Hard Disk Caddy
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8473309100 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926909989 | 22.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 7616995150 | 37.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 8473305100 | 85.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926305000 | 22.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
πΎ Hard Disk Caddy (HDD Caddy)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional-Level Entry Strategies
π 1. Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Understand the "Hard Disk Caddy"?
A Hard Disk Caddy (also known as an HDD Bay Adapter or Drive Enclosure Bracket) is a structural accessory used to hold and secure hard drives (HDD) or solid-state drives (SSD) within a computer chassis, laptop bay, or server rack.
In international trade, classification depends heavily on material composition and functional integration:
- Structural Brackets (Metal/Plastic): Simple mechanical holders with no electronic function.
- Computer Peripherals (Electronic): If the caddy includes active components like USB bridges, RAID controllers, or power regulation circuits, it may be classified as a computer accessory.
- General Parts: Often viewed as "parts of machines" (Chapter 84) if specifically designed for data processing machines.
β οΈ Key Distinction Point:
- If it is purely a passive mechanical bracket (metal/plastic) β Likely falls under Chapter 73/76 (Metal) or Chapter 39 (Plastic) general provisions.
- If it is an active electronic adapter or strictly defined as a part of an automatic data processing machine β Falls under Chapter 84 (8473).
π¦ 2. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)
Based on the provided data, here are the five potential HS Codes with their corresponding tax structures:
| HS Code | Product Description | Application Scenario | Total Tax Rate | Key Tax Components |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7616.99.51.50 | Other Articles of Aluminum Brackets/Supports, Aluminum Material |
Metal brackets specifically made of aluminum | 37.5% | Base: 2.5% Section 301: 25.0% Section 122: 10% |
| 8473.30.51.00 | Parts and Accessories of Machines, Apparatus... (Other) Computer Peripherals/Parts |
Caddy considered a specific computer accessory/part | 85.0% | Base: 0.0% Section 301: 25.0% Section 122: 10% Special Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge: 50% |
| 3926.30.50.00 | Other Articles of Plastic Plastic Connectors/Parts |
Plastic caddy bodies or connectors | 22.8% | Base: 5.3% Section 301: 7.5% Section 122: 10% |
| 8473.30.91.00 | Other Parts and Accessories of Automatic Data Processing Machines Highly Matching Machine Parts |
Caddy as a generic part for ADP machines | 35.0% | Base: 0.0% Section 301: 25.0% Section 122: 10% |
| 3926.90.99.89 | Other Articles of Plastic General Plastic Components |
General plastic caddy/support without specific connector function | 22.8% | Base: 5.3% Section 301: 7.5% Section 122: 10% |
π Critical Insight:
- The 8473.30.51.00 code carries the highest burden (85.0%) due to the 50% additional tariff on steel/aluminum/copper products in addition to Section 301 and 122 tariffs. This is likely due to the material composition (metal bracket) triggering the heavy surcharge. - The Plastic options (3926) offer the lowest effective rate (22.8%), making them the most cost-effective if the product is plastic. - The 8473.30.91.00 code offers a middle ground (35.0%) with no base duty but still incurs the 25% + 10% add-ons.
π° 3. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Surcharges & Policy Add-ons)
β Applicable Country: USA (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: Current/2025-2026 Period
π― 1. 7616.99.51.50 ββ Aluminum Articles (Metal Bracket)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 2.5% |
| Section 301 Surcharge | +25.0% |
| Section 122 Surcharge | +10.0% |
| Total Rate | 37.5% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 37.5% |
| Note | Applies specifically to Aluminum structural articles. Lower than the 85% metal surcharge code. |
π― 2. 8473.30.51.00 ββ Computer Parts (Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge Applies)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 0.0% |
| Section 301 Surcharge | +25.0% |
| Section 122 Surcharge | +10.0% |
| Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge | +50.0% |
| Total Rate | 85.0% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 85.0% |
| Note | β οΈ HIGH RISK: This code triggers the specific 50% surcharge for ferrous/non-ferrous metal products under specific trade provisions. Avoid if possible. |
π― 3. 3926.30.50.00 / 3926.90.99.89 ββ Plastic Articles
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 5.3% |
| Section 301 Surcharge | +7.5% |
| Section 122 Surcharge | +10.0% |
| Total Rate | 22.8% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 22.8% |
| Note | β LOWEST COST: Plastic components do not trigger the heavy 50% metal surcharge. The Section 301 rate is also lower (7.5% vs 25% for some metal codes). |
π― 4. 8473.30.91.00 ββ Other ADP Machine Parts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 0.0% |
| Section 301 Surcharge | +25.0% |
| Section 122 Surcharge | +10.0% |
| Total Rate | 35.0% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 35.0% |
| Note | Suitable if the caddy is deemed a "part of the machine" but not triggering the specific 50% metal surcharge of 8473.30.51.00. |
π οΈ 4. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Strategic Pitfall Avoidance)
β 1. Material Strategy is Key
| Material | Recommended HS Code | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic | 3926.30.50.00 or 3926.90.99.89 |
Lowest Tax (22.8%). Avoids the 25% Section 301 rate and the 50% metal surcharge. |
| Aluminum (Generic) | 7616.99.51.50 |
Moderate Tax (37.5%). Better than 8473.30.51.00 because it doesn't trigger the 50% specific metal surcharge. |
| Steel/Aluminum (Computer Part) | 8473.30.51.00 |
Highest Tax (85.0%). AVOID. The 50% surcharge makes this economically unviable for most imports. |
| Universal "Part" | 8473.30.91.00 |
Moderate Tax (35.0%). Good alternative if plastic isn't an option and you want to argue it's a machine part. |
β 2. Declaration Tips (Crucial Keywords)
π₯ "Material Determines Rate, Function Determines Chapter!"
| Situation | Correct Declaration Strategy | Incorrect Action |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Caddy | Declare as "Plastic Support Bracket" or "Plastic Connector Part" β HS 3926 |
Declaring as "Computer Part" β Might get audited for 8473, but 3926 is safer/lower tax. |
| Metal Bracket | Declare as "Aluminum Structural Support" β HS 7616 |
Declaring as "Steel Computer Part" β Triggers 8473.30.51.00 β 85% Tax. |
| Active Caddy (with circuit) | Declare as "Adapter with Bridge Controller" β HS 8473.30.91.00 |
Declaring as simple bracket β Misclassification risk. |
| Laptop Bay Caddy | Specify "Adapter for 9.5mm/12.7mm Drive Bay" | Vague term "Caddy" β Customs may default to worst-case classification. |
β 3. Documentation Requirements
| Document | Necessity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Product Photos | β Mandatory | To prove material (Plastic vs. Metal) and structure. |
| Bill of Materials (BOM) | β High Priority | To confirm % of plastic/metal. If >50% plastic, 3926 is justifiable. |
| Functional Description | β High Priority | Clarify if it has electronic components. If passive, argue for Chapter 39/76. |
| HS Code Pre-Ruling | β Recommended | Given the 85% vs 22.8% difference, a pre-ruling from CBP is highly valuable for metal brackets. |
π 5. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Country | Recommended HS | Tax (China Origin) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 3926 (Plastic) |
22.8% | Avoid 8473.30.51.00 (85%). Use 7616 for metal (37.5%). |
| πΊπΈ USA | 8473.30.91.00 |
35.0% | Alternative for metal if 7616 is not applicable. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 3926 / 7616 |
Low (0-3%) | No Section 301/122 add-ons. |
| π¨π³ China | 8473 |
0-5% | Domestic use or re-export. |
π Conclusion:
- The USA is the most complex market for Hard Disk Caddies due to the layered tariffs (Base + Sec 301 + Sec 122 + Metal Surcharge). - Plastic Caddies are the most cost-effective for US export (22.8%). - Metal Caddies face a critical crossroad: Choose7616(37.5%) over8473.30.51.00(85%) to save nearly half the tax burden.
π 6. Common Errors & Pitfall Guide
β Error 1: Declaring a Metal Bracket as "Computer Part" (8473.30.51.00)
π Consequence: Tax jumps to 85% due to the 50% metal surcharge.
π‘ Fix: Re-classify as "Aluminum Article" (7616.99.51.50) for 37.5%.
β Error 2: Declaring a Plastic Caddy as "Computer Part"
π Consequence: Might attract scrutiny or higher base rates.
π‘ Fix: Declare under 3926 for the lower 22.8% rate and simpler compliance.
β Error 3: Ignoring Section 122
π Consequence: Forgetting the 10% add-on on all codes leads to underpayment and penalties.
π‘ Fix: Always include the 10% Section 122 in calculations for all HS codes from China.
β Correct Strategy:
Maximize Plastic Content. If the caddy is primarily plastic, use HS 3926. If metal, ensure it is declared as Aluminum Structural Article (7616) rather than a Computer Part to avoid the 50% surcharge.
π― 7. Conclusion: Professional Classification Saves Money!
π― Remember the Mantra:
πΉ "Plastic is King (22.8%), Aluminum is Prince (37.5%), Computer Metal is Disaster (85%)!"
πΉ "Don't call it a 'Part' if it's just a 'Bracket'. Material defines the tariff!"
π Pro Tip:
If you must ship metal caddies, consider pre-ruling with CBP using the 7616.99.51.50 code to officially exempt them from the 50% Section 301 metal surcharge attached to 8473.30.51.00.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Audit your BOM. Switch to plastic components if possible.
π Revise Invoice Descriptions: "Aluminum Drive Support Bracket" vs "Hard Drive Computer Part".
π Optimize your supply chain to absorb the 22.8% instead of 85% tariff.
β¨ Expert Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
πΌ Every percentage point saved is pure profit!
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) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β 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 β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β 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.