Navigational Instruments & Appliances (NESOI)

Consumer and commercial fish-finders that operate on sonar/echo-sounding principles are generally classifiable under 9014802000 as depth-sounding apparatus. However, sophisticated active sonar arrays with military or scientific research applications may be subject to export-control review and could be classified differently depending on their technical specifications. Importers of dual-use sonar equipment should verify EAR classification before entry.

Heading 8526 covers radio-based navigation aids — GPS receivers, radar, and radio direction finders — where the navigation function depends on radio-frequency signal processing. Heading 9014 covers instruments that navigate by optical, mechanical, gyroscopic, acoustic, or other non-radio means. A GPS-integrated chart plotter may require a composite classification analysis if it combines both radio and non-radio navigation functions.