HS Code Heading

Glass; cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass of heading 85.49, glass in the mass

70.01 Heading
Section XIII — Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials; ceramic products; glass and glassware

About HS Code 7001

Heading 7001 encompasses 'Glass; cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass of heading 85.49, glass in the mass.' This classification is fundamental to the glass industry and the circular economy, covering raw or recycled glass materials. 'Cullet' refers to broken or waste glass, which is a primary raw material for manufacturing new glass products, reducing energy consumption and raw material extraction. The scope is broad, including various forms of waste and scrap glass from industrial processes or post-consumer recycling, such as broken bottles, jars, window glass, and industrial glass off-cuts. Crucially, specific exclusions are noted: glass in the mass (which is molten or bulk unformed glass, often considered a stage of manufacturing) and, more importantly, glass from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or other activated glass of heading 85.49. These exclusions are due to the hazardous materials (e.g., lead) often found in CRT glass, requiring specialized handling and classification under electronic waste. Classification here is vital for environmental compliance, waste management regulations, and determining raw material tariffs, which are often low or zero to encourage recycling. This heading forms the very foundation of Chapter 70, which covers 'Glass and glassware,' by addressing the initial raw material inputs for glass production.

Products Under This Code

Clear glass cullet, amber glass cullet, green glass cullet, mixed color glass cullet, broken glass bottles, discarded glass jars, waste window glass, industrial glass scrap, optical glass waste, laboratory glassware scrap (broken), lamp glass scrap, flat glass cullet, beverage bottle cullet, pharmaceutical glass cullet, cosmetic bottle cullet, furnace-ready cullet, pre-sorted cullet, post-consumer glass waste, pre-industrial glass waste, sheet glass scrap, automotive glass cullet, container glass cullet, insulation glass scrap, borosilicate glass cullet, soda-lime glass cullet.

Real World Examples

A large glass bottle manufacturer in Spain regularly imports tons of sorted clear and amber glass cullet from recycling facilities across the United Kingdom and France, transported via sea and road to feed its furnaces for new bottle production. A US recycling company exports mixed-color glass cullet to Mexico, where it is often used as an aggregate in construction materials and road building, leveraging efficient cross-border logistics. A major Chinese glass fiber producer imports waste window glass and other flat glass scrap from Japan and South Korea, utilizing established shipping lanes to secure raw materials for its industrial applications. Additionally, an Indian pharmaceutical glass factory sources high-quality amber glass cullet from the Middle East, ensuring a steady supply for its specialized packaging needs.

Common Misclassification

Common misclassifications for Heading 7001 primarily stem from misunderstanding its exclusions and the 'waste and scrap' definition. A frequent mistake is classifying glass from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or other activated glass here, when these hazardous electronic waste components belong in 8549 ('Waste and scrap of electrical or electronic equipment'). Another error is classifying unworked glass in primary forms, such as glass in balls, rods, or tubes, here instead of 7002, which covers 'Glass in balls (other than microspheres of heading no. 7018), rods or tubes, unworked.' Lastly, 'glass in the mass' (bulk unformed glass) is explicitly excluded, meaning molten or raw, unshaped glass is not classified here. The key is to verify the 'waste and scrap' nature and strictly adhere to the specific exclusions to avoid compliance issues, especially concerning hazardous waste regulations.

Subheadings 1

Industry

This code belongs to the Automotive & Vehicles industry.

Trade Overview

Major importers and exporters for goods under HS 7001 are typically countries with robust glass manufacturing industries and strong recycling infrastructure. Key players include countries within the European Union (e.g., Germany, France, Spain), the United States, China, Japan, and Mexico. Trade in cullet is often driven by regional supply and demand for recycled content, with environmental regulations playing a significant role. Tariff rates are generally low or zero across many trade agreements, as the import of cullet is often encouraged to support sustainability initiatives and reduce raw material costs for glass producers. This makes origin and specific type of cullet (e.g., color-sorted) important for logistics and quality control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 7001?

HS code 7001 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Glass; cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass of heading 85.49, glass in the mass. Heading 7001 encompasses 'Glass; cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass of heading 85.49, glass in the mass.' This classification is fundamental to the glass industry and the circular economy, covering raw or recycled glass materials. 'Cullet' refers to broken or waste glass, which is a primary raw material for manufacturing new glass products, reducing energy consumption and raw material extraction. The scope is broad, including various forms of waste and scrap glass from industrial processes or post-consumer recycling, such as broken bottles, jars, window glass, and industrial glass off-cuts. Crucially, specific exclusions are noted: glass in the mass (which is molten or bulk unformed glass, often considered a stage of manufacturing) and, more importantly, glass from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or other activated glass of heading 85.49. These exclusions are due to the hazardous materials (e.g., lead) often found in CRT glass, requiring specialized handling and classification under electronic waste. Classification here is vital for environmental compliance, waste management regulations, and determining raw material tariffs, which are often low or zero to encourage recycling. This heading forms the very foundation of Chapter 70, which covers 'Glass and glassware,' by addressing the initial raw material inputs for glass production.

What products fall under HS code 7001?

Clear glass cullet, amber glass cullet, green glass cullet, mixed color glass cullet, broken glass bottles, discarded glass jars, waste window glass, industrial glass scrap, optical glass waste, laboratory glassware scrap (broken), lamp glass scrap, flat glass cullet, beverage bottle cullet, pharmaceutical glass cullet, cosmetic bottle cullet, furnace-ready cullet, pre-sorted cullet, post-consumer glass waste, pre-industrial glass waste, sheet glass scrap, automotive glass cullet, container glass cullet, insulation glass scrap, borosilicate glass cullet, soda-lime glass cullet.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 7001?

Common misclassifications for Heading 7001 primarily stem from misunderstanding its exclusions and the 'waste and scrap' definition. A frequent mistake is classifying glass from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or other activated glass here, when these hazardous electronic waste components belong in 8549 ('Waste and scrap of electrical or electronic equipment'). Another error is classifying unworked glass in primary forms, such as glass in balls, rods, or tubes, here instead of 7002, which covers 'Glass in balls (other than microspheres of heading no. 7018), rods or tubes, unworked.' Lastly, 'glass in the mass' (bulk unformed glass) is explicitly excluded, meaning molten or raw, unshaped glass is not classified here. The key is to verify the 'waste and scrap' nature and strictly adhere to the specific exclusions to avoid compliance issues, especially concerning hazardous waste regulations.

Which countries trade the most under HS code 7001?

Major importers and exporters for goods under HS 7001 are typically countries with robust glass manufacturing industries and strong recycling infrastructure. Key players include countries within the European Union (e.g., Germany, France, Spain), the United States, China, Japan, and Mexico. Trade in cullet is often driven by regional supply and demand for recycled content, with environmental regulations playing a significant role. Tariff rates are generally low or zero across many trade agreements, as the import of cullet is often encouraged to support sustainability initiatives and reduce raw material costs for glass producers. This makes origin and specific type of cullet (e.g., color-sorted) important for logistics and quality control.

How is HS code 7001 structured?

HS code 7001 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 70 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (70) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.