Human hair, dressed, thinned, bleached or otherwise worked; wool or other animal hair or other textile materials, prepared for use in making wigs or the like

HS code 6703 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Human hair, dressed, thinned, bleached or otherwise worked; wool or other animal hair or other textile materials, prepared for use in making wigs or the like. Heading 6703 classifies "Human hair, dressed, thinned, bleached or otherwise worked; wool or other animal hair or other textile materials, prepared for use in making wigs or the like." This crucial heading covers the raw materials, after initial processing, that are destined for the manufacture of wigs, false beards, hair extensions, and similar articles. The scope includes human hair that has undergone cleaning, sorting, bleaching, dyeing, thinning, or other preparatory treatments, but is not yet fashioned into a finished wig or hairpiece. It also extends to animal hair (like yak or goat hair) and synthetic textile materials specifically prepared and presented for wig-making. The key differentiator from raw human hair (0501) is the 'worked' or 'prepared for use' aspect. This classification is fundamental for the global hair products industry, ensuring proper customs valuation and compliance for these intermediate goods. Misclassification can lead to significant duty discrepancies and regulatory issues, especially given varying tariffs on raw versus processed materials. Historically, the trade in human hair has involved complex supply chains, often from regions with strong cultural traditions of hair donation to manufacturing hubs. This heading establishes the classification for these semi-processed inputs, acting as a bridge between raw materials and the finished articles found in heading 6704.

Human hair (washed, disinfected, sorted), bleached human hair, dyed human hair, thinned human hair, human hair wefts (unsewn, for wig making), human hair bundles (cleaned, sorted), processed yak hair for wigs, prepared mohair for doll wigs, synthetic wig fibers (cut, bundled for wig making), processed horsehair for wig foundations, cleaned goat hair for theatrical wigs, human hair for extensions (unattached), human hair for toupees (unattached), textile monofilaments prepared for wig making, heat-resistant synthetic fibers for wigs, prepared animal hair for false beards, human hair for weaving (before weaving into finished product), human hair on a temporary backing (for processing), human hair raw but bundled for sale to wig makers, processed alpaca hair for wigs, processed camel hair for wigs.

A frequent misclassification occurs between 6703 and 0501 (raw human hair). The distinction is crucial: 6703 specifies 'dressed, thinned, bleached or otherwise worked' hair, meaning it has undergone processing, whereas 0501 is unworked. Another common error is confusing these prepared materials with finished articles like wigs, which fall under 6704. Heading 6703 is strictly for the raw material prepared for wig-making, not the final product. Additionally, textile materials not explicitly 'prepared for use in making wigs or the like' should not be classified here and would instead fall under general textile chapters (e.g., 54 or 55 for synthetic fibers).

Major suppliers of raw human hair, which then gets processed under 6703, include India, China, and Southeast Asian countries. China, Vietnam, and Indonesia are significant exporters of worked human hair and prepared synthetic fibers. Key importers are the USA, European Union countries, and various African nations, driven by the demand for finished hair products. Sanitary certificates are often required for human and animal hair to prevent disease transmission. Trade agreements can offer preferential duty rates for these processed materials, influencing sourcing decisions for global wig and hair extension manufacturers.

HS code 6703 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 67 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (67) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (03) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.