HS Code 42.06 – Articles of gut (other than silk-worm gut), of goldbeater's skin, of bladders or of tendons

HS code 4206 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Articles of gut (other than silk-worm gut), of goldbeater's skin, of bladders or of tendons. Heading 4206 is a highly specialized classification covering articles made from specific animal by-products: gut (other than silk-worm gut), goldbeater's skin, bladders, or tendons. This heading captures niche products that utilize the unique properties of these natural materials, which are often characterized by their strength, elasticity, and biodegradability. The scope is very precise, excluding synthetic alternatives or raw forms of these materials if not yet manufactured into articles. 'Gut' typically refers to animal intestines, used for items like surgical sutures or musical instrument strings. 'Goldbeater's skin,' derived from the caecum of oxen, is known for its extreme thinness and strength, used in the delicate process of gold leaf application. 'Bladders' are used for specialized containers or coverings, while 'tendons' are valued for their tensile strength in items like bowstrings. This classification is vital for trade compliance due to the unique nature of these products, which often have specific health, safety, or origin regulations, especially for medical applications. Historically, these materials were foundational to many crafts and industries before the advent of synthetics, and they continue to hold significance in traditional arts, specialized sports, and medical fields, maintaining a distinct, albeit smaller, market within Chapter 42's focus on animal-derived products.

Surgical catgut sutures, natural gut tennis racket strings, natural gut musical instrument strings (e.g., violin, cello), goldbeater's skin (for gold leaf production), natural sausage casings (from gut), animal bladder pouches, drumheads (made from bladder/skin), fishing leaders (gut), archery bowstrings (tendon), medical ligatures (gut), gut fishing lines, gut for clock mechanisms, gut for loom heddles, gut for machinery drives, gut for traditional crafts, gut for surgical ligatures, gut for specialized filters, gut for decorative items.

Misclassification often occurs when synthetic alternatives are mistaken for natural products under 4206. For example, synthetic tennis racket strings (often Chapter 39 for plastics or Chapter 56 for textile materials) should not be classified here. Confusion also arises with raw animal products (Chapter 05) if the materials are not yet 'articles' or have not undergone sufficient processing. Additionally, silk-worm gut is specifically excluded and falls under Chapter 50 (Silk). The key is the specific animal origin and the manufactured 'article' status.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 4206 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($11M, 42% of world exports), France ($5.4M) and Spain ($3.2M). World exports came to about $27M, 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 4206 in UN Comtrade data were France ($24M, 59% of world imports), Italy ($4.1M) and the United States ($2.6M). World imports came to about $40M, 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 4206 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 42 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (42) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.