% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8535904000 | Doc | 57.7% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8538908160 | Doc | 58.5% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8538908140 | Doc | 58.5% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 8548000000 | Doc | 55.0% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 3925900000 | Doc | 60.3% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
| 3925900000 | Doc | 60.3% | CN | US | 2025-05-12 |
British Standard Plug
The British Standard plug, also known as a BS 1363 plug, is the standard three-pin plug used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and several other countries formerly part of the British Empire. It is characterized by its robust design and integrated fuse.
Material
BS 1363 plugs are predominantly constructed from thermoplastic materials, typically polycarbonate (PC) or ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), chosen for their durability, electrical insulating properties, and resistance to heat. The pins are generally made of brass, providing good conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Some higher-quality plugs may use phosphor bronze pins for improved performance.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the BS 1363 plug is to connect electrical appliances to a 230V AC mains electricity supply in a safe and reliable manner. It provides a secure connection while incorporating safety features like fusing to protect against overcurrents.
Function
The plug functions by establishing electrical contact between the appliance's power cord and the corresponding sockets in a wall outlet. It achieves this through three pins:
- Live (L): Carries the alternating current to the appliance.
- Neutral (N): Returns the current from the appliance, completing the circuit.
- Earth (E): Provides a safety path for fault currents, preventing electric shock in case of insulation failure.
The plug also includes a fuse housed within the plug body, which protects the appliance and wiring from damage due to excessive current flow.
Usage Scenarios
BS 1363 plugs are used in a wide range of applications, including:
- Household appliances: Televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.
- Lighting: Lamps, ceiling fixtures, etc.
- Electronic devices: Computers, chargers, audio equipment, etc.
- Power tools: Drills, saws, grinders, etc.
Common Types
While the basic design remains consistent, variations exist:
- Fused Plugs: The most common type, containing a fuse to protect against overcurrents. Fuse ratings typically range from 3A to 13A, selected based on the appliance's power requirements.
- Unfused Plugs: Less common and generally used for equipment with its own internal fusing or low power consumption. These are often found on older appliances.
- Rewirable Plugs: Allow the user to replace the fuse and wiring if damaged. These require a degree of skill to assemble correctly and are becoming less common due to safety concerns.
- Plug Adapters: Used to convert plugs from other standards to the BS 1363 standard, allowing appliances from different countries to be used in the UK.
- Square Pin Plugs: Although less common, a square-pin version exists, primarily used for specific industrial or older equipment.
British standard plugs fall under the category of electrical apparatus for making connections in electrical circuits, specifically lamp-holders, plugs and sockets. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes based on the provided information:
- 8536610000: This HS code covers electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders and other connectors, junction boxes), for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V; connectors for optical fibers, optical fiber bundles or cables: Lamp-holders, plugs and sockets: Lamp-holders. This is applicable if the plug is specifically categorized as a lamp-holder component. The total tax rate is 57.7% (基础关税: 2.7%, 加征关税: 25.0%, 2025.4.2后加征关税: 30.0%).
- 8536694020: This HS code covers electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits (for example, switches, relays, fuses, surge suppressors, plugs, sockets, lamp-holders and other connectors, junction boxes), for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V; connectors for optical fibers, optical fiber bundles or cables: Lamp-holders, plugs and sockets: Other: Coaxial connectors; cylindrical multicontact connectors; rack and panel connectors; printed circuit connectors; ribbon or flat cable connectors Cylindrical multicontact connectors. This could apply if the plug features a cylindrical multicontact design. The total tax rate is 55.0% (基础关税: 0.0%, 加征关税: 25.0%, 2025.4.2后加征关税: 30.0%).
- 8517110000: This HS code covers connectors for electric circuits, for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V, other than those of heading 8536: For a voltage not exceeding 1,000 V, other than those of heading 8536. This is applicable if the plug is classified as a connector but doesn't fall under the specific categorization of heading 8536. The total tax rate is 37.5% (基础关税: 0.0%, 加征关税: 7.5%, 2025.4.2后加征关税: 30.0%).
Important Note: The classification between these HS codes depends on the specific design and function of the British standard plug. It is crucial to determine whether it is primarily considered a lamp-holder component (8536610000), a specialized connector type (8536694020), or a general connector (8517110000).