Find HS Code and trade information for rotating top

Rotating Top

A rotating top is a toy with a conical or rounded top that is set in spinning motion and typically balanced on a vertical axis, often a point. It demonstrates principles of rotational dynamics.

Material

Historically, tops have been constructed from a diverse range of materials:

• Wood: Traditional and common, offering a balance of weight and ease of shaping.
• Metal: Provides greater weight for longer spin times; often used in more complex designs.
• Plastic: Lightweight and inexpensive, suitable for mass production and children’s toys.
• High-Tech Materials: Modern tops utilize materials like steel, aluminum alloys, or even specialized polymers for enhanced performance and durability.

Purpose

The primary purpose of a rotating top is recreational play. However, they also serve educational functions, demonstrating concepts in physics such as:

• Angular Momentum: The tendency of a rotating object to continue rotating.
• Gyroscopic Precession: The change in the orientation of the rotational axis of a rotating object.
• Friction: The force opposing motion, which eventually causes the top to slow and fall.

Function

A rotating top functions through the following principles:

1. Spin: Initial force applied (hand-winding, pull-string, or motor) imparts rotational motion.
2. Stability: The spinning motion creates angular momentum, resisting changes in orientation. The weight and shape of the top contribute to this stability.
3. Balance: The top is balanced on a point, minimizing external torques.
4. Friction & Decay: Friction with the surface and air resistance gradually slow the rotation, leading to instability and eventual falling.

Usage Scenarios

• Play: Children's toys for individual or group play.
• Skill-Based Games: Competitions involving spinning tops for the longest duration or performing tricks.
• Demonstration Tools: Physics classrooms to illustrate rotational motion.
• Collectible Items: Highly detailed or uniquely designed tops are often collected by enthusiasts.

Common Types

• Traditional Spinning Tops: Typically wooden, hand-wound with a string.
• Pull-String Tops: Activated by pulling a string wrapped around the top.
• Motorized Tops: Utilize an electric motor for sustained spinning.
• High-Performance Tops: Designed for long spin times and advanced tricks, often used in competitive play. These can include:
  • Metal Tops: Constructed from steel or alloys for increased weight and inertia.
  • Magnetic Tops: Utilize magnets for stabilization or interaction with other tops.
  • Beyblade: A specific type of spinning top popular for competitive battles, often featuring interchangeable parts.
• Peg Tops: A type of top spun on a peg or a specialized base.
• Dreidel: A four-sided top used in the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.

Rotating tops fall under the classification of toys, specifically within the scope of wheeled toys, dolls, and recreational models. Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided reference material:

• 9503000071: This HS code covers Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dollsʼ carriages; dolls, other toys; reduced-scale (“scaleˮ) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof “Childrenʼs productsˮ as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2052: Other: Labeled or determined by importer as intended for use by persons: Under 3 years of age. This code applies if the rotating top is specifically marketed for children under 3 years of age. The first two digits, '95', indicate the chapter for Toys, games and sports equipment. '03' signifies wheeled toys, dolls, and related items.
• 9503000090: This HS code covers Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dollsʼ carriages; dolls, other toys; reduced-scale (“scaleˮ) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof Other. This code applies to rotating tops not specifically categorized under the 'under 3 years of age' category. Similar to the previous code, '95' denotes Toys, games and sports equipment, and '03' represents wheeled toys, dolls, and related items.

Tax Rate Information:

Both HS codes 9503000071 and 9503000090 currently have a base tariff of 0.0% and a surtax of 0.0%. However, a 30% additional tariff will be applied after April 2, 2025. Therefore, the total tariff rate will be 30.0% after this date.

Important Note:

These HS codes are based on the provided reference material and the description of a rotating top as a toy. If the rotating top has specific functionalities beyond a typical toy (e.g., used as a precision instrument), a different HS code may be more appropriate.