Find HS Code and trade information for flexible trunking

Flexible Trunking

Flexible trunking is a networking concept, primarily associated with Cisco systems, that allows multiple virtual trunk links to be established over a single physical link. It enhances bandwidth utilization and provides redundancy in network environments.

Material & Technology

The underlying material is standard network cabling – typically fiber optic or copper Ethernet cables – supporting Gigabit Ethernet or faster speeds. The technology relies on the 802.1Q trunking protocol, which tags Ethernet frames with VLAN (Virtual LAN) information, enabling multiple VLANs to coexist on the same physical link. It builds upon standard trunking by dynamically allocating bandwidth based on network traffic patterns.

Purpose

The primary purpose of flexible trunking is to overcome limitations of traditional trunking. Traditional trunking assigns a fixed number of VLANs to a trunk link, potentially leading to inefficient bandwidth usage if some VLANs have low traffic while others are congested. Flexible trunking addresses this by:

• Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation: Automatically adjusts the bandwidth allocated to each VLAN based on real-time traffic demands.
• Increased Bandwidth Utilization: Maximizes the use of the physical link’s capacity.
• Load Balancing: Distributes traffic across multiple trunk links (when configured with multiple physical links) to prevent congestion.
• Redundancy: Provides link aggregation and failover capabilities, improving network resilience.

Function

Flexible trunking functions through the following mechanisms:

• Port Channeling: Groups multiple physical interfaces into a single logical interface (port channel). This allows for increased bandwidth and redundancy.
• Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP): Negotiates and manages the port channel, ensuring that only compatible interfaces are aggregated. LACP is often used, but static port channels are also possible.
• VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) / Manual Configuration: Defines the VLANs allowed on the trunk link.
• Dynamic Packet Marking: The network devices dynamically mark packets with the appropriate VLAN tag based on the source and destination ports.

Usage Scenarios

• Data Centers: High-bandwidth connectivity between servers and network switches.
• Enterprise Networks: Connecting multiple switches to support a large number of VLANs and users.
• Virtualization Environments: Supporting multiple virtual machines and their associated VLANs.
• Core Network Infrastructure: Providing high-speed backbone connectivity.
• Network Segmentation: Isolating traffic between different departments or security zones.

Common Types/Implementations

• Static Flexible Trunking: Manually configured trunk links without LACP negotiation. Requires careful configuration to ensure compatibility.
• Dynamic Flexible Trunking (using LACP): Automatically negotiates and manages the trunk links using LACP. Provides greater flexibility and resilience.
• On-Demand Flexible Trunking: Dynamically establishes trunk links based on traffic patterns, requiring no pre-configuration. (Less common)
• Cisco StackWise Virtual: A specific implementation of flexible trunking used in Cisco stackable switches.
• Port-channel load-balancing algorithms: Various algorithms (source/destination MAC, source/destination IP, etc.) can be used to distribute traffic across the trunk links within a port channel.

Flexible trunking, based on the provided information, appears to relate to conduit or tubing used for protecting electrical wiring, characterized by its flexibility. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes and associated details:

• 3917310000: This HS code covers tubes, pipes and hoses and fittings therefor (for example, joints, elbows, flanges), of plastics. Specifically, it refers to Other tubes, pipes and hoses: Flexible tubes, pipes and hoses, having a minimum burst pressure of 27.6 MPa. This is a strong candidate if the flexible trunking meets this pressure requirement.

  • Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof.
  • Heading 3917: Tubes, pipes and hoses and fittings therefor, of plastics.
  • Subheading 3917310000: Specifically identifies flexible tubes, pipes and hoses with a minimum burst pressure of 27.6 MPa.

• 3917320050: This HS code also falls under tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, but describes Other tubes, pipes and hoses: Other, not reinforced or otherwise combined with other materials, without fittings. If the flexible trunking is not reinforced and doesn't include fittings, this could be applicable.

  • Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof.
  • Heading 3917: Tubes, pipes and hoses and fittings therefor, of plastics.
  • Subheading 3917320050: Identifies tubes, pipes and hoses that are not reinforced, not combined with other materials, and are without fittings.

• 3926909987: This HS code covers Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: Other: Rigid tubes or pipes suitable for use as electrical conduit. While described as "rigid", it's worth considering if the flexible trunking has some degree of rigidity and is specifically designed for electrical conduit applications.

  • Chapter 39: Plastics and articles thereof.
  • Heading 3926: Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914.
  • Subheading 3926909987: Specifically identifies rigid tubes or pipes suitable for use as electrical conduit.

Important Considerations:

Regarding HS code 3917310000 and 3917320050, the total tax rate is 58.1% (基础关税: 3.1%, 加征关税: 25.0%, 2025.4.2后加征关税: 30.0%).

Regarding HS code 3926909987, the total tax rate is 42.8% (基础关税: 5.3%, 加征关税: 7.5%, 2025.4.2后加征关税: 30.0%).

It is crucial to determine whether the flexible trunking meets the burst pressure requirement of 27.6 MPa to accurately classify it under HS code 3917310000. Additionally, confirm if it is reinforced or combined with other materials, and whether it includes fittings, to differentiate between 3917310000 and 3917320050. If the trunking is designed specifically as electrical conduit and has some rigidity, 3926909987 should also be considered.