Find HS Code and trade information for cat's eye

Cat's Eye

Cat's eye refers to a reflective safety device, typically used to indicate the position of roads, particularly at night. It is also known as a road stud, reflector, or pavement marker.

Material:

• Housing: Traditionally constructed from durable materials like hard plastic (often polyurethane or acrylic) or metal (cast iron or aluminum). Modern designs increasingly utilize recycled materials.
• Reflective Element: Originally, these were glass beads embedded in a housing. Current cat's eyes commonly use retroreflective sheeting (specifically, microprismatic retroreflective sheeting) or plastic reflectors. The reflective material is the core component, designed to return light directly to the source.

Purpose:

The primary purpose of cat's eyes is to enhance road safety by providing clear lane guidance and edge delineation, especially in low-light conditions (night, rain, fog, snow). They significantly improve driver visibility, reducing the risk of accidents.

Function:

Cat's eyes function by retroreflection. This means they reflect light back towards its source, regardless of the angle of incidence. This is achieved through:

• Prismatic Structure: The reflective element contains tiny prisms that bend and redirect light.
• Total Internal Reflection: Light entering the prism undergoes total internal reflection, bouncing internally before exiting back towards the light source.
• Housing Focus: The housing shape focuses the reflected light, maximizing its intensity and directing it back along the roadway.

Usage Scenarios:

• Road Edges: Most commonly used to mark the edges of roads, defining lane boundaries.
• Lane Dividers: Used to separate lanes of traffic, particularly on highways and multi-lane roads.
• Hazardous Locations: Installed at intersections, curves, pedestrian crossings, and other areas where visibility is reduced or where accidents are more likely.
• Roundabouts: Used to guide drivers through roundabouts.
• Airport Runways: Specialized, high-intensity cat's eyes are used to mark airport runways for aircraft guidance.

Common Types:

• Single Lens: The most basic type, featuring a single reflective lens.
• Double Lens: Features two reflective lenses, providing increased reflectivity and visibility. Often used on highways.
• Raised Profile: These have a raised profile, making them more durable and resistant to snowplows and other damage.
• Active Reflectors: Newer technology incorporates LED lights powered by solar energy, providing significantly brighter illumination.
• Directional Reflectors: Designed to reflect light in a specific direction, used for guiding traffic through complex intersections or roundabouts.
• Temporary Reflectors: Used for construction zones and short-term traffic control. These are often made of flexible materials and are easily installed and removed.

Based on the provided information, “cat’s eye” can be classified under the following HS codes:

• 7018105000: Glass beads, imitation pearls, imitation precious or semiprecious stones and similar glass smallwares: Other. This code covers glass items designed to resemble pearls or precious stones, potentially including “cat’s eye” glass beads or smallwares.
• 7018905000: Other: Other. This is a broader category for other glass items not specifically classified elsewhere, which could encompass “cat’s eye” glass products if they don’t fall under the more specific 7018105000 classification.

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'cat’s eye' are limited, with only the following 2 found.

Tax Rate Details:

• 7018105000:
  • Basic tariff: 0.0%
  • Additional tariff: 25.0%
  • Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30%
  • Total tariff: 55.0%
• 7018905000:
  • Basic tariff: 6.6%
  • Additional tariff: 25.0%
  • Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30%
  • Total tariff: 61.6%

HS Code Breakdown:

• 7018: This chapter covers glass in various forms.
• 701810: This heading specifically covers glass beads, imitation pearls, and similar glass smallwares.
• 70181050: This subheading further defines the category as "Other" within the glass beads, imitation pearls, and similar glass smallwares heading.
• 701890: This heading covers other glass items not specifically classified elsewhere.
• 70189050: This subheading further defines the category as "Other" within the other glass items heading.