Taps — HTS 8481
Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves; parts thereof
Chapter 84 › Heading 8481
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 8481 is a broad product category for devices that control, direct, regulate, or shut off the flow of liquids or gases through pipes and similar systems. It includes taps, cocks, valves, and related appliances used with pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats, or comparable equipment. The heading also covers pressure-reducing valves, thermostatically controlled valves, and parts of these devices.
A merchant narrows heading 8481 to a specific 8-digit HTSUS code by identifying the product’s function and construction. The subheadings commonly distinguish types of valves or appliances, whether the item is a complete device or a part, and sometimes the material or principal material. Review the full tariff description, legal notes, and any relevant classification guidance rather than choosing a code based only on a product name.
What to check
- Identify the device’s primary function: shutoff, check, pressure reduction, temperature control, mixing, flow regulation, or another function.
- Confirm whether you are classifying a complete valve or appliance, an identifiable part, or a general component that may belong elsewhere.
- Record the product’s construction details, including body material, internal materials, connections, operating mechanism, and whether it is thermostatically or pressure controlled.
- Compare the product’s technical specifications and intended use with every applicable 8-digit description under heading 8481; do not rely on marketing names alone.
- Check the current HTSUS, section and chapter notes, binding rulings, and broker or customs-professional guidance when the design or principal material is unclear.
HTS heading 8481 summary
Taps is a 4-digit product category containing 3 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 8481.30 | Check (nonreturn) valves |
| 8481.80 | Other appliances |
| 8481.90 | Parts |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8481.10.00 👉 | Pressure-reducing valves | 2% | Free | 35% |
| 8481.20.00 👉 | Valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions | 2% | Free | 35% |
| 8481.40.00.00 👉 | Safety or relief valves | 2% | Free | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8481?
Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves; parts thereof. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.