Wristwatches, battery / quartz

Six-digit Harmonized System subheading. Used by 200+ customs authorities worldwide as the universal starting point for tariff classification.

Anatomy of 910221

Chapter

91

Clocks and watches

Heading

91.02

Product group

Subheading

91.02.21

Specific product

For a real customs declaration you'll extend this 6-digit code to the destination's full local format: 10 digits for US HTS / UK Trade Tariff, 8 digits for the EU Combined Nomenclature. The first six digits stay the same — only the trailing detail differs.

What this code covers

HS code 910221 covers wristwatches, battery / quartz under Chapter 91 (clocks and watches). This is a six-digit subheading in the Harmonized System and is recognised by every WCO member country for classification purposes — the first six digits are identical worldwide; trailing country-specific digits add local detail. For commercial imports, your destination's full tariff code will start with 910221 and extend to 8 digits (EU Combined Nomenclature) or 10 digits (US HTS, UK Trade Tariff). The duty rate, restrictions, and any preferential agreements are determined at the local level — see the country comparison below.

What falls under 910221

Wrist-watches, battery or quartz (electrically operated), other than those with a case of precious metal

What's specifically excluded

These look similar but belong under a different code:

910211 — Wrist-watches with automatic (mechanical self-winding) movement
910111 — Wrist-watches with a case of precious metal
851762 — Smartwatches whose principal function is communication/data (often classified as ADP or communication apparatus)

Commonly confused with

851712 — Smartwatches
A connected smartwatch may not be a 'watch' at all for customs — if its principal function is data/communication it can fall under Chapter 85, not 9102. This is a live, much-litigated classification question.

910111 — Precious-metal-cased watch
A gold or platinum case moves the watch out of 9102 entirely into 9101.

Classification & cost note

The headline distinction in Chapter 91 is movement type (mechanical 910211 vs quartz/battery 910221) and case material (base metal 9102 vs precious metal 9101). Smartwatches are the modern complication: customs authorities differ on whether a feature-rich smartwatch is a watch (9102) or a communication/computing device (Chapter 85), and the answer can change the duty materially.

Typical products: Quartz analogue wristwatches · Digital quartz watches · Battery-powered fashion watches

Import duty by country

MFN duty rate · 7 countries

Country	Duty	VAT	Notes
🇦🇺Australia	0%	10%	Zero duty + 10% GST.
🇨🇦Canada	0%	5%	Zero duty + 5% GST.
🇩🇪Germany	4.5%	19%	EU 4.5% duty + 19% VAT.
🇵🇹Portugal	4.5%	23%	EU 4.5% duty + 23% IVA.
🇬🇧United Kingdom	4.5%	20%	4.5% duty + 20% VAT.
🇺🇸United States	5.3%	0%	5.3% MFN rate for battery watches.
🇨🇭Switzerland	0%	8.1%	Zero duty (manufactured in Switzerland); 8.1% VAT.

Rates shown are MFN (Most Favoured Nation) — the default for WTO members. Preferential FTA rates may be lower with valid proof of origin. Section 301 / anti-dumping surcharges on Chinese-origin goods are not included.

Questions about 910221

What's the HS code for a quartz watch?

A battery/quartz wristwatch with a non-precious case is 910221. Mechanical self-winding watches are 910211, and precious-metal cases move it to heading 9101.

How is a smartwatch classified?

It depends on principal function. A connected smartwatch focused on communication/data is often classified under Chapter 85 rather than as a watch under 9102 — confirm your destination's ruling practice.

Related codes in Chapter 91

Calculate duty for HS 910221

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In this chapter

Chapter 91 — Clocks and watches

View all chapter 91 codes →

Country guides

🇺🇸 United States 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇩🇪 Germany 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇨🇦 Canada 🇦🇺 Australia All countries →