## Common ground
All options refer to types of air or other gas compressors used for pressurizing gases.
## Options at a glance
**8414.30 – Refrigeration use**
- **Defining trait:** Designed specifically for integration into refrigerating systems, often using refrigerants like R-134a.
- **Typical examples:** Compressors in refrigerators, air conditioners, chillers.
- **Best fit when:** The compressor is part of a cooling system and handles refrigerant gases.
**8414.40 – Towing-mounted compressors**
- **Defining trait:** Built into a wheeled chassis for mobility and transportability.
- **Typical examples:** Portable air compressors used at construction sites, mobile workshops.
- **Best fit when:** The compressor is designed to be towed or moved easily between locations.
**8414.80 – Compressor type (by mechanism)**
- **Defining trait:** Classified by working principle: rotary, reciprocating, or turbo (centrifugal) compression.
- **Typical examples:** Screw compressors, piston compressors, centrifugal fans in industrial plants.
- **Best fit when:** The product’s internal mechanism (e.g., screw vs. piston) is the key distinguishing feature.
## Key differences
| Feature | 8414.30 (Refrigeration) | 8414.40 (Towing-mounted) | 8414.80 (Type by mechanism) |
|---------------------|--------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Primary use | Cooling systems | Mobile applications | Internal working principle |
| Mobility | Fixed or integrated | High (wheeled chassis) | Varies |
| Classification basis| Application | Physical design | Mechanism |
## How to choose
- Is the compressor used in a refrigeration system? → 8414.30
- Is it mounted on wheels for towing or transport? → 8414.40
- Does the product’s type (e.g., screw, piston, turbo) define its classification? → 8414.80
## Overlaps & pitfalls
A compressor may fit more than one category: e.g., a wheeled reciprocating compressor used in refrigeration could belong to both 8414.40 and 8414.30, or even 8414.80. The main function determines priority. If the product is primarily for refrigeration, use 8414.30; if mobility is key, use 8414.40; otherwise, classify by mechanism (8414.80). No option takes absolute priority—choose based on the product’s **main function or defining feature**