HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 46.01 – Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, assembled into strips or not; plaiting materials, plaits and the like bound together in parallel strands or woven in sheet form, finished articles or not
What HS 46.01 covers
Heading 4601 encompasses semi-finished products derived from plaiting materials, which are distinct from both raw plaiting materials and fully finished articles. This classification includes plaits and similar products, whether or not assembled into strips, as well as plaiting materials, plaits, and the like bound together in parallel strands or woven in sheet form. The key characteristic is that these are intermediate goods, ready for further manufacturing into finished articles, but not yet complete items themselves. Examples include woven bamboo sheets, rattan webbing, or plaited straw strips. The scope is broad, covering a variety of natural and sometimes synthetic plaiting materials like straw, rattan, bamboo, rush, willow, and paper yarn. It excludes raw, unprocessed plaiting materials (often in Chapter 14) and finished articles made from these materials (4602). For trade compliance, accurate classification is vital to differentiate between raw materials, semi-processed goods, and finished products, as duty rates, import quotas, and phytosanitary regulations can differ significantly. This heading functions as a crucial bridge within Chapter 46, which covers 'Manufactures of straw, esparto or other plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork', providing clarity on the stage of processing for these natural fiber products.
- Covers
- Rattan core cane
- Rattan peel
- Bamboo strips for weaving
- Plaited straw strips
- Raffia braids
- Woven bamboo sheets (unfinished)
- Plaited reed mats (in rolls)
- Plaited jute ropes
- Wicker cane webbing
- Esparto grass braids
- Woven palm leaf sheets
- Plaited seagrass strips
- Paper yarn plaits
- Rush matting (in rolls)
- Unfinished straw hat bodies (plaited)
- Plaited synthetic textile strips (for weaving)
- Split bamboo for weaving
- Woven sisal sheets
- Plaited hemp cordage (for crafts)
- Plaited water hyacinth strips
- Plaited willow strips
- Plaited wheat straw braids
- Plaited banana fiber strips
- Plaited abaca fiber strips.
- Examples
Indonesian suppliers frequently export substantial quantities of rattan core cane and peel to furniture manufacturers in Vietnam and China, which are then woven into chairs and tables, typically transported via ocean containers. Filipino artisans often ship intricately woven abaca sheets to hat makers in Italy and Spain, where they are shaped into high-fashion accessories, usually via air cargo for their delicate nature. Chinese factories are major exporters of plaited bamboo strips and large woven bamboo sheets to flooring and wall covering producers in the USA and Europe, primarily using sea freight. Additionally, Moroccan producers supply plaited esparto grass strips to espadrille shoe manufacturers in Spain and France, often through road transport and short-sea shipping routes.
Subheadings under 46.01 7
Codes often confused with 46.01
Common mistake. A common misclassification error involves distinguishing between raw plaiting materials (e.g., unprocessed bamboo in Chapter 14) and the semi-finished goods of 4601. For example, raw rattan poles are not classified here, but peeled or split rattan woven into strips or sheets would be. Another frequent mistake is classifying finished articles (e.g., a completed basket) under 4601 instead of 4602. The distinction hinges on whether the product is an 'article' ready for use. Additionally, plaits made predominantly of synthetic textile materials might be confused with textile products (Chapter 58 or 63) rather than plaiting materials, requiring careful material composition analysis.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 4601, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 4601 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 15% 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 $318M 61% of world exports
- 2 India $44M 8.6% of world exports
- 3 France $23M 4.4% of world exports
World total: $517M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $64M 15% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$57M 14% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 France $30M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $425M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 46.01
What is HS code 4601?
HS code 4601 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Plaits and similar products of plaiting materials, assembled into strips or not; plaiting materials, plaits and the like bound together in parallel strands or woven in sheet form, finished articles or not. Heading 4601 encompasses semi-finished products derived from plaiting materials, which are distinct from both raw plaiting materials and fully finished articles. This classification includes plaits and similar products, whether or not assembled into strips, as well as plaiting materials, plaits, and the like bound together in parallel strands or woven in sheet form. The key characteristic is that these are intermediate goods, ready for further manufacturing into finished articles, but not yet complete items themselves. Examples include woven bamboo sheets, rattan webbing, or plaited straw strips. The scope is broad, covering a variety of natural and sometimes synthetic plaiting materials like straw, rattan, bamboo, rush, willow, and paper yarn. It excludes raw, unprocessed plaiting materials (often in Chapter 14) and finished articles made from these materials (4602). For trade compliance, accurate classification is vital to differentiate between raw materials, semi-processed goods, and finished products, as duty rates, import quotas, and phytosanitary regulations can differ significantly. This heading functions as a crucial bridge within Chapter 46, which covers 'Manufactures of straw, esparto or other plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork', providing clarity on the stage of processing for these natural fiber products.
What products fall under HS code 4601?
Rattan core cane, rattan peel, bamboo strips for weaving, plaited straw strips, raffia braids, woven bamboo sheets (unfinished), plaited reed mats (in rolls), plaited jute ropes, wicker cane webbing, esparto grass braids, woven palm leaf sheets, plaited seagrass strips, paper yarn plaits, rush matting (in rolls), unfinished straw hat bodies (plaited), plaited synthetic textile strips (for weaving), split bamboo for weaving, woven sisal sheets, plaited hemp cordage (for crafts), plaited water hyacinth strips, plaited willow strips, plaited wheat straw braids, plaited banana fiber strips, plaited abaca fiber strips.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 4601?
A common misclassification error involves distinguishing between raw plaiting materials (e.g., unprocessed bamboo in Chapter 14) and the semi-finished goods of 4601. For example, raw rattan poles are not classified here, but peeled or split rattan woven into strips or sheets would be. Another frequent mistake is classifying finished articles (e.g., a completed basket) under 4601 instead of 4602. The distinction hinges on whether the product is an 'article' ready for use. Additionally, plaits made predominantly of synthetic textile materials might be confused with textile products (Chapter 58 or 63) rather than plaiting materials, requiring careful material composition analysis.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 4601?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 4601 in UN Comtrade data were China ($318M, 61% of world exports), India ($44M) and France ($23M). World exports came to about $517M, 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 4601?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 4601 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($64M, 15% of world imports), Vietnam (about $57M) and France ($30M). World imports came to about $425M, 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 4601 structured?
HS code 4601 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 46 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (46) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.