Home / April 2026 CBLE / Question 33

Solenoid valve controlling airflow in a vehicle's suspension: which subheading?

April 2026 examClassificationQuestion 33 of 80

Of the four choices below, which is the best CLASSIFICATION of a solenoid valve used to control the airflow within the suspension system of a motor vehicle?

How to get there

1. Heading: 8481, not 8708 or 8479 (GRI 1)

HTSUS heading 8481Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, including pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves …

A valve is named in heading 8481. It's tempting to classify it as a motor-vehicle part in 8708, but the Section XVII notes exclude articles of heading 8481 from being treated as "parts" of vehicles (Section XVII, Note 2(e)). And 8479 only covers machines "not specified or included elsewhere," while valves are specified in 8481.

2. Subheading (GRI 6)

HTSUS 84818481.20 Valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions
8481.80 Other appliances → 8481.80.90 Other → 8481.80.90.05 Solenoid valves

CBP's key places this valve in 8481.80.9005, the statistical line for solenoid valves among "other appliances." That's B.

Note
An honest caveat: the line between 8481.20 (pneumatic transmissions) and 8481.80 depends on the facts. CBP has classified a pneumatic ride-height leveling valve for trucks in 8481.20.0080 (ruling N189757). On this question, CBP's key treats an airflow-control solenoid valve as 8481.80.9005. If you see a near-identical question, read the description closely: "solenoid valve controlling airflow" → 8481.80.9005, as keyed here.

Why the other choices are wrong

A) 8479.89.9599: a residual heading for machines "not specified or included elsewhere." Valves are specified in 8481.
C) 8481.20.0060: the solenoid line under valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions. CBP's key doesn't treat this suspension airflow valve as part of a pneumatic transmission (see the caveat above).
D) 8708.99.8180: motor-vehicle parts. Excluded, because Section XVII Note 2(e) keeps articles of heading 8481 out of Section XVII.

Sources: HTSUS heading 8481; subheadings 8481.20, 8481.80.90.05; Section XVII Note 2(e) (USITC HTS); CBP ruling N189757 (for contrast). CBP key: 8481.80.9005; GRIs 1 and 6.

CBP answer key: Answer B · 8481.80.9005, HTSUS; GRIs 1 and 6Source: CBP past exams ↗