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October 2026, question 38
Classification · Classification: GRIs, notes and headings
Of the four choices below, which is the best CLASSIFICATION of a steel hairspring (balance spring)? It is a small, slender, flat-coiled spring that regulates a mechanical watch's weighted balance wheel. It causes the wheel to oscillate back and forth in a pendulum-like motion several times per second, which controls the movement of the watch's hands automatically without human intervention. The mechanical watches that use these hairsprings do not contain any electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts, or other electrical features.
- 7320.90.10
- 9110.19.00
- 9111.90.70
- 9114.90.34
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CBP's answer: D. D: 9114.90.34
Chapter 91 Note 1(c) excludes parts of general use, such as springs of base metal, but says clock or watch springs are, however, classified as clock or watch parts in heading 9114. A hairspring for a mechanical watch therefore goes to the watch springs line, 9114.90.34, so D is right. 7320 springs, 9110 movements and 9111 case parts do not name watch hairsprings.
clock or watch springs are, however, to be classified as clock or watch parts (heading 9114) Chapter 91, Note 1
Springs, including hairsprings: > For watches HTSUS 9114.90.34
Search for: clock or watch springs are, however, to be classified as clock or watch parts
CBP's key cites: Chapter 91, Note 1
Question and key from CBP's October 2026 exam and answer key. The walk-through is ours; quotes are from the pinned editions in the reference viewer (HTSUS 2026 Basic, 19 CFR 2025 edition).