HS Code 46.02 – Basketwork, wickerwork and other articles, made directly to shape from plaiting materials or made up from goods of heading no. 4601; articles of loofah

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.

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.

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.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 4602 in UN Comtrade data were China ($894M, 42% of world exports), Vietnam (about $366M) and Italy ($91M). World exports came to about $2.1B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 4602 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($594M, 29% of world imports), Germany ($152M) and France ($124M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 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.