The Product
- Adjustable leg, foot and knee stretching device made of tubular steel.
- Rectangular frame with each end bent at an angle to form a foot rest and a handlebar.
- Three straps hold the leg in place: one over the thigh, knee or shin, one under the ankle, one at the heel.
- Five length settings set by telescoping, spring-loaded snaps below the thigh strap. Portable.
- Marketed as a pain-relieving tool and stretching device for improving knee extension and range of motion.
CBP's Ruling
| Item | HTS code | CBP's description of the line |
|---|---|---|
| IdealKnee | HTS 9506.91.0030 | Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics, athletics, other sports… or outdoor games…; parts and accessories thereof: Other: Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics; parts and accessories thereof... Other |
Explanation
CBP found that the IdealKnee is not a mechano-therapy appliance or a massage apparatus, so heading 9019 doesn't apply.
CBP placed the device under heading 9506, which names articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics and athletics, on the line for articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics. The IdealKnee is a tubular steel frame with straps that stretches the leg, foot and knee to improve knee extension and range of motion.
What would change the answer
- The letter notes that the Explanatory Notes set mechano-therapy apparatus apart from medical exercising equipment designed for home or specialized premises.
Headings CBP ruled out
- heading 9019, mechano-therapy appliances and massage apparatus: The letter cites the Explanatory Notes to heading 9019: mechano-therapy appliances treat joint or muscle diseases by mechanically reproducing movements, typically under medical supervision. The IdealKnee has no mechanical device and isn't a massage apparatus.
The letter also notes. CBP denied a secondary classification under the Chapter 98 provision for articles specially designed for the blind or other physically or mentally handicapped persons, because that provision excludes articles for acute or transient disability and the IdealKnee is marketed to people recovering from injury or surgery. CBP also found the item is not distinguishable from articles useful to the general public, since it is marketed to athletes, fitness professionals, yoga enthusiasts, dancers and seniors.
Does this apply to your product?
It likely does if you can answer yes to each of these:
- Is it a device that stretches the leg, foot or knee?
- Is it a frame with straps, without any mechanical device?
- Is it marketed as a stretching device for improving range of motion?
- Is it marketed to the general public, such as athletes and people in rehab?
A no to any of them can mean a different code. A licensed broker can classify your product.
The code today
| HTS code | In today's schedule | Where it sits | Today's duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9506.91.0030 | ✓ Still in the schedule | Heading 9506 › Articles and equipment for general physical exercise, gymnastics or athletics; ... | Today's duty from China |
Checked against today's tariff schedule. The duty calculator opens with the code and country filled in.
Related rulings
J87836 placed a back stretching device on the same line. N324688 (an exercise strap), N344645 (an exercise bench), N345961 (a stair climbing exercise machine) and N345826 (the RowMo, an accessory to exercise equipment) cover other exercise equipment under heading 9506.
- J87836August 27, 2003Back stretching device from China9506.91.0030
- N324688March 25, 2022Exercise strap from China9506.91.0030
- N344645January 2, 2025Exercise bench from China9506.91.0030
- N346130March 19, 2025Children’s trampoline from China9506.91.0030
- N345826February 25, 2025RowMo, an accessory to exercise equipment, from China9506.91.0030
- N328439October 24, 2022Stationary exercise bicycle parts from China9506.91.0010
- N345961March 10, 2025Stair climbing exercise machine from China9506.91.0030
- N352085August 20, 2025Children's wooden balance board from China9506.91.0030
Borderless, a licensed U.S. customs brokerage, summarized CBP ruling N356463 in plain English and checked its codes against the letter and today's tariff schedule. A ruling applies only to goods that match its facts; our terms explain the rest. Terms