Sliding Plate
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9506996080 | 21.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9506996040 | 21.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9503000073 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9506702090 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9506910030 | 22.1% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9503000090 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
πΉ Sliding Plate (Skateboards)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Clearance Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly is a "Sliding Plate"?
In international trade, the term "Sliding Plate" typically refers to Skateboards. However, their classification depends heavily on their intended use (sports vs. toys) and material composition.
Core Distinction:
- Sports Equipment: If the skateboard is designed for general exercise, outdoor sports, or professional use (e.g., standard 7-ply maple wood decks, aluminum trucks, polyurethane wheels), it falls under Chapter 95.06 (Articles and equipment for general physical exercise...).
- Toys: If the skateboard is smaller, simpler, or marketed specifically as a toy for children (e.g., plastic decks, non-professional grade), it may fall under Chapter 95.03 (Toys, reduced-size ("scale") models...).
β οΈ Critical Classification Point:
- If it is a standard sports skateboard β Goes to 9506.99 (Other sports equipment).
- If it is a toy skateboard β Goes to 9503.00 (Other toys).
- Misclassification Risk: Declaring a sports skateboard as a toy to avoid higher tariffs (or vice versa) can lead to severe customs penalties, back-taxes, and shipment delays.
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Matrix (2026 Latest Tariff Rules)
Based on the provided data, here are the 5 possible HS Codes for "Sliding Plates" (Skateboards), sorted by classification logic:
| HS Code | Product Description | Intended Use | Material / Notes |
|--------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
| 9506.99.60.80 | Other sports equipment and apparatus | Sports/Exercise | Wood or Plastic deck. High tariff due to metal/aluminum components. |
| 9506.99.60.40 | Other sports equipment and apparatus | Sports/Exercise | Wood or Plastic deck. Standard sports classification. |
| 9506.91.00.30 | General sports goods or outdoor equipment | Sports/Exercise | Wooden or plastic board material. Note: Includes steel/aluminum surcharges. |
| 9503.00.00.73 | Tricycles, scooters, and similar wheeled toys | Toys | Classified as a wheeled toy. |
| 9503.00.00.90 | Other toys (unspecified) | Toys | Skateboards/scooters categorized under general toys. |
| 9506.70.20.90 | Other sports equipment (not roller skates) | Sports/Exercise | Explicitly NOT roller skates. Includes metal surcharges. |
π Key Insight:
- HS 9506 Series (Sports): Generally used for standard, adult-oriented skateboards.
- HS 9503 Series (Toys): Used for smaller, child-oriented, or simplified skateboard toys.
- Material Matters: Codes like9506.99.60.80and9506.70.20.90explicitly mention Steel, Aluminum, and Copper surcharges, implying these skateboards have metal trucks/axles.
π° III. 2026 Tariff Rate Breakdown (Detailed Tax Analysis)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Note: Rates include Base Tariff + Section 301 (7.5%) + Section 301 (122 Clause 10%) + Special Metal Surcharges (50%) if applicable.
π― 1. 9506.99.60.80 β Sports Equipment (Wood/Plastic with Metal Parts)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 4.0% |
| Section 301 Tariff | 7.5% |
| Section 122 Clause Tariff | 10% |
| Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge | 50% β οΈ |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 21.5% |
| Calculation Basis | CIF Value Γ 21.5% |
| Why so high? | The skateboard contains aluminum trucks or steel axles, triggering the 50% metal surcharge on top of other duties. |
π― 2. 9506.99.60.40 β Sports Equipment (Standard)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 4.0% |
| Section 301 Tariff | 7.5% |
| Section 122 Clause Tariff | 10% |
| Metal Surcharge | 0% |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 21.5% |
| Calculation Basis | CIF Value Γ 21.5% |
| Note | Same total rate as above, but no explicit metal surcharge listed in summary. Likely still subject to high combined duties. |
π― 3. 9506.91.00.30 β General Sports Goods (With Metal Surcharges)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 4.6% |
| Section 301 Tariff | 7.5% |
| Section 122 Clause Tariff | 10% |
| Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge | 50% β οΈ |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 22.1% |
| Calculation Basis | CIF Value Γ 22.1% |
| Note | Slightly higher base rate (4.6%) compared to others, plus the heavy 50% metal surcharge. |
π― 4. 9506.70.20.90 β Other Sports Equipment (Non-Roller Skates)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 0.0% |
| Section 301 Tariff | 0.0% |
| Section 122 Clause Tariff | 10% |
| Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge | 50% β οΈ |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 10.0% |
| Calculation Basis | CIF Value Γ 10% |
| Note | Lowest base tax, but the 50% metal surcharge is applied. Wait, the summary says 10.0% total. Let's re-read: "Total Tax: 10.0%". This implies the 50% surcharge might be calculated differently or the summary aggregates it. However, the tax detail lists "Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge: 50%". Correction: If the total is 10%, it might be that the 50% is not additive in the same way, or the example data implies a specific calculation. Actually, looking at the data: 9506.70.20.90 has Total Tax 10.0%. Tax Detail: Base 0, 301 0, 122 10, Metal 50%. This seems contradictory if additive. However, we must follow the Total Tax: 10.0% provided in the source data. |
| Strategy | This is the lowest rate among sports codes. Verify if the metal components truly trigger the 50% surcharge in practice. |
π― 5. 9503.00.00.73 & 9503.00.00.90 β Toy Skateboards
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 0.0% |
| Section 301 Tariff | 0.0% |
| Section 122 Clause Tariff | 10% |
| Metal Surcharge | 0% |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 10.0% |
| Calculation Basis | CIF Value Γ 10.0% |
| Note | Lowest overall tariff. If the product can be legitimately classified as a toy (smaller size, child-oriented, simpler construction), this offers significant cost savings compared to sports equipment. |
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Avoiding Pitfalls)
β 1. Documentation Checklist (Essential for Clearance)
| Document | Required? | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Product Specification Sheet | β Yes | Details material (wood/plastic/metal), dimensions, weight. |
| Product Photos | β Yes | Must show the board clearly to prove it's a skateboard, not roller skates. |
| Usage Statement | β Yes | Define if it's for "Sports/Exercise" or "Children's Toy". |
| Commercial Invoice | β Yes | Must match HS Code description (e.g., "Skateboard for Sports" vs. "Toy Skateboard"). |
| Origin Certificate | β Yes | Confirm China origin to apply correct Section 301/122 duties. |
β 2. Classification Strategy (The "Toy" vs. "Sports" Dilemma)
| Scenario | Recommended HS Code | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 31-inch Maple Deck, Aluminum Trucks | 9506.99.60.40 or 9506.91.00.30 |
Clearly sports equipment. Expect ~21.5-22.1% duty. |
| Small Plastic Board, Bright Colors, <24 inches | 9503.00.00.73 or 9503.00.00.90 |
Can be argued as a toy. Lower 10% duty. |
| Mixed Material (Wood Deck + Steel Axles) | 9506.99.60.80 or 9506.70.20.90 |
Triggers metal surcharges. |
π₯ Golden Rule:
"Toy Classification Saves Money, But Must Be Justified!"
If you declare a standard adult skateboard as a "Toy" to save 11.5% in duty, Customs may reject it, impose penalties, and retroactively charge the higher sports rate. Only use Toy HS Codes if the product is genuinely small/simple/child-oriented.
β 3. Special Alerts on Metal Surcharges
- Codes Ending in .80 and .30: Explicitly mention "Steel, Aluminum, Copper Products Surcharge: 50%".
- Why? The trucks (axles) and hardware are made of metal.
- Impact: Even if the base tax is 0%, the 50% surcharge can drastically increase costs. However, in the provided data, the Total Tax for
9506.70.20.90is listed as 10.0%, which suggests the 50% might be calculated on the metal value portion only, or there is a specific interpretation. Always verify with your customs broker.
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Market | Recommended HS | Estimated Duty (China Origin) | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 9506.99.60.40 (Sports) or 9503.00.00.73 (Toy) |
10.0% - 22.1% | FCC/CPSC certification if toy; Safety standards if sports. |
| π¨π³ China | 9506.99.60.40 |
~10-15% (VAT + Tariff) | CCC certification may apply. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 9503.00.00 (Toy) or 9506.99 (Sports) |
0% - 5% (Standard MFN) | CE Marking (Toy) or EN 14619 (Sports). |
| π¬π§ UK | Same as EU | 0% - 5% | UKCA Marking. |
π Conclusion:
- The US market is the most complex due to Section 301, Section 122, and potential metal surcharges.
- Toy classification (HS 9503) offers the lowest duty (10%) but requires strict adherence to toy definitions.
- Sports classification (HS 9506) is safer for standard boards but costs ~21.5-22.1%.
π VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Learn from Others' Pain)
β Mistake 1: Declaring a large, professional skateboard as a "Toy" to save duty.
π Result: Customs seizes shipment, demands back-taxes + penalties.
β
Fix: Only use HS 9503 for small, child-sized, or simplified boards.
β Mistake 2: Ignoring metal content in HS 9506 codes.
π Result: Unexpected 50% surcharge on aluminum trucks.
β
Fix: Check if HS Code details include "Steel/Aluminum/Copper Surcharge". If yes, budget accordingly.
β Mistake 3: Confusing Skateboards with Roller Skates.
π Result: Roller skates have different HS codes and duties.
β
Fix: Ensure description clearly states "Skateboard" and not "Roller Skates".
π― VII. Conclusion: Smart Classification for Max Profit
π― Key Takeaways:
1. Toy vs. Sports: Use HS 9503 (10% duty) for child-sized/simple boards. Use HS 9506 (21.5% duty) for standard/adult boards.
2. Metal Surcharges: Be aware of the 50% surcharge on codes like 9506.99.60.80 and 9506.70.20.90.
3. Documentation: Provide clear photos and specs to prove the intended use (Toy vs. Sports).
π‘ Pro Tip:
If you are exporting standard skateboards, expect ~21.5% duty.
If you can market your product as a "Mini Skateboard" or "Child's Toy", aim for HS 9503 to pay only 10% duty.
Always consult a licensed customs broker for final classification.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Contact your customs broker with product photos and material specs.
π Decide: Toy (Save money, higher risk) or Sports (Safe, higher cost).
π Clear customs smoothly, minimize taxes, maximize profits!
β¨ Professional clearance starts with precise classification!
πΌ Every percentage point matters in global trade!
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.