WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
84.84 - Gaskets and similar joints of metal sheeting combined with other material or of two or more layers of metal; sets or assortments of gaskets and similar joints, dissimilar in composition, put up in pouches, envelopes or similar packings; mechanical seals. 8484.10 - Gaskets and similar joints of metal sheeting combined with other material or of two or more layers of metal 8484.20 - Mechanical seals 8484.90 - Other (A) GASKETS AND SIMILAR JOINTS OF METAL SHEETING COMBINED WITH OTHER MATEFUAL OR OF TWO OR MORE LAYERS OF METAL These are composed of : (i) A core of asbestos (or sometimes felt, cardboard or other non-metallic material) sandwiched between two metal sheets. or (ii) Asbestos or other non-metallic materials cut to shape, and with metal sheeting folded along the outer edges and around the edges of any holes punched in the gasket or joint. or (iii) Layers or metal foil (of the same metal or of dissimilar metals) pressed together. They are mainly used in certain motors or pumps, or for certain pipe joints. But the headin excludes gaskets and joints of asbestos board reinforced with metal wire or metal gauze (beading 68.14, unless forming part of e set or assortment covered by the second part of this heading. (B) SETS OR ASSORTMENTS OF GASlKETS AND SIMILAR JOINTS Such sets or assortments of any material (agglomerated cork, leather, rubber, textiles, paperboard, asbestos, etc.) are classified here when put up in pouches, envelopes, boxes, etc., provided that the gaskets or joints are not all of the same material. To be classified here, the sets and assortments must contain at least two gaskets or joints of different material. Therefore a pouch, envelope, box, etc., containin ,for example, five gaskets all made of pa erboard, is not covered by the heading but is classi ed in heading 48.23; but if the set also mnc uded a rubber gasket it would fall in this heading. P (C) MIZCHANICAL SEALS Mechanical seals (e.g., sliding-ring seals and spring-ring seals) constitute mechanical assemblies which form a leakproof joint between flat, rotating surfaces to revent high-pressure leakage in the machine or apparatus on which they are mounted, resishng t e pressure and stress exerted on them by moving components or due to vibrations, etc. e The structure of these seals is generally fairly complex. They comprise : (i) fixed parts which, when the seal is placed, become integral with the machine or apparatus; and (ii) movable parts : rotating elements, spring elements, etc. It is specifically on account of these movable parts that the articles are called " mechanical seals ' . These seals act as anti-vibration devices, bearings, actual seals and, in some cases, as unions. These seals have numerous applications, including in pum s, compressors, mixers,agitators and turbines; they are produced from a variety of materials ancfin various configurations. The heading does not cover : (a) Gaskets or 'oints, other than the composite types incorporating metal sheetin or foil, which do not comply witI! the conditions set out m (B) above; these are generally classi led according to their constituent material. f (b) Machinery packing (e.g., of asbestos cord heading 68.12). (c) Oil seal rings of heading 84.87. -
1.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Millstones, grindstones or other articles of Chapter 68; (b) Machinery or appliances (for example, pumps) of ceramic material and ceramic parts of machinery or appliances of any material (Chapter 69); (c) Laboratory glassware (heading 70.17); machinery, appliances or other articles for technical uses or parts thereof, of glass (heading 70.19 or 70.20); (d) Articles of heading 73.21 or 73.22 or similar articles of other base metals (Chapters 74 to 76 or 78 to 81); (e) Vacuum cleaners of heading 85.08; (f) Electro-mechanical domestic appliances of heading 85.09; digital cameras of heading 85.25; (g) Radiators for the articles of Section XVII; or (h) Hand-operated mechanical floor sweepers, not motorised (heading 96.03). 2.- Subject to the operation of Note 3 to Section XVI and subject to Note 11 to this Chapter, a machine or appliance which answers to a description in one or more of the headings 84.01 to 84.24, or heading 84.86 and at the same time to a description in one or more of the headings 84.25 to 84.80 is to be classified under the appropriate heading of the former group or under heading 84.86, as the case may be, and not the latter group. (A) Heading 84.19 does not, however, cover : (i) Germination plant, incubators or brooders (heading 84.36); (ii) Grain dampening machines (heading 84.37); (iii) Diffusing apparatus for sugar juice extraction (heading 84.38);