HS-2 · Chapter 92
HS chapter 92: Musical instruments
Section XVIII — Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; clocks and watches; musical instruments; parts and accessories thereof
Musical instruments and their accessories, such as pianos and guitars, fall under HS-92. This chapter includes everything from stringed instruments to percussion and wind instruments, making it essential for importers and exporters dealing with musical goods. For example, if you're shipping a shipment of electric guitars, you'll need to classify them correctly under HS-92.
To determine the appropriate HS-4 code, start by identifying the specific type of instrument or accessory. For instance, if you have a shipment of violins, you would look at HS-9202. Pay attention to the detailed descriptions in the headings, as they help narrow down your selection based on the instrument's characteristics and intended use.
Next, drill down to HS-6 by checking the notes and subheadings. For example, if you're dealing with a keyboard instrument, you might consider HS-9201 for pianos or HS-9207 for electrically amplified instruments. Ensure you review any relevant notes that might clarify distinctions between similar items, like the difference between acoustic and electric instruments.
Terms & reference phrasing
These phrases describe how this chapter is discussed in trade, customs, and search—they stay on this page for context; they are not search shortcuts.
musical instruments · pianos · guitars · string instruments · wind instruments · percussion instruments · musical accessories · HS-92 · HS-9201 · HS-9202 · HS-9205 · HS-9206 · HS-9207 · HS-9209 · musical instrument parts · shipping musical instruments · trade compliance musical goods · import export musical instruments
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Related topics
Longer phrases that come up when you're comparing codes or talking to a broker.
- how to classify musical instruments for customs
- HS codes for different types of guitars
- requirements for importing pianos
- shipping regulations for wind instruments
- understanding HS-92 for musical goods
- differences between HS-9201 and HS-9202
- guidelines for exporting percussion instruments
- what to check for musical instrument accessories
Examples & common questions
Example products are typical trade descriptions. Questions below are how people often frame classification for this chapter—use them as reading context, then confirm against your tariff book and legal notes.
Example products
- Electric guitars shipped in bulk packaging
- Grand pianos with protective covers
- Handmade violins in padded cases
- Accordion shipments with accessories
- Drum sets with hardware included
- Wind instruments like trumpets in cases
- Mechanical musical boxes for collectors
- Parts for musical instruments, such as tuning forks
Common classification questions
- What is the HS code for electric guitars?
- How do I classify pianos for import?
- Are there special regulations for musical instruments?
- What are the different types of musical instruments in HS-92?
- How to determine the right HS-4 code for violins?
- What accessories fall under HS-9209?
- Can I ship musical boxes without special permits?
- What is the difference between HS-9205 and HS-9206?
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What is included in HS-92?
- HS-92 includes musical instruments like pianos, guitars, and percussion instruments, along with their parts and accessories.
- How do I find the correct HS-4 code?
- Identify the specific type of instrument or accessory you are dealing with and consult the detailed headings in HS-92.
- Are there specific import regulations for musical instruments?
- Yes, some musical instruments may require special permits or compliance with specific regulations depending on their type and use.
- What should I check when classifying musical accessories?
- Review the notes and descriptions for HS-9209 to ensure accurate classification of parts and accessories for musical instruments.
- Can I ship mechanical musical boxes without special documentation?
- Generally, mechanical musical boxes can be shipped without special documentation, but check local regulations for any specific requirements.
All HS-4 headings in chapter 92 (7)
Each HS-4 links to a dedicated page with plain-English explanation, HS-6 subheadings, and FAQs. Use Browse to open the lookup in heading mode for that line.
| HS-4 | WCO heading text | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| 9201 | Pianos; including automatic pianos, harpsichords and other keyboard stringed instruments | |
| 9202 | Musical instruments; string, n.e.c. in heading no. 9201, (e.g. guitars, violins, harps) | |
| 9205 | Musical instruments; wind (e.g. keyboard pipe organs, accordions, clarinets, trumpets, bagpipes), other than fairground organs and mechanical street organs | |
| 9206 | Musical instruments; percussion (e.g. drums, xylophones, cymbals, castanets, maracas) | |
| 9207 | Musical instruments; the sound of which is produced or must be amplified, electrically (e.g. organs, guitars, accordions) | |
| 9208 | Musical boxes, fairground and mechanical street organs, mechanical singing birds, musical saws and musical instruments n.e.c. in chapter 92; decoy calls of all kinds; whistles; call horns and other mouth-blown sound signalling instruments | |
| 9209 | Musical instrument parts (for example, mechanisms for musical boxes) and accessories (for example, cards, discs and rolls for mechanical instruments); metronomes, tuning forks and pitch pipes |
Browse first heading (HS-4 9201)
Opens the lookup in heading browse for the first HS-4 block in this chapter (9201). Prefer the table above for a specific HS-4 page with full copy.
Before you file customs documents
Chapter pages on TradeTools are educational summaries, not legal classification determinations. Cross-check candidate codes with official notes, advance rulings where available, and your broker for high-value or borderline goods.
How we classify products explains what TradeTools does (and does not) automate.