CHAPTER 91 · LEGAL NOTES
Chapter 91
The 256 legal notes below govern classification under Chapter 91. They are part of the official Harmonized Tariff Schedule and are cited verbatim in CBP rulings.
As of June 9, 2026
Chapter notes
Note 1
Chapter Note 1: This chapter does not cover: (a) Clock or watch glasses or weights (classified according to their constituent material); (b) Watch chains (heading 7113 or 7117, as the case may be); (c) Parts of general use defined in note 2 to section XV, of base metal (section XV), or similar goods of plastics (chapter 39) or of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal (generally heading 7115); clock or watch springs are, however, to be classified as clock or watch parts (heading 9114); (d) Bearing balls (heading 7326 or 8482, as the case may be); (e) Articles of heading 8412 constructed to work without an escapement; (f) Ball bearings (heading 8482); or (g) Articles of chapter 85, not yet assembled together or with other components into watch or clock movements or into articles suitable for use solely or principally as parts of such movements (chapter 85).
Note 2
Chapter Note 2: Heading 9101 covers only watches with case wholly of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal, or of the same materials combined with natural or cultured pearls, or precious or semiprecious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed) of headings 7101 to 7104. Watches with case of base metal inlaid with precious metal fall in heading 9102.
Note 3
Chapter Note 3: For the purposes of this chapter, the expression "watch movements" means devices regulated by a balance wheel and hairspring, quartz crystal or any other system capable of determining intervals of time, with a display or a system to which a mechanical display can be incorporated. Such watch movements shall not exceed 12 mm in thickness and 50 mm in width, length or diameter.
Note 4
Chapter Note 4: Except as provided in note 1, movements and other parts suitable for use both in clocks or watches and in other articles (for example, precision instruments) are to be classified in this chapter.
Additional U.S. notes
Note 1
Additional U.S. Note 1: For the purposes of this chapter: (a) The term "watches" embraces timepieces (including timepieces having special features, such as chronographs, calendar watches and watches designed for use in skin diving) of a kind for wearing or carrying on the person whether or not the movement contained therein conforms to the definition of "watch movements" in note 3, above. Timepieces incorporating a stand, however simple, are not classifiable as watches. (b) The term "cases" embraces inner and outer cases, containers and housings for movements, together with parts or pieces, such as, but not limited to, rings, feet, posts, bases and outer frames, and any auxiliary or incidental features, which (with appropriate movements) serve to complete the watches, clocks, time switches and other apparatus provided for in this chapter. (c) The term "jewels" includes substitutes for jewels.
Note 2
Additional U.S. Note 2: Watch straps, watch bands and watch bracelets entered with wrist watches and of a kind normally sold therewith, whether or not attached, are classified with the watch in heading 9101 or 9102. Otherwise, watch straps, watch bands and watch bracelets shall be classified in heading 9113.
Note 3
Additional U.S. Note 3: Batteries entered with battery powered watches or clocks, or with the complete, assembled movements thereof, and intended for usetherewith, are classifiable under the provision for the watch, clock or movement. Similarly, batteries entered with a complete watch or clock movement, unassembled or partly assembled (movement set) or with an incomplete watch or clock movement, assembled, and intended for use therewith, are classifiable under the provision for such movement. Batteries are otherwise classifiable in heading 8506 or 8507, whether or not suitable for use with watches or clocks.
Note 4
Additional U.S. Note 4: Special Marking Requirements: With the following exceptions, any movement or case provided for in this chapter, whether imported separately or attached to an article provided for in this chapter, shall not be permitted to be entered unless conspicuously and indelibly marked by cutting, die-sinking, engraving, stamping (including by means of indelible ink), or mold-marking (either indented or raised), as specified below. Movements with opto-electronic display only and cases designed for use therewith, whether entered as separate articles or as components of assembled watches or clocks, are excepted from the marking requirements set forth in this note. The special marking requirements are as follows: (a) Watch movements shall be marked on one or more of the bridges or top plates to show: (i) the name of the country of manufacture; (ii) the name of the manufacturer or purchaser; and (iii) in words, the number of jewels, if any, serving a mechanical purpose as frictional bearings.
Note 5
Additional U.S. Note 5: Products of Insular Possessions (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (ij) of this note, any article provided for in this chapter which is the product of the Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa (hereinafter referred to as the "insular possessions") and which contains any foreign component shall be subject to duty: (i) At the rates set forth in column 1, if the countries of origin of more than 50 percent in value of the foreign components are countries to products of which column 1 rates apply; and
Statistical notes
Note 1
Statistical Note 1: The calculation of duties on various watches, clocks, watch movements and clock movements requires that these articles be constructively separated into their component parts and each component separately valued. The individual components shall be separately reported under the statistical suffixes show below. In each instance the sum of the values of the individual components shall be equal to the total value of the article. In those instances where the components of an article are to be separately reported under the following reporting scheme, the entry should include all the individually named components even if not included in the shipment. In such instance the entered quantity and value would be zero. For example, entry of a battery powered watch, imported without a battery, classifiable under subheading 9101.11.40 would include a line for the statistical reporting number for the battery (9101.11.4040) with the quantity and value shown as zero.
Note 2
Statistical Note 2: 8% on the strap, band or bracelet + 5.3% on the battery2/ 1/ 1 Unit Rates of Duty of Quantity Article Description Stat. Suffix Heading/ Subheading 1 2 General Special Wrist watches, pocket watches and other watches, including stop watches, other than those of heading 9101: 9102 Wrist watches, electrically operated, whether or not incorporating a stop watch facility:
Note 2
Statistical Note 2: 2% on the strap, band or bracelet + 4.2% on the battery2/ 1/ Other: With strap, band or bracelet of textile material or of base metal, whether or not gold-or 1/ 9102.19.60 $2.70 each + 45% on the case + 110% on the strap, band or bracelet + 35% on the battery Free (AU, BH, CL, CO, D, E, IL, JO, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, R, S, SG) 57¢ each + 4.5% on the case +
Note 2
Statistical Note 2: 1% on the strap, band or bracelet + 4% on the battery2/ 1/ 1
Note 4
Statistical Note 4: 4% on the case and strap, band or bracelet2/ 1/ 1 Unit Rates of Duty of Quantity Article Description Stat. Suffix Heading/ Subheading 1 2 General Special Wrist watches, pocket watches and other watches, including stop watches, with case of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal: 9101 Other wrist watches, whether or not incorporating a stop watch facility:
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Classify under Chapter 91 with confidence
TariffLens applies the legal notes above automatically when classifying — citing the relevant note in every GRI reasoning chain.