Flexible smartphone tripod with bendable legs and detachable Bluetooth shutter remote
Country of origin for this scenario: China.
Recommended HTS code
9620.00.50.00
Of plastics
MEDIUM confidence. Heading 9620 clearly covers this flexible smartphone tripod under GRI 1 as a tripod-type support article for photographic apparatus. The 10-digit code 9620.00.50.00 (of plastics) is the most likely match given that flexible bendable-leg tripods are typically plastic-coated wire or plastic-composite construction, but the exact material composition is not confirmed in the product description and could shift the code to 9620.00.65.00 (iron/steel) if the core wire is steel. No on-point CBP ruling for a flexible smartphone tripod was supplied. The detachable Bluetooth remote is a minor accessory that does not displace the essential character of the tripod.
Classification analysis generated on July 5, 2026 from the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule and published CBP rulings, for the product description shown — our analysis, not legal advice.
The question to put to a licensed broker
What is the primary material of the bendable legs (e.g., plastic-coated steel wire, solid plastic, aluminum)? This determines whether the correct 10-digit code is 9620.00.50.00 (plastics, 5.3%), 9620.00.65.00 (iron/steel, 2.9%), or 9620.00.70.00 (aluminum, 2.5%). Additionally, please confirm whether the Bluetooth shutter remote is sold as a set with the tripod on the same invoice or separately, as separate invoicing could require independent classification of the remote.
How the classification was reached
GRI Reasoning
GRI 1 — Heading Determination
The product is a flexible smartphone tripod with bendable legs and a detachable Bluetooth shutter remote. Heading 9620 explicitly covers "monopods, bipods, tripods and similar articles" for cameras, projectors, or other apparatus. A flexible smartphone tripod is squarely a tripod-type support article for photographic apparatus (smartphones used as cameras). Under GRI 1, classification begins and ends here unless a more specific provision applies.
The detachable Bluetooth shutter remote is an accessory included in the set. Under GRI 3(b), when goods are put up in sets for retail sale, classification follows the component that gives the set its essential character. The tripod is the dominant item by bulk, value ($6.40 unit price overwhelmingly reflects the tripod structure), and the primary purpose of the set (stable support for the phone). The Bluetooth remote is a convenience accessory. Essential character resides in the tripod → Heading 9620 governs.
GRI 6 — Subheading Selection within 9620.00
The subheadings under 9620.00 distinguish by application (accessories to specific apparatus headings) and by material:
- 9620.00.10.00: Accessories for 8519/8521 apparatus — not applicable (smartphone tripod is not audio/video recording equipment of those headings).
- 9620.00.15.00–9620.00.30.xx: Accessories for optical instruments (9005, 9007, 9015) — not applicable.
- 9620.00.50.00: Other — Of plastics — general rate 5.3%
- 9620.00.65.00: Other — Of iron or steel — general rate 2.9%
- 9620.00.70.00: Other — Of aluminum — general rate 2.5%
Flexible bendable-leg tripods ("gorillapod" style) are typically constructed with plastic-coated ball-jointed segments or plastic-wrapped wire cores. Without confirmed material specification, 9620.00.50.00 (of plastics, 5.3%) is the most probable classification, but if the inner core wire is steel, 9620.00.65.00 may be more accurate.
Rejected Alternatives
- 8525.89.3000: Covers television cameras. The product is not a camera; the Bluetooth remote does not transform the set into a camera or transmission apparatus. Rejected.
- 8529.90.86xx: Heading 8529 covers parts for apparatus of headings 8524–8528. A smartphone tripod is not a part of such apparatus. Rejected.
- 3926.90.9990: Chapter 39 is a residual catch-all for plastic articles not elsewhere specified. Heading 9620 specifically provides for tripods; the eo nomine provision in 9620 prevails over the residual Chapter 39 basket provision. Rejected under GRI 1.
Section/Chapter Note Checks
- Chapter 96 note: No exclusion for this type of article.
- The supplied HTS footnotes for 9620.00.50.00 reference 9903.88.03 as an additional-overlay flag. This is a Section 301 China tariff overlay heading. Its rate is NOT stated in the supplied evidence and must be verified with a broker or via USTR/CBP resources before entry.
Duty Summary (from supplied HTS rows)
| Code | Description | General Rate | Other (Col. 2) | Additional Overlay Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9620.00.50.00 | Of plastics | 5.3% | 80% | 9903.88.03 (verify) |
| 9620.00.65.00 | Of iron or steel | 2.9% | 45% | 9903.88.03 (verify) |
| 9620.00.70.00 | Of aluminum | 2.5% | 45% | 9903.88.03 (verify) |
Ruling Analysis
The only supplied ruling (N230145) classified a wired camera remote switch under 8537.10.9070 and a Bluetooth keyboard under 8471.60.2000. Neither classification is for a tripod or for a set led by a tripod. This ruling is not analogous to the present product and is not cited as precedent. No on-point ruling for a flexible smartphone tripod was supplied.
What the duty looks like
Duty math shown for illustrative declared values — $6.40 per unit at 10,000 units per year is our assumption for this explainer, not a measurement of anyone's imports. Your numbers will differ.
- Base duty rate (column 1, general)
- 5.3%
- Annual declared value at the illustrative numbers
- $64,000
- Base duty per year (illustrative)
- $3,392
Chapter-99 overlay headings flagged on this code
- 9903.88.03 — The duty provided in the applicable subheading + 25%. Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
Overlay applicability depends on origin, entry date, and any active exclusions — verify at entry.
Alternatives considered
The full candidate set from the fetched tariff rows — including rows that would carry a higher duty. Shown so the reasoning is checkable, not to offer a rate menu.
| Code | Description | General rate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9620.00.65.00 | Of iron or steel | 2.9% | Of iron or steel — general rate 2.9%, other 45%. Applicable if the bendable legs have a steel wire core that constitutes the essential material of the article. Same 9903.88.03 overlay flag applies. Confirm leg core material before entry. |
| 9620.00.70.00 | Of aluminum | 2.5% | Of aluminum — general rate 2.5%, other 45%. Applicable if legs are aluminum-based. Same 9903.88.03 overlay flag applies. Confirm leg material. |
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