Find HS Code and trade information for positioning tool

Positioning Tool

A positioning tool is a device or system used to determine the location and orientation of an object or person in space. These tools are fundamental to a wide range of applications, from everyday navigation to complex industrial processes and scientific research.

Materials

Positioning tools utilize diverse materials dependent on the technology employed. Common materials include:

• Electronics: Silicon, printed circuit boards (PCBs), various metals for circuitry (copper, gold, aluminum).
• Housing: Plastics (ABS, polycarbonate), aluminum alloys, stainless steel, carbon fiber composites (for lightweight, high-precision applications).
• Sensors: Quartz (for accelerometers and gyroscopes), magnetic materials (for magnetometers), optical components (glass, lenses), radio frequency (RF) components.
• Batteries: Lithium-ion, alkaline, or other rechargeable/non-rechargeable battery technologies.

Purpose

The primary purpose of a positioning tool is to provide location data. This data typically includes:

• Coordinates: Latitude, longitude, altitude (for global positioning).
• Orientation: Heading, pitch, roll (often expressed as Euler angles or quaternions).
• Velocity: Speed and direction of movement.
• Acceleration: Rate of change of velocity.

Beyond basic location, advanced positioning tools can offer:

• Real-time Tracking: Continuous monitoring of an object’s position over time.
• Mapping: Creation of spatial representations of environments.
• Navigation: Guiding users or systems along predefined routes.
• Geofencing: Defining virtual boundaries and triggering alerts when crossed.

Function

Positioning tools function through a variety of technologies:

• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS): Receives signals from satellites (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) to calculate position. Requires a clear line of sight to satellites.
• Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs): Uses accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure acceleration and angular velocity. Can operate without external signals but accumulates error over time (drift).
• Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID): Uses radio waves to identify and locate tagged objects. Requires readers within range of the tags.
• Ultra-Wideband (UWB): Uses short radio pulses for precise indoor positioning. Offers high accuracy and robustness.
• Visual Positioning Systems (VPS): Uses cameras and computer vision algorithms to recognize features in the environment and estimate position.
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons: Uses Bluetooth signals to estimate proximity to known locations.
• Wi-Fi Positioning: Uses the signal strength of Wi-Fi networks to estimate location.

Usage Scenarios

Positioning tools are employed in a vast array of applications:

• Navigation: Automotive GPS systems, smartphone mapping apps, aviation guidance systems.
• Logistics & Transportation: Fleet management, asset tracking, package delivery.
• Surveying & Mapping: Creating accurate geographical models, construction site monitoring.
• Robotics: Autonomous navigation, SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping).
• Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR): Tracking user movement and orientation for immersive experiences.
• Healthcare: Patient tracking, asset management within hospitals.
• Sports & Fitness: Tracking athlete performance, route recording.
• Military & Defense: Precision guidance, troop tracking.
• Industrial Automation: Robot localization, warehouse management.

Common Types

• GPS Receivers: Standalone devices or integrated into smartphones and other devices.
• IMU-based trackers: Used in drones, robotics, and motion capture systems.
• GNSS/IMU Integrated Systems: Combine the accuracy of GNSS with the robustness of IMU for improved performance.
• UWB Positioning Systems: Used in indoor environments for high-precision tracking.
• Beacons: Small Bluetooth transmitters used for proximity detection and indoor navigation.
• Optical Tracking Systems: Used in motion capture and VR/AR applications.
• Smartphone-based Positioning: Utilizing the integrated GPS, IMU, Wi-Fi, and cellular sensors.

The declared goods, “positioning tool”, fall under the category of drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments, or instruments for measuring length. These tools are used for determining or indicating a position, likely transmitting data to computer processors or displays.

The following HS codes are relevant based on the provided information:

• 9017208040: This HS code covers “Other drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments: Hand operated input devices which transmit position data to computer processors or displays (digitizers)”. This is a specific subheading for positioning tools that function as input devices for computers.

  • 90: Chapter 90 – Instruments and apparatus which measure, check or test; navigational instruments and apparatus.
  • 17: Heading 17 – Instruments and apparatus which measure, check or test; navigational instruments and apparatus.
  • 20: Subheading 20 – Instruments and apparatus which measure, check or test; navigational instruments and apparatus.
  • 80: Further specifies hand operated input devices transmitting position data.
  • 40: Even more specific, defining the goods as digitizers.

• 9017208080: This HS code covers “Other drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments: Other”. This is a broader category for positioning tools that do not specifically fall under the digitizer definition.

  • 90: Chapter 90 – Instruments and apparatus which measure, check or test; navigational instruments and apparatus.
  • 17: Heading 17 – Instruments and apparatus which measure, check or test; navigational instruments and apparatus.
  • 20: Subheading 20 – Instruments and apparatus which measure, check or test; navigational instruments and apparatus.
  • 80: Further specifies other drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments.
  • 80: Even more specific, defining the goods as other.

Both HS codes have a basic tariff of 4.6%, an additional tariff of 25.0%, and a further additional tariff of 30.0% effective after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tariff of 59.6%.