8414.20.00.00 - Hand- or foot-operated air pumps

This HTS category, 8414.20.00.00, specifically encompasses hand- or foot-operated air pumps. These are devices that generate airflow or pressure through manual physical exertion, such as pumping a lever or pressing a foot pedal. Examples include bicycle tire pumps, inflator pumps for recreational items like air mattresses or pool floats, and simple bellows used for fanning fires or inflating small air chambers. The key defining characteristic is the absence of a motor or any powered mechanism for their operation.

It is important to distinguish these manual pumps from other items within heading 8414. Unlike vacuum pumps (8414.10.00.00), these devices are primarily designed to introduce air or gas, rather than remove it. Furthermore, they differ from powered air compressors (such as those mounted on wheeled chassis for towing under 8414.40.00.00) or fans, which rely on electric motors or other mechanical power sources to create airflow. This category specifically excludes any powered pumps or compressors, regardless of their intended use.

As a leaf node, 8414.20.00.00 does not have further subdivisions. Therefore, classification within this code relies on the straightforward determination of whether the air pump is operated manually through hand or foot action. If a pump utilizes any form of electrical power, internal combustion engine, or other powered system to generate its air output, it would fall under a different HTS classification.