HS Code 05.07 – Ivory, tortoise-shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks unworked or simply prepared, not cut to shape; waste and powder of these products

HS code 0507 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ivory, tortoise-shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks unworked or simply prepared, not cut to shape; waste and powder of these products. HS Code 0507 encompasses a range of animal products, specifically 'Ivory, tortoise-shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape; waste and powder of these products.' This heading is crucial for international trade as it covers raw or minimally processed animal derivatives, many of which are subject to stringent regulations due to conservation concerns. The scope is narrow, focusing on items that have undergone only basic cleaning, drying, or rough preparation, but have not been cut into specific shapes or otherwise manufactured into articles. Key sub-categories include raw elephant or mammoth ivory, unpolished tortoise shells, unprocessed whalebone, and various animal horns and antlers, whether shed naturally or harvested. Waste and powder derived from these materials also fall here. This classification is vital for trade compliance professionals due to the involvement of international agreements like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which heavily restricts or prohibits trade in many of these items, particularly ivory and tortoise-shell. Misclassification can lead to severe penalties, including seizures and fines. Historically, these materials were highly valued for decorative arts, jewelry, and traditional medicine, leading to significant trade volumes, but modern trade is largely curtailed or strictly controlled to protect endangered species. This heading sits within Section I of the HS, which covers 'Live Animals; Animal Products,' placing it among other animal-derived raw materials before they undergo substantial manufacturing.

Raw elephant ivory tusks, mammoth ivory fragments, unpolished hawksbill tortoise shells, unprocessed green sea turtle shells, whalebone strips, whalebone bristles, shed deer antlers, harvested bovine horns, dried goat hooves, cleaned wild boar tusks, unprocessed bear claws, dried bird beaks, ivory powder, horn waste, antler dust, tortoise-shell offcuts, whalebone shavings, hoof meal, claw fragments, beak tips.

A common mistake is confusing products under 0507 with articles made from these materials. For instance, carved ivory figurines or polished tortoise-shell combs would fall under Chapter 96 ('Miscellaneous manufactured articles') rather than 0507, as they are no longer 'unworked or simply prepared' but have been 'cut to shape' or otherwise manufactured. Similarly, worked horn or antler articles are classified in Chapter 96. Another point of confusion can arise with animal hair (Chapter 67 or specific textile chapters if processed) if not directly part of 'whalebone hair' in its raw form. The key differentiator is the extent of processing; 0507 is strictly for raw or minimally prepared materials, not finished or semi-finished articles.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 0507 in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($51M, 33% of world exports), Russia (about $26M) and China ($17M). World exports came to about $154M, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 0507 in UN Comtrade data were China ($77M, 47% of world imports), South Korea ($28M) and Germany ($12M). World imports came to about $163M, 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.

HS code 0507 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 05 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (05) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (07) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.