HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 73.19 – Sewing and knitting needles, bodkins, crochet hooks, embroidery stilettos and similar articles, for use in the hand, of iron or steel; safety pins and other pins of iron or steel, not elsewhere specified or included
What HS 73.19 covers
Heading 7319 covers a distinct category of articles made of iron or steel, primarily designed for manual use in textile work and personal fastening. This includes sewing needles, knitting needles, bodkins, crochet hooks, embroidery stilettos, and similar articles for use in the hand. Additionally, it encompasses safety pins and other pins of iron or steel not specified elsewhere in the Harmonized System. This classification is vital for trade compliance as it differentiates these specific hand tools and personal accessories from machine parts or other types of pins. The scope emphasizes 'for use in the hand,' distinguishing them from industrial or machine-operated counterparts. Key sub-categories might include various sizes and types of sewing needles (hand sewing, darning), knitting needles (straight, circular, double-pointed), and different designs of safety pins (diaper pins, blanket pins). This heading plays a significant role in the trade of craft supplies, haberdashery, and apparel accessories. For importers and exporters, accurate classification ensures correct duty rates, adherence to product safety standards (especially for items used by children), and proper statistical tracking of consumer goods. As part of Chapter 73, it consistently applies the 'of iron or steel' material criterion, reinforcing the HS structure. Its historical context is rooted in millennia of textile production and personal adornment, evolving from basic tools to finely crafted precision instruments.
- Covers
- Hand sewing needles
- Darning needles
- Embroidery needles
- Tapestry needles
- Quilting needles
- Straight knitting needles
- Circular knitting needles
- Double-pointed knitting needles
- Crochet hooks
- Bodkins
- Embroidery stilettos
- Lace hooks
- Safety pins
- Diaper pins
- Kilt pins
- Blanket pins
- Hat pins
- Corsage pins
- Dressmaker pins
- Pearl head pins
- Glass head pins
- T-pins
- Bank pins
- Map pins
- Push pins (of iron or steel)
- Examples
A crafts supply distributor in the United States imports a diverse range of hand sewing needles, knitting needles, and crochet hooks from a manufacturer in China, typically via ocean freight for bulk orders. A clothing accessory company in Germany sources various sizes of safety pins and dressmaker pins from India for its garment manufacturing clients, often using a combination of air and sea freight. A textile artist in the United Kingdom orders specialized embroidery stilettos and tapestry needles from a small artisan producer in Japan, usually shipped via air postal services. A large retailer in Canada imports bulk quantities of pearl head pins and T-pins from Vietnam for its haberdashery sections, utilizing efficient container shipping routes.
Subheadings under 73.19 2
Codes often confused with 73.19
Common mistake. A common misclassification under 7319 involves confusing hand-use needles with machine needles. Sewing machine needles, for instance, are specifically classified under 8452 ('Sewing machines, other than book-sewing machines of heading 8440; furniture, bases and covers specially designed for sewing machines; sewing machine needles; parts thereof'). Another frequent error is classifying pins made of materials other than iron or steel, such as plastic-headed pins with steel shafts, which, if the plastic head gives the essential character, might fall under Chapter 96 ('Miscellaneous manufactured articles'), specifically 9606 for buttons or fasteners. Similarly, drawing pins or thumb tacks that are primarily for fastening paper to surfaces are correctly classified under 7317 ('Nails, tacks, drawing pins...'), even though they are a type of pin, due to their specific functional distinction.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7319, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7319 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 50% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 11% 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 $163M 50% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $21M 6.3% of world exports
- 3 United States $20M 6.0% of world exports
World total: $328M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $39M 11% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $36M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 United States $27M 7.2% of world imports
World total: $370M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 73.19
What is HS code 7319?
HS code 7319 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sewing and knitting needles, bodkins, crochet hooks, embroidery stilettos and similar articles, for use in the hand, of iron or steel; safety pins and other pins of iron or steel, not elsewhere specified or included. Heading 7319 covers a distinct category of articles made of iron or steel, primarily designed for manual use in textile work and personal fastening. This includes sewing needles, knitting needles, bodkins, crochet hooks, embroidery stilettos, and similar articles for use in the hand. Additionally, it encompasses safety pins and other pins of iron or steel not specified elsewhere in the Harmonized System. This classification is vital for trade compliance as it differentiates these specific hand tools and personal accessories from machine parts or other types of pins. The scope emphasizes 'for use in the hand,' distinguishing them from industrial or machine-operated counterparts. Key sub-categories might include various sizes and types of sewing needles (hand sewing, darning), knitting needles (straight, circular, double-pointed), and different designs of safety pins (diaper pins, blanket pins). This heading plays a significant role in the trade of craft supplies, haberdashery, and apparel accessories. For importers and exporters, accurate classification ensures correct duty rates, adherence to product safety standards (especially for items used by children), and proper statistical tracking of consumer goods. As part of Chapter 73, it consistently applies the 'of iron or steel' material criterion, reinforcing the HS structure. Its historical context is rooted in millennia of textile production and personal adornment, evolving from basic tools to finely crafted precision instruments.
What products fall under HS code 7319?
Hand sewing needles, darning needles, embroidery needles, tapestry needles, quilting needles, straight knitting needles, circular knitting needles, double-pointed knitting needles, crochet hooks, bodkins, embroidery stilettos, lace hooks, safety pins, diaper pins, kilt pins, blanket pins, hat pins, corsage pins, dressmaker pins, pearl head pins, glass head pins, T-pins, bank pins, map pins, push pins (of iron or steel)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7319?
A common misclassification under 7319 involves confusing hand-use needles with machine needles. Sewing machine needles, for instance, are specifically classified under 8452 ('Sewing machines, other than book-sewing machines of heading 8440; furniture, bases and covers specially designed for sewing machines; sewing machine needles; parts thereof'). Another frequent error is classifying pins made of materials other than iron or steel, such as plastic-headed pins with steel shafts, which, if the plastic head gives the essential character, might fall under Chapter 96 ('Miscellaneous manufactured articles'), specifically 9606 for buttons or fasteners. Similarly, drawing pins or thumb tacks that are primarily for fastening paper to surfaces are correctly classified under 7317 ('Nails, tacks, drawing pins...'), even though they are a type of pin, due to their specific functional distinction.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7319?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7319 in UN Comtrade data were China ($163M, 50% of world exports), Malaysia ($21M) and the United States ($20M). World exports came to about $328M, 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 7319?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7319 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($39M, 11% of world imports), Indonesia ($36M) and the United States ($27M). World imports came to about $370M, 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 7319 structured?
HS code 7319 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 73 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (73) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (19) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.