8481.10.00.20 - Hydraulic fluid power type

This HTS category, 8481.10.00.20, specifically covers valves designed for hydraulic fluid power systems. These valves are integral components within hydraulic systems, controlling the flow, pressure, and direction of hydraulic fluid. Examples include directional control valves, pressure control valves, and flow control valves used in machinery such as excavators, presses, and industrial automation equipment. The defining characteristic is their application within a system that uses liquid under pressure to generate force and motion.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 8481.10.00.10 (Pneumatic fluid power type), is crucial. While both are pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves, this category is exclusively for those operating with hydraulic fluids (typically oil-based), whereas the pneumatic type utilizes compressed air. The key differentiator lies in the medium they manage. Furthermore, it differs from the "Other" category (8481.10.00.90) by its specific designation for hydraulic fluid power applications, excluding any pressure-reducing or thermostatically controlled valves that do not fit this precise operational context.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS classification, there are no further subcategories under 8481.10.00.20. Therefore, the classification is definitive for hydraulic fluid power type pressure-reducing and thermostatically controlled valves. When classifying goods under this code, it is essential to confirm that the valve is designed for and functions within a hydraulic fluid power system, managing liquid under pressure, rather than compressed air or other media.