HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0502.90 – Animal products; badger hair and other brush making hair and waste of such bristles or hair, n.e.c. in heading no. 0502 (excluding horsehair)
HS code 0502.90 is the 6-digit subheading for animal products, badger hair and other brush making hair and waste of such bristles or hair, n.e.c. in heading no. 0502 (excluding horsehair). It is used for badger hair for shaving brushes, artist brush hair, industrial brush bristles, boar hair for brushes and goat hair for cosmetic brushes.
What HS 0502.90 covers
This HS code covers specialty animal hair, specifically badger hair and other brush-making hair (excluding horsehair), along with their waste products. These materials are crucial for manufacturing high-quality brushes across various sectors, including cosmetics, art, and industrial applications. Major importers are typically brush manufacturers in developed economies, seeking premium natural fibers for their products. Exporters often originate from regions with significant badger populations or established animal hair processing industries. Key considerations in this trade include the ethical sourcing of animal hair, ensuring consistent quality and length, and compliance with animal welfare regulations. The market values specific characteristics like softness, resilience, and water retention for different brush types.
- Covers
- Badger hair for shaving brushes
- Artist brush hair
- Industrial brush bristles
- Boar hair for brushes
- Goat hair for cosmetic brushes
- Squirrel hair for fine art brushes
- Examples
- Mühle shaving brushes (using badger hair)
- Kent brushes (various natural hairs)
- Da Vinci artist brushes
- Omega brush company
Codes often confused with 0502.90
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 050210 (pig or boar bristles) or 9603 (finished brushes). The distinction lies in the specific animal hair type and that this code covers raw, unprocessed hair, not a finished product.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 050290, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 050290 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 40% 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 $3.0M 52% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $1.1M 20% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.0M 18% of world exports
World total: $5.7M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $5.5M 40% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $1.5M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $1.4M 10% of world imports
World total: $14M 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 0502.90 2
Brazil splits HS 0502.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 0502.90.10 Badger and other brush-making hairPelos
- 0502.90.20 Waste of badger and brush-making hairDesperdícios
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 05.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0502.90
What is HS code 050290?
HS code 050290 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Animal products; badger hair and other brush making hair and waste of such bristles or hair, n.e.c. in heading no. 0502 (excluding horsehair). This HS code covers specialty animal hair, specifically badger hair and other brush-making hair (excluding horsehair), along with their waste products. These materials are crucial for manufacturing high-quality brushes across various sectors, including cosmetics, art, and industrial applications. Major importers are typically brush manufacturers in developed economies, seeking premium natural fibers for their products. Exporters often originate from regions with significant badger populations or established animal hair processing industries. Key considerations in this trade include the ethical sourcing of animal hair, ensuring consistent quality and length, and compliance with animal welfare regulations. The market values specific characteristics like softness, resilience, and water retention for different brush types.
What products fall under HS code 050290?
Badger hair for shaving brushes, artist brush hair, industrial brush bristles, boar hair for brushes, goat hair for cosmetic brushes, squirrel hair for fine art brushes
What are common misclassifications for HS code 050290?
This code can be confused with 050210 (pig or boar bristles) or 9603 (finished brushes). The distinction lies in the specific animal hair type and that this code covers raw, unprocessed hair, not a finished product.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 050290?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 050290 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.0M, 52% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($1.1M) and Germany ($1.0M). World exports came to about $5.7M, 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 050290?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 050290 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($5.5M, 40% of world imports), the Netherlands ($1.5M) and Japan ($1.4M). World imports came to about $14M, 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 050290 structured?
HS code 050290 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (05) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 050290?
Brazil splits HS code 050290 into 2 NCM codes: 0502.90.10 (Badger and other brush-making hair), 0502.90.20 (Waste of badger and brush-making hair). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.