8409.99.91.10 - Connecting rods

This HTS category, 8409.99.91.10, specifically classifies connecting rods intended for use in engines falling under headings 8407 or 8408, provided they are to be installed in vehicles of subheadings 8701.21, 8701.22, 8701.23, 8701.24 or 8701.29, or headings 8702, 8703, or 8704. Connecting rods are critical engine components that link the piston to the crankshaft, converting reciprocating motion into rotational motion. Their function is integral to the operation of internal combustion engines used in a wide array of vehicles, from heavy-duty trucks and buses to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles.

This specific classification distinguishes itself from its sibling category, 8409.99.91.90 ("Other"), by its precise application within the automotive sector. While 8409.99.91.90 would encompass connecting rods for other types of engines or for engines not destined for the enumerated vehicle categories, 8409.99.91.10 is narrowly defined by the intended vehicle fitment. The "Other" qualifiers within the parent hierarchy indicate that this is a residual classification after more specific engine parts and engine types have been accounted for, making the intended end-use in specific vehicle classes the definitive factor for classification here.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS classification system, there are no further subcategories. Therefore, the focus remains on ensuring that the connecting rod in question meets all the preceding criteria: it is a part suitable for engines of heading 8407 or 8408, it is not a more specifically classified engine part, and it is explicitly intended for installation in the defined vehicle types. Importers and exporters must verify the intended application of these connecting rods to ensure accurate classification.