HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 05.02 – Pigs', hogs' or boars' bristles and hair; and waste thereof
What HS 05.02 covers
Heading 0502 specifically covers pigs', hogs', or boars' bristles and hair, along with any waste derived from these products. This classification is vital for distinguishing these specific animal hairs from other animal hairs (e.g., fine or coarse animal hair of 5102) and from processed products made from them. The scope is limited to the raw, unworked state of the bristles and hair. Once these materials are prepared for broom or brush making (e.g., bundled, cut to length, or attached to a handle), they move out of this heading and typically fall under Chapter 96 (e.g., 9603 for brushes or prepared knots). Key sub-categories include stiff pig bristles (often used for high-quality brushes), softer hog hair (used in upholstery or insulation), and waste products generated during the collection or initial processing of these hairs. Accurate classification is paramount for trade compliance, given the potential for biosecurity concerns associated with animal products and the specific quality standards for different applications. Historically, China has been a dominant global supplier of pig bristles, prized for their stiffness and resilience in various brush applications, from artist brushes to industrial cleaning tools. This heading continues Chapter 5's theme of raw or minimally processed animal products, emphasizing their natural, unprocessed form.
- Covers
- Raw pig bristles
- Uncleaned boar hair
- Hog hair for brush manufacturing
- Sorted pig bristles (unprocessed)
- Pig hair waste for industrial use
- Stiff boar bristles (unworked)
- Soft hog hair for upholstery (unprocessed)
- Bristles for paintbrushes (raw)
- Bristles for shaving brushes (raw)
- Bristles for cleaning brushes (raw)
- Upholstery hog hair (unprocessed)
- Pig hair for insulation (unworked)
- Waste pig hair from slaughterhouses
- Wild boar hair (unprocessed)
- Cultivated pig hair (unworked)
- Short pig hair for fillers
- Long boar bristles
- Natural pig hair
- Processed pig hair waste
- Unbleached hog hair.
- Examples
A high-end paintbrush manufacturer in Germany imports large quantities of unworked, sorted pig bristles from China, shipped via ocean freight, to produce artist and industrial brushes known for their quality and durability. A company in Mexico imports hog hair waste from slaughterhouses in the United States, transported by truck, to be processed into natural fertilizers or used as a component in specialized composite materials. Furthermore, a traditional Japanese calligraphy brush artisan sources specific lengths of unprocessed boar hair from Eastern European countries like Poland, shipped by air cargo, to craft bespoke, high-performance writing instruments.
Subheadings under 05.02 2
Codes often confused with 05.02
Common mistake. A common misclassification error involves confusing raw bristles and hair with finished brush products or even 'prepared knots and tufts for broom or brush making.' These prepared items, which are essentially pre-assembled components for brushes, belong to HS 9603, not 0502. The key distinction is that 0502 covers the raw material, while 9603 covers items that have been prepared or manufactured into a functional component of a brush or a complete brush. Another potential confusion arises with HS 5102, which covers 'fine or coarse animal hair, not carded or combed,' but 0502 is specific to *pigs', hogs', or boars'* hair, making it a more precise classification when applicable.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 0502, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 0502 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 79% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $30M 79% of world exports
- 2 Germany $3.7M 9.8% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.5M 4.1% of world exports
World total: $37M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Portugal $8.7M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $6.4M 13% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $6.0M 13% of world imports
World total: $48M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 05.02
What is HS code 0502?
HS code 0502 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pigs', hogs' or boars' bristles and hair; and waste thereof. Heading 0502 specifically covers pigs', hogs', or boars' bristles and hair, along with any waste derived from these products. This classification is vital for distinguishing these specific animal hairs from other animal hairs (e.g., fine or coarse animal hair of 5102) and from processed products made from them. The scope is limited to the raw, unworked state of the bristles and hair. Once these materials are prepared for broom or brush making (e.g., bundled, cut to length, or attached to a handle), they move out of this heading and typically fall under Chapter 96 (e.g., 9603 for brushes or prepared knots). Key sub-categories include stiff pig bristles (often used for high-quality brushes), softer hog hair (used in upholstery or insulation), and waste products generated during the collection or initial processing of these hairs. Accurate classification is paramount for trade compliance, given the potential for biosecurity concerns associated with animal products and the specific quality standards for different applications. Historically, China has been a dominant global supplier of pig bristles, prized for their stiffness and resilience in various brush applications, from artist brushes to industrial cleaning tools. This heading continues Chapter 5's theme of raw or minimally processed animal products, emphasizing their natural, unprocessed form.
What products fall under HS code 0502?
Raw pig bristles, uncleaned boar hair, hog hair for brush manufacturing, sorted pig bristles (unprocessed), pig hair waste for industrial use, stiff boar bristles (unworked), soft hog hair for upholstery (unprocessed), bristles for paintbrushes (raw), bristles for shaving brushes (raw), bristles for cleaning brushes (raw), upholstery hog hair (unprocessed), pig hair for insulation (unworked), waste pig hair from slaughterhouses, wild boar hair (unprocessed), cultivated pig hair (unworked), short pig hair for fillers, long boar bristles, natural pig hair, processed pig hair waste, unbleached hog hair.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 0502?
A common misclassification error involves confusing raw bristles and hair with finished brush products or even 'prepared knots and tufts for broom or brush making.' These prepared items, which are essentially pre-assembled components for brushes, belong to HS 9603, not 0502. The key distinction is that 0502 covers the raw material, while 9603 covers items that have been prepared or manufactured into a functional component of a brush or a complete brush. Another potential confusion arises with HS 5102, which covers 'fine or coarse animal hair, not carded or combed,' but 0502 is specific to *pigs', hogs', or boars'* hair, making it a more precise classification when applicable.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 0502?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0502 in UN Comtrade data were China ($30M, 79% of world exports), Germany ($3.7M) and the United States ($1.5M). World exports came to about $37M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 0502?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 0502 in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($8.7M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($6.4M) and Indonesia ($6.0M). World imports came to about $48M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 0502 structured?
HS code 0502 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 05 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (05) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.