Musical instruments; pianos, upright, including automatic pianos

HS code 920110 covers the import and export of upright pianos, including automatic pianos. Pianos are a fundamental part of the musical instrument industry, with a long history and cultural significance across the globe. As a high-value, durable good, the trade in upright pianos is an important component of the broader musical equipment and accessories market, which is closely tied to the music and entertainment sectors.

The production of upright pianos involves a complex process of craftsmanship and precision engineering. Key steps include the construction of the piano's wooden frame, the installation of the strings and soundboard, the assembly of the action mechanism that allows for the playing of keys, and the final tuning and voicing of the instrument. Automated processes are increasingly used in piano manufacturing, but a significant degree of manual labor and specialized skills are still required throughout the production cycle.

The main inputs for the upright piano industry include high-quality woods such as spruce, maple, and ebony for the frame and other components, specialized metal alloys for the strings and action parts, and various felt, leather, and other materials used in the piano's mechanisms and finishing. Specialized tools and machinery, as well as a skilled workforce, are also essential inputs for piano manufacturing.

The primary output of HS code 920110 is upright pianos, both acoustic and digital/electronic models. These pianos are consumed by a range of end-users, including individual musicians, music schools and conservatories, churches, and other performance venues. The output of this industry may also be used as an input for other related HS codes, such as 920190 Musical instruments; pianos, other than upright, including grand pianos and 920600 Musical instruments; organs, including pipe and reed organs; harmoniums and similar keyboard instruments with free metal reeds, as pianos are often incorporated into larger musical instrument systems and ensembles.