8603 - Self-propelled railway or tramway coaches, vans and trucks, other than those of heading 8604:

Heading 8603 covers self-propelled railway or tramway vehicles designed for the transport of passengers or goods, excluding specialized maintenance or track-laying equipment. This category encompasses "motor coaches" for passenger service and "motor trucks" for freight, provided they are capable of self-propulsion and operate on railway or tramway tracks. The defining characteristic is their self-contained power source, differentiating them from towed rolling stock or locomotives which fall under other headings within Chapter 86.

Unlike the more general categories in Chapter 86, such as locomotives (8601) or railway or tramway rolling-stock (8602), heading 8603 specifically addresses vehicles that are both self-propelled and designed for direct operational use on tracks, rather than primarily for providing motive power or being pulled. It also excludes vehicles for track maintenance or construction, which are typically classified under heading 8604.

Within heading 8603, two primary subcategories exist to distinguish based on their power source. Subheading 8603.10.00.00 covers vehicles powered by an external source of electricity, such as those operating on electrified tram lines. All other self-propelled railway or tramway coaches, vans, and trucks that do not fall into the externally electrified category are classified under subheading 8603.90.00.00.