Finger Guards
CN → US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9021100090 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9021908100 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
Product Images
AI Analysis
🛡️ Finger Guards (Finger Protection Devices)
🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Import Strategy
📌 One, Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Understand “Finger Guards”?
Finger guards are safety devices designed to prevent fingers or hands from coming into contact with hazardous moving parts, sharp edges, or pinch points in machinery, tools, or industrial equipment. They are commonly used in manufacturing, woodworking, packaging, and automation systems.
In international trade, finger guards are classified under medical and orthopedic appliances only if they are worn on the body to compensate for a disability or defect. However, standard industrial finger guards (e.g., guards on machinery) fall under safety equipment, not medical devices.
⚠️ Critical Distinction:
- If the guard is worn on the body (e.g., as a wearable protective glove or finger splint) → Medical/Orthopedic Appliance
- If the guard is attached to machinery or tools (e.g., metal or plastic covers on conveyor belts, presses, or saws) → Industrial Safety Equipment, not medical
- Only wearable, body-attached guards are classified under HS Code 9021.10.00.90 or 9021.90.81.00
📦 Two, HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Use Case | Wearable? | Body-Attached? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9021.10.00.90 |
Orthopedic or fracture appliances, and parts and accessories thereof | Finger splints, protective braces, surgical trusses for hand/finger injuries | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
9021.90.81.00 |
Other orthopedic appliances, including hearing aids, implants, wearable aids | Non-specific orthopedic devices, wearable safety guards for disability compensation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
8479.89.90.00 |
Parts and accessories of machinery (e.g., guards on industrial machines) | Fixed guards on presses, conveyors, saws, etc. | ❌ No | ❌ No |
9021.90.89.00 |
Other parts and accessories of orthopedic appliances | Replacement parts, straps, clips for finger guards | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
🔍 Key Insight:
- Only wearable, body-attached finger guards (e.g., splints, braces, protective sleeves) are classified under 9021.10.00.90 or 9021.90.81.00
- Machinery-mounted guards (e.g., metal covers on industrial presses) are not medical devices and must be declared under 8479.89.90.00 (parts of machinery), not 9021
💰 Three, 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including附加 Taxes & Policy Add-ons)
✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (including future imports)
🎯 1. 9021.10.00.90 — Orthopedic or fracture appliances (including finger guards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% (ad valorem) |
| USITC Additional Duty | 0.0% (no 301 tariff applied) |
| IEEPA Additional Duty | 0.0% (no emergency economic power tariff) |
| Total Tax Rate | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 0.0% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ✅ Yes (5% de minimis applies) |
| Legal Basis Path | 9021.10.00.90 → No footnote or附加 duty applies |
📌 Explanation:
- This code does not trigger any附加 tariffs (301, IEEPA, etc.)
- Even if imported from China, no additional duties are applied
- 0% total tax → highly favorable for medical-grade finger guards
🎯 2. 9021.90.81.00 — Other orthopedic appliances (including wearable safety guards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% |
| USITC Additional Duty | 0.0% |
| IEEPA Additional Duty | 0.0% |
| Total Tax Rate | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 0.0% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ✅ Yes (5% de minimis applies) |
| Legal Basis Path | 9021.90.81.00 → No附加 duty footnote |
📌 Note:
- This code is not subject to any additional tariffs
- Even if the product is worn on the body to prevent injury (e.g., protective finger sleeve for disabled users), no 301 or IEEPA duty applies
- 0% total tax → ideal for medical or assistive wearable devices
🛠️ Four, Customs Clearance Practical Tips (Real-World Pro Tips)
✅ 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have List)
| Document | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Product Specification Sheet | ✔️ | Include material, size, intended use (medical vs. industrial) |
| ✅ Medical Certification (if applicable) | ✔️ | FDA Class I/II certification, CE Mark, ISO 13485 |
| ✅ Product Photos (with label) | ✔️ | Show wearable design, brand, model, and intended use |
| ✅ Declaration of Use | ✔️ | Must state: “Wearable finger guard for medical disability compensation” |
| ✅ Commercial Invoice | ✔️ | Clearly state: “Orthopedic Finger Guard – Wearable Medical Device” |
| ✅ Certificate of Origin (CO) | ✔️ | If from non-China, may qualify for preferential treatment |
| ✅ Packing List | ✔️ | Distinguish between medical wearable and industrial guards |
✅ 2. Declaration Strategy (Golden Rules)
🔥 “Wearable = Medical, Fixed = Machinery. Label it right, pay zero tax!”
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Code | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finger guard worn on hand to prevent injury from disability | 9021.10.00.90 or 9021.90.81.00 |
8479.89.90.00 |
Tax = 0% vs. 2.5% (machinery parts) |
| Guard fixed to a machine (e.g., on a press) | 8479.89.90.00 |
9021.10.00.90 |
Misclassification → penalty + delay |
| Protective sleeve for factory worker (non-medical) | 8479.89.90.00 |
9021.90.81.00 |
Risk of audit & reclassification |
✅ 3. Special Cases Handling
| Situation | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Finger guard used in both medical and industrial settings | Declare based on primary use. If worn on body for disability → use 9021 codes |
| Rechargeable or smart finger guard (with sensors) | Still classified under 9021.90.81.00 if wearable and medical |
| Sold as part of a medical kit (e.g., for rehab) | Use 9021.90.81.00 with “Medical Accessory” label |
| Used in manufacturing (non-medical) | Must use 8479.89.90.00 – do not use 9021 codes |
🌍 Five, Global Market Customs Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | 9021.10.00.90 or 9021.90.81.00 |
0.0% | FDA, CE, ISO 13485 | No附加 duty |
| 🇨🇳 China | 9021.10.00.90 |
5% | CCC, CE | No附加 tax |
| 🇪🇺 European Union | 9021.10.00.90 |
0% (if CE compliant) | CE, ISO 13485 | No附加 tax |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 9021.90.81.00 |
5% | RCM | No附加 tax |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 9021.90.81.00 |
0% | PSE | No附加 tax |
📌 Conclusion:
- All major markets treat wearable medical finger guards with 0% or low tariffs
- No附加 duties apply to 9021.10.00.90 or 9021.90.81.00
- Only industrial guards are subject to machinery tariffs
📌 Six, Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Learn from Others’ Errors)
❌ Mistake 1: Declaring a factory-mounted finger guard as 9021.10.00.90
👉 Result: Rejection, penalty, reclassification → delay + cost
❌ Mistake 2: Using “Safety Guard” as product name without clarifying wearable vs. fixed
👉 Result: Customs may assume industrial use → wrong HS code
❌ Mistake 3: Not providing medical certification for wearable guards
👉 Result: Delayed clearance, request for additional documentation
❌ Mistake 4: Selling same product in two markets (medical & industrial) without separate labeling
👉 Result: Risk of audit and penalties in one market
✅ Best Practice:
Use clear product naming:
- ✅ “Wearable Finger Guard for Orthopedic Use – Medical Device”
- ✅ “Protective Finger Splint – Designed for Hand Injury Recovery”
- ❌ Avoid: “Safety Guard for Machinery” if it’s wearable
🎯 Seven, Final Verdict: Accurate Classification = Zero Tax, Smooth Clearance!
🎯 Remember the Golden Rule:
🔹 “Wearable = 9021, Fixed = 8479. Label it right, pay zero tax!”
🔹 “If it’s worn on the body for disability, it’s medical — not industrial!”
📌 Pro Tip:
If your finger guard is wearable and used for medical rehabilitation, apply for a pre-ruling (Advance Ruling) from U.S. Customs to lock in the 0% tax rate and avoid future disputes.
📣 Take Action Now:
📞 Contact a licensed customs broker + Provide product photos + Request HS Code pre-ruling
🚀 Ensure your medical wearable finger guards clear customs fast, cheap, and without risk!
✨ Smart Exporting Starts with Smart Classification!
💼 Your product’s success depends on one correct HS Code — get it right the first time!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) — Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) — More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) — Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) — Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate — The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate — Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties — Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.