8801.00.00.10 - Hang gliders 🖩

This HTS category, 8801.00.00.10, specifically covers "Hang gliders." Hang gliders are defined as unpowered heavier-than-air aircraft that are typically launched by being run down a slope or towed. They consist of a frame, usually made of aluminum or composite materials, covered by a sail of fabric, designed to be controlled by the pilot shifting their weight. The primary purpose of hang gliders is recreational sport and personal aviation.

It is important to distinguish hang gliders from their sibling category, 8801.00.00.20, which covers "Gliders." While both are unpowered aircraft, gliders, in the context of this HTS, generally refer to more traditional, larger sailplanes designed for extended flight, often with enclosed cockpits and sophisticated aerodynamic controls. Hang gliders are characterized by their open frame construction and the pilot's exposed position, directly interacting with the airframe for control.

As this is a leaf node in the HTS, there are no further subdivisions under 8801.00.00.10. Therefore, classification under this code solely depends on whether the imported item meets the definition and intended use of a hang glider, as opposed to other unpowered aircraft such as traditional gliders or balloons. Classification will rely on physical characteristics, design intent, and primary function.