About HS Code 4602
Heading 4602 is dedicated to finished articles made from plaiting materials, encompassing basketwork, wickerwork, and other similar items. This classification also specifically includes articles of loofah. The crucial aspect here is that these are complete, ready-for-use products, either made directly to shape from raw plaiting materials or assembled from the semi-finished goods classified under heading 4601. This range covers a vast array of items, from utilitarian baskets and furniture to decorative pieces and personal care products (loofah). The scope is broad, covering diverse plaiting materials like rattan, bamboo, straw, willow, seagrass, and rush. It explicitly excludes articles where plaiting materials are merely components of a product predominantly made of other materials (e.g., wood furniture with rattan accents might fall under Chapter 94). For trade compliance, accurate classification under 4602 is paramount due to varying duty rates, consumer safety regulations, and origin marking requirements. This heading concludes Chapter 46, which is dedicated to 'Manufactures of straw, esparto or other plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork', providing a clear home for the final products derived from these natural and sustainable resources.
Products Under This Code
Wicker baskets, rattan furniture (chairs, tables), finished straw hats, bamboo serving trays, seagrass storage boxes, loofah sponges, woven placemats, wicker laundry hampers, rattan handbags, bamboo lampshades, straw beach bags, wicker pet beds, woven wall decor, rattan room dividers, loofah bath mitts, woven picnic baskets, rattan planters, straw dolls, bamboo fruit bowls, wicker chairs, woven floor mats, loofah back scrubbers, rattan mirror frames, woven bread baskets, bamboo privacy screens.
Real World Examples
Vietnamese manufacturers are prominent exporters of finished rattan furniture sets, shipping them to major retailers in the USA and Europe via ocean freight. Chinese producers frequently supply woven bamboo serving trays and storage boxes to department stores in Australia and Canada, typically using containerized sea cargo. Artisans in Indonesia export decorative wicker baskets and fashion-forward straw hats to boutique shops in Japan and the UK, often utilizing a combination of air and sea freight for their diverse product range. Additionally, Egyptian suppliers send natural loofah sponges and various bath accessories to health and beauty retailers in Germany and the USA, primarily via air cargo to maintain product freshness.
Common Misclassification
Common errors include classifying semi-finished goods (e.g., rolls of rattan webbing) under 4602, which correctly belong to 4601. The key distinction is whether the product is a 'finished article' ready for its intended use. Another mistake arises when products are made of mixed materials; if plaiting materials are not the predominant component (e.g., a wooden table with rattan inserts), the item might fall under Chapter 94 (furniture) rather than 4602. Articles of loofah are sometimes mistakenly classified as textile articles (Chapter 63) if their natural, fibrous origin is overlooked, leading to incorrect duty rates and regulatory oversight.
Subheadings 4
Industry
This code belongs to the Wood & Wood Products industry.
Trade Overview
Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and the Philippines are major global exporters of articles under 4602, benefiting from abundant raw materials and skilled craftsmanship. Other notable exporters include some African countries and Latin American nations. Key importers are the USA, EU countries (especially Germany, France, and the UK), Japan, and Australia, driven by strong consumer demand for home decor, furniture, and natural lifestyle products. Tariffs for finished articles can be higher than for raw or semi-processed goods, but specific trade agreements often provide preferential duty rates, encouraging this vibrant sector of global trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 4602?
HS code 4602 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Basketwork, wickerwork and other articles, made directly to shape from plaiting materials or made up from goods of heading no. 4601; articles of loofah. Heading 4602 is dedicated to finished articles made from plaiting materials, encompassing basketwork, wickerwork, and other similar items. This classification also specifically includes articles of loofah. The crucial aspect here is that these are complete, ready-for-use products, either made directly to shape from raw plaiting materials or assembled from the semi-finished goods classified under heading 4601. This range covers a vast array of items, from utilitarian baskets and furniture to decorative pieces and personal care products (loofah). The scope is broad, covering diverse plaiting materials like rattan, bamboo, straw, willow, seagrass, and rush. It explicitly excludes articles where plaiting materials are merely components of a product predominantly made of other materials (e.g., wood furniture with rattan accents might fall under Chapter 94). For trade compliance, accurate classification under 4602 is paramount due to varying duty rates, consumer safety regulations, and origin marking requirements. This heading concludes Chapter 46, which is dedicated to 'Manufactures of straw, esparto or other plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork', providing a clear home for the final products derived from these natural and sustainable resources.
What products fall under HS code 4602?
Wicker baskets, rattan furniture (chairs, tables), finished straw hats, bamboo serving trays, seagrass storage boxes, loofah sponges, woven placemats, wicker laundry hampers, rattan handbags, bamboo lampshades, straw beach bags, wicker pet beds, woven wall decor, rattan room dividers, loofah bath mitts, woven picnic baskets, rattan planters, straw dolls, bamboo fruit bowls, wicker chairs, woven floor mats, loofah back scrubbers, rattan mirror frames, woven bread baskets, bamboo privacy screens.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 4602?
Common errors include classifying semi-finished goods (e.g., rolls of rattan webbing) under 4602, which correctly belong to 4601. The key distinction is whether the product is a 'finished article' ready for its intended use. Another mistake arises when products are made of mixed materials; if plaiting materials are not the predominant component (e.g., a wooden table with rattan inserts), the item might fall under Chapter 94 (furniture) rather than 4602. Articles of loofah are sometimes mistakenly classified as textile articles (Chapter 63) if their natural, fibrous origin is overlooked, leading to incorrect duty rates and regulatory oversight.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 4602?
Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam, Indonesia, China, and the Philippines are major global exporters of articles under 4602, benefiting from abundant raw materials and skilled craftsmanship. Other notable exporters include some African countries and Latin American nations. Key importers are the USA, EU countries (especially Germany, France, and the UK), Japan, and Australia, driven by strong consumer demand for home decor, furniture, and natural lifestyle products. Tariffs for finished articles can be higher than for raw or semi-processed goods, but specific trade agreements often provide preferential duty rates, encouraging this vibrant sector of global trade.
How is HS code 4602 structured?
HS code 4602 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 46 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (46) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.