4009.32.00.20 - Brake hoses for the vehicles of subheadings 8701.21, 8701.22, 8701.23, 8701.24 or 8701.29 or headings 8702, 8703, 8704, 8705 or 8711

This HTS code, 4009.32.00.20, specifically covers brake hoses made from vulcanized rubber that are reinforced or combined solely with textile materials and are equipped with fittings. These fittings can include components like joints, elbows, or flanges, which are essential for connecting the hose to a vehicle's braking system. The primary function of these hoses is to convey hydraulic fluid under pressure to actuate the vehicle's brakes. This classification is particularly relevant for brake hoses intended for use in various motor vehicles, including trucks and tractors under subheadings 8701.21 through 8701.29, and for other vehicles classified under headings 8702, 8703, 8704, 8705, or motorcycles under heading 8711.

The key differentiator for this category lies in the presence of fittings. Its sibling category, 4009.32.00.50, covers similar reinforced rubber brake hoses but *without* fittings. Therefore, if a brake hose of this nature is not equipped with any joints, elbows, flanges, or other connecting components, it would fall under the "Other" sibling category. The presence or absence of these integral connecting parts is the determining factor for classification between these two sibling codes.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS, there are no further subcategories. Classification under 4009.32.00.20 is definitive when the product meets all the specified criteria: it is a tube or hose of vulcanized rubber, reinforced or combined only with textile materials, equipped with fittings, and specifically designed for use as a brake hose in the vehicles listed. Classification hinges on a thorough examination of the product's physical characteristics and intended application to ensure accurate tariff reporting.