8708.30.50.40 - Mounted brake linings

This HTS subheading, 8708.30.50.40, specifically classifies mounted brake linings designed for use in motor vehicles of headings 8701 to 8705. These linings are critical components of the braking system, acting as the friction material that engages with the brake drum or rotor to slow or stop the vehicle. The term "mounted" implies that these linings are presented in a form ready for installation, often affixed to a backing plate or otherwise pre-assembled for ease of integration into the vehicle's braking mechanism.

It is important to distinguish this classification from its sibling categories. While 8708.30.50.20 covers brake drums and 8708.30.50.30 covers brake rotors (discs), this subheading focuses exclusively on the friction material itself. These sibling categories represent the stationary or rotating metal parts against which the linings operate, whereas 8708.30.50.40 pertains to the consumable friction components. The residual category, 8708.30.50.90, is for other brake parts and accessories not specifically enumerated.

As a leaf node within the HTS structure, 8708.30.50.40 does not have further subcategories. Therefore, the classification hinges on the precise nature of the item as a mounted brake lining intended for motor vehicles within the specified range of headings. Classification relies on verifying that the imported goods are indeed brake linings, whether composed of various friction materials (such as asbestos, ceramic, or organic compounds), and that they are presented in a mounted configuration for direct installation into braking systems of vehicles covered by headings 8701 through 8705.