HS code · 2-digit chapter

HS Code 43 – Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof

What HS 43 covers

HS Chapter 43, encompassing "Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof," is a crucial classification for international trade in luxury goods, fashion, and raw materials. This chapter specifically covers raw furskins (including heads, tails, paws, and other pieces suitable for furriers' use), dressed furskins (whether assembled or not), and articles made from natural or artificial fur. It distinguishes furskins intended for furriers from ordinary hides and skins classified under Chapter 41, which are typically for leather production. The scope extends to both natural furs of various animals like mink, fox, sable, chinchilla, and their manufactured forms such as coats, stoles, and linings, as well as synthetic or imitation fur materials and articles made from them. Key sub-categories include raw furskins (4301), dressed furskins (4302), articles of natural furskin (4303), and artificial fur and its articles (4304). Classification under Chapter 43 is paramount for trade compliance due to the high value of these goods, their frequent association with CITES regulations (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and specific luxury taxes or import restrictions. Historically, the fur trade has been a significant global industry, evolving from practical necessity to a symbol of luxury, with modern trade balancing ethical considerations and environmental impact with consumer demand. Accurate classification ensures correct duty assessment, adherence to international conservation agreements, and avoidance of costly penalties.

Covers
  • Raw mink furskins
  • Dressed fox furskins
  • Sable fur plates
  • Chinchilla fur crosses
  • Lynx fur linings
  • Beaver fur collars
  • Sealskin coats
  • Mink stoles
  • Fox fur hats
  • Lamb fur gloves (for furrier's use)
  • Rabbit fur scarves (for furrier's use)
  • Muskrat fur vests
  • Artificial mink fabric
  • Synthetic fox fur coats
  • Faux fur throws
  • Faux fur trim for garments
  • Sable fur muffs
  • Ermine fur capes
  • Karakul fur jackets
  • Dressed racoon furskins
  • Artificial fur blankets
  • Fur skin rugs
  • Fur skin handbags
  • Fur skin footwear uppers
  • Fur skin cushions
Examples

A luxury fashion house in Milan, Italy, regularly imports high-quality dressed mink furskins from farms in Denmark for the production of their exclusive winter coat collections. These shipments travel via air cargo from Copenhagen to Milan, subject to specific EU customs procedures and CITES checks if applicable. Canadian furriers export finished sable fur stoles and jackets to high-end boutiques in New York City, USA, leveraging established trade routes and often benefiting from NAFTA/USMCA tariff preferences, though CITES permits are crucial for certain species. A large textile manufacturer in Guangzhou, China, produces and exports thousands of artificial fox fur coats to a fast-fashion retailer in Hamburg, Germany. These goods are typically shipped via ocean freight, undergoing standard customs clearance processes in both countries, with an emphasis on material composition verification. A Russian company specializes in exporting raw lynx furskins to a tanning and dressing facility in Kastoria, Greece, a renowned center for fur processing. This trade involves careful documentation of origin and adherence to CITES regulations for wild-caught animals. An interior design firm in Dubai, UAE, imports custom-made beaver fur rugs and throws from specialized artisans in Canada, requiring meticulous customs declarations for luxury items and ensuring compliance with all international wildlife trade agreements.

Headings in chapter 43 4

43.01Raw furskins (including heads, tails, paws, other pieces or cuttings, suitable for furriers' use), excluding raw hides and skins of heading no. 4101, 4102 or 410343.02Tanned or dressed furskins (including heads, tails, paws, other pieces, cuttings), unassembled, or assembled (without addition of other materials), excluding those of heading no. 430343.03Articles of apparel, clothing accessories and other articles of furskin43.04Artificial fur and articles thereof

13 Brazil NCM codes in chapter 43 →

Codes often confused with 43

Common mistake. Traders commonly misclassify furskins by confusing them with ordinary hides and skins (Chapter 41) or with textile articles merely trimmed with fur (Chapters 61 or 62). A key distinction is whether the skin is "suitable for furriers' use"; if not, it likely falls under Chapter 41 (e.g., raw bovine hides for leather). Articles of apparel are often confused: if fur is the *predominant* material, it's Chapter 43 (e.g., a full fur coat); if fur is only a *trimming* on a textile garment, it belongs to the respective textile chapter (e.g., a wool coat with a fur collar in Chapter 62). Misclassifying can lead to incorrect duty rates, non-compliance with CITES, and significant penalties.

Top exporters and importers of HS code 43, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 43 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world imports. Cambodia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 4.4% of its imports here ($17M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $720M
  2. 2 Italy $395M
  3. 3 Finland $320M

World total: $3.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $571M
  2. 2 Thailand $205M
  3. 3 Finland $190M

Cambodia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 4.4% of its imports here ($17M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

World total: $2.8B 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 43

What is HS code 43?

HS code 43 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof. HS Chapter 43, encompassing "Furskins and artificial fur; manufactures thereof," is a crucial classification for international trade in luxury goods, fashion, and raw materials. This chapter specifically covers raw furskins (including heads, tails, paws, and other pieces suitable for furriers' use), dressed furskins (whether assembled or not), and articles made from natural or artificial fur. It distinguishes furskins intended for furriers from ordinary hides and skins classified under Chapter 41, which are typically for leather production. The scope extends to both natural furs of various animals like mink, fox, sable, chinchilla, and their manufactured forms such as coats, stoles, and linings, as well as synthetic or imitation fur materials and articles made from them. Key sub-categories include raw furskins (4301), dressed furskins (4302), articles of natural furskin (4303), and artificial fur and its articles (4304). Classification under Chapter 43 is paramount for trade compliance due to the high value of these goods, their frequent association with CITES regulations (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and specific luxury taxes or import restrictions. Historically, the fur trade has been a significant global industry, evolving from practical necessity to a symbol of luxury, with modern trade balancing ethical considerations and environmental impact with consumer demand. Accurate classification ensures correct duty assessment, adherence to international conservation agreements, and avoidance of costly penalties.

What products fall under HS code 43?

Raw mink furskins, Dressed fox furskins, Sable fur plates, Chinchilla fur crosses, Lynx fur linings, Beaver fur collars, Sealskin coats, Mink stoles, Fox fur hats, Lamb fur gloves (for furrier's use), Rabbit fur scarves (for furrier's use), Muskrat fur vests, Artificial mink fabric, Synthetic fox fur coats, Faux fur throws, Faux fur trim for garments, Sable fur muffs, Ermine fur capes, Karakul fur jackets, Dressed racoon furskins, Artificial fur blankets, Fur skin rugs, Fur skin handbags, Fur skin footwear uppers, Fur skin cushions

What are common misclassifications for HS code 43?

Traders commonly misclassify furskins by confusing them with ordinary hides and skins (Chapter 41) or with textile articles merely trimmed with fur (Chapters 61 or 62). A key distinction is whether the skin is "suitable for furriers' use"; if not, it likely falls under Chapter 41 (e.g., raw bovine hides for leather). Articles of apparel are often confused: if fur is the *predominant* material, it's Chapter 43 (e.g., a full fur coat); if fur is only a *trimming* on a textile garment, it belongs to the respective textile chapter (e.g., a wool coat with a fur collar in Chapter 62). Misclassifying can lead to incorrect duty rates, non-compliance with CITES, and significant penalties.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 43?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 43 in UN Comtrade data were China ($720M, 23% of world exports), Italy ($395M) and Finland ($320M). World exports came to about $3.1B, 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 43?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 43 in UN Comtrade data were China ($571M, 20% of world imports), Thailand ($205M) and Finland ($190M). World imports came to about $2.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Cambodia did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 4.4% of its imports here ($17M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.

How is HS code 43 structured?

HS code 43 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.