Find HS Code and trade information for special glasses for welding

Welding Glasses

Welding glasses are specialized eye protection designed to protect the wearer from the intense light and heat generated during welding processes.

Material:

• Lens: Typically constructed from a durable polycarbonate or crown glass. The lenses incorporate specific filters to attenuate harmful ultraviolet (UV), infrared (IR), and visible light radiation. Filter shades range from 5 to 14, with darker shades used for higher amperage welding.
• Frame: Frames are commonly made from heat-resistant plastic, nylon, or metal alloys. They are designed to provide a secure and comfortable fit.
• Side Shields: Often include side shields to offer peripheral protection against sparks, debris, and radiant heat.

Purpose:

The primary purpose of welding glasses is to prevent:

• Arc Eye (Photokeratitis): A painful inflammation of the cornea caused by exposure to UV radiation from the welding arc.
• Retinal Damage: Intense light can cause burns to the retina, leading to vision impairment or blindness.
• Skin Burns: UV and IR radiation can cause burns to the skin around the eyes and face.
• Debris Impact: Protection from sparks, molten metal, and other particulate matter.

Function:

Welding glasses function by:

• UV Filtration: Blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation.
• IR Filtration: Blocking infrared radiation, reducing heat exposure.
• Visible Light Attenuation: Reducing the intensity of visible light to a safe level.
• Impact Resistance: Providing a barrier against flying debris.

Usage Scenarios:

Welding glasses are essential in any welding application, including:

• Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/Stick Welding)
• Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG Welding)
• Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG Welding)
• Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)
• Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)
• Plasma Cutting and Welding

Common Types:

• Passive Welding Glasses: These are traditional glasses with a fixed shade lens. They are cost-effective but require the welder to select the appropriate shade for the welding amperage.
• Auto-Darkening Welding Glasses (ADF): These glasses automatically adjust the lens shade based on the intensity of the welding arc. They offer greater convenience and protection, allowing the welder to see clearly before and after welding. ADFs are powered by batteries or solar cells.
• Flip-Up Welding Glasses: These glasses have a flip-up lens that can be quickly raised to provide clear vision when not welding. They are suitable for quick tack welding or situations where frequent switching between welding and non-welding tasks is required.
• Welding Goggles: Provide a more enclosed fit and better peripheral protection than glasses, particularly useful in overhead welding or applications with significant debris.
• Shade Number Selection: The appropriate shade number depends on the welding process and amperage. ANSI Z87.1 standards provide guidelines for shade selection. Lower amperage welding requires lighter shades (e.g., shade 5), while higher amperage welding requires darker shades (e.g., shade 10-14).

The declared goods, “special glasses for welding,” fall under items designed for protective purposes. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes based on the provided information:

• 9004.90.00.10: This HS code covers “Spectacles, goggles and the like, corrective, protective or other: Other Safety glasses or safety goggles.” Chapter 90 pertains to optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof. Heading 9004 specifically addresses spectacles and goggles. The subheading 9004.90.00.10 denotes other safety glasses or safety goggles, which would encompass welding glasses due to their protective function. The total tax rate is 40.0%, comprised of a basic tariff of 2.5% and an additional tariff of 7.5%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.

• 3926.90.40.00: This HS code covers “Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: Other: Imitation gemstones.” While not a direct match, if the welding glasses incorporate plastic components or features resembling gemstones (e.g., decorative elements), this code may be relevant. Chapter 39 covers plastics and articles thereof. Heading 3926 covers other articles of plastics. The subheading 3926.90.40.00 specifically refers to imitation gemstones. The total tax rate is 32.8%, consisting of a basic tariff of 2.8% and an additional tariff of 0.0%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.

• 3926.90.99.89: This HS code covers “Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: Other: Other.” If the welding glasses are primarily made of plastic and do not fall under more specific classifications within Chapter 39, this code may apply. The total tax rate is 42.8%, comprised of a basic tariff of 5.3% and an additional tariff of 7.5%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.

• 3924.90.56.50: This HS code covers “Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastics: Other: Other.” While not a direct match, if the welding glasses are considered a protective household article, this code may be relevant. The total tax rate is 40.9%, comprised of a basic tariff of 3.4% and an additional tariff of 7.5%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.

• 3924.90.56.10: This HS code covers “Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and hygienic or toilet articles, of plastics: Other: Other Gates for confining children or pets.” This code is included as a note that "special glasses" could be considered a protective item, similar in function to gates for confinement. The total tax rate is 40.9%, comprised of a basic tariff of 3.4% and an additional tariff of 7.5%, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.

It is important to note that the applicable HS code will depend on the specific materials used in the welding glasses and their intended function.