HS Code Heading

Clasps, frames with clasps, buckles, buckle-clasps, hooks, eyes, eyelets etc for clothing & accessories, footwear, jewellery, wrist-watches, books, awnings, leather goods, travel goods, saddlery etc, tubular etc rivets, beads, spangles, of base metal

83.08 Heading
Section XV — Base metals and articles of base metal

About HS Code 8308

Heading 8308 covers a broad spectrum of small base metal fasteners and decorative elements primarily used as components in apparel, footwear, leather goods, travel goods, and various accessories. This classification is indispensable for manufacturers in the fashion, textile, and accessories industries, as well as customs brokers handling these components. The scope is defined by the 'base metal' material and the specific function as clasps, buckles, hooks, eyes, eyelets, rivets, beads, and spangles. It explicitly excludes similar items made of plastic (Chapter 39), textile materials (Chapter 58 or 63), or precious metals (Chapter 71). Key sub-categories include various types of metal zippers (as components), belt buckles, handbag clasps, jean rivets, shoe eyelets, and decorative metal beads or spangles. The 'of base metal' criterion is paramount; the item's material composition dictates its classification. This heading is part of Chapter 83, 'Miscellaneous articles of base metal,' and Section XV, 'Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal.' Its placement indicates these are finished components, not raw materials or complete finished articles like garments or jewelry. Accurate classification is critical for trade compliance, ensuring correct duty assessment, especially given the globalized nature of the apparel and accessories supply chains.

Products Under This Code

Metal zippers (components), metal buckles for belts, metal clasps for handbags, metal hooks and eyes for clothing, metal eyelets for shoes, metal rivets for jeans, metal snap fasteners, metal D-rings, metal O-rings, metal beads for embellishment, metal spangles for crafts, metal frame clasps for purses, metal strap adjusters, metal cord ends, metal stud buttons, metal chain links (small, non-jewelry), metal grommets, metal belt tips, metal handbag feet, metal collar stays, metal decorative studs for leather goods, metal toggle clasps, metal button shanks.

Real World Examples

A large apparel manufacturer in Bangladesh imports millions of metal zippers, rivets, and eyelets from China and Taiwan for its denim jeans and jacket production, destined for major European and North American markets. A luxury leather goods brand in Italy sources high-quality brass buckles and ornate clasps from specialized German suppliers for its handbags and belts, leveraging efficient intra-EU supply chains. A footwear company in Vietnam imports various metal D-rings, eyelets, and decorative metal studs from South Korea for its athletic shoe and boot manufacturing, which are then exported globally. A US-based craft supplier imports bulk metal spangles and beads from India for DIY jewelry and textile embellishment kits.

Common Misclassification

Common misclassifications for 8308 often stem from the material composition. Traders frequently confuse base metal fasteners with those made of plastic (e.g., plastic buckles or zippers, classified under 3926), or textile materials (e.g., woven labels or non-metal tapes with fasteners, possibly Chapter 58 or 63). Another mistake is classifying items made of precious metals (Chapter 71), such as gold-plated buckles, under 8308, as this heading is strictly for 'base metal.' Additionally, a finished piece of jewelry (e.g., a necklace with a clasp, 7117) or a complete garment (e.g., 6101-6217) should not be classified here, as 8308 is for the *components* themselves. The 'base metal' and 'component' nature are the key distinguishing factors.

Subheadings 3

8308.10 Hooks, eyes and eyelets; of base metal, of a kind used for clothing, footwear, awnings, handbags, travel goods or other made up articles 8308.20 Rivets; tubular or bifurcated, of base metal 8308.90 Clasps, frames with clasps, buckles, buckle clasps; of base metal, of a kind used for clothing & accessories, footwear, jewellery, wrist-watches, books, awnings, leather goods, travel goods, saddlery etc, including parts

Related Codes

83.01 Padlocks and locks (key, combination, electrically operated) of base metal; clasps and frames with clasps incorporating locks, of base metal, keys for any or the foregoing articles, of base metal 83.02 Base metal mountings, fittings and similar articles for furniture, doors, staircases, windows, trunks, chests etc, castors with mountings of base metal, automatic door closers of base metal 83.03 Safes; armoured or reinforced, strong-boxes, doors and safe deposit lockers for strong-rooms, cash or deed boxes and the like, of base metal 83.04 Office equipment; filing cabinets, card-index cabinets, paper trays and rests, pen trays, office-stamp stands and the like, of base metal, other than office furniture of heading no. 9403 83.05 Stationery; fittings for loose-leaf binders or files, letter clips, letter corners, paper clips, indexing tags and the like, staples in strips (for offices, upholstery, packaging), of base metal 83.06 Bells, gongs and the like; non-electric, statuettes, other ornaments, photograph, picture, similar frames, mirrors, of base metal 83.07 Tubing; flexible, with or without fittings, of base metal 83.09 Stoppers, caps, lids (including crown corks, screw caps, pouring stoppers); capsules for bottles, threaded bungs, bung covers, seals and other packaging accessories, of base metal 83.10 Sign plates, name plates, address plates and similar plates, numbers, letters and other symbols, of base metal, excluding those of heading no. 9405 83.11 Wires, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes of base metal or metal carbides; of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding; wires and rods for metal spraying

Industry

This code belongs to the Metals & Metal Products industry.

Trade Overview

China is the dominant global exporter of goods under 8308, driven by its massive textile, apparel, and accessories manufacturing industry. Other significant exporters include Taiwan, South Korea, and parts of Europe (e.g., Italy for high-end fashion components). Major importers are countries with large-scale manufacturing operations in apparel, footwear, and leather goods, such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Turkey, Mexico, and Indonesia. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like RCEP and various bilateral agreements are crucial for reducing tariffs on these essential components, allowing manufacturers to maintain competitive pricing in global supply chains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 8308?

HS code 8308 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Clasps, frames with clasps, buckles, buckle-clasps, hooks, eyes, eyelets etc for clothing & accessories, footwear, jewellery, wrist-watches, books, awnings, leather goods, travel goods, saddlery etc, tubular etc rivets, beads, spangles, of base metal. Heading 8308 covers a broad spectrum of small base metal fasteners and decorative elements primarily used as components in apparel, footwear, leather goods, travel goods, and various accessories. This classification is indispensable for manufacturers in the fashion, textile, and accessories industries, as well as customs brokers handling these components. The scope is defined by the 'base metal' material and the specific function as clasps, buckles, hooks, eyes, eyelets, rivets, beads, and spangles. It explicitly excludes similar items made of plastic (Chapter 39), textile materials (Chapter 58 or 63), or precious metals (Chapter 71). Key sub-categories include various types of metal zippers (as components), belt buckles, handbag clasps, jean rivets, shoe eyelets, and decorative metal beads or spangles. The 'of base metal' criterion is paramount; the item's material composition dictates its classification. This heading is part of Chapter 83, 'Miscellaneous articles of base metal,' and Section XV, 'Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal.' Its placement indicates these are finished components, not raw materials or complete finished articles like garments or jewelry. Accurate classification is critical for trade compliance, ensuring correct duty assessment, especially given the globalized nature of the apparel and accessories supply chains.

What products fall under HS code 8308?

Metal zippers (components), metal buckles for belts, metal clasps for handbags, metal hooks and eyes for clothing, metal eyelets for shoes, metal rivets for jeans, metal snap fasteners, metal D-rings, metal O-rings, metal beads for embellishment, metal spangles for crafts, metal frame clasps for purses, metal strap adjusters, metal cord ends, metal stud buttons, metal chain links (small, non-jewelry), metal grommets, metal belt tips, metal handbag feet, metal collar stays, metal decorative studs for leather goods, metal toggle clasps, metal button shanks.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 8308?

Common misclassifications for 8308 often stem from the material composition. Traders frequently confuse base metal fasteners with those made of plastic (e.g., plastic buckles or zippers, classified under 3926), or textile materials (e.g., woven labels or non-metal tapes with fasteners, possibly Chapter 58 or 63). Another mistake is classifying items made of precious metals (Chapter 71), such as gold-plated buckles, under 8308, as this heading is strictly for 'base metal.' Additionally, a finished piece of jewelry (e.g., a necklace with a clasp, 7117) or a complete garment (e.g., 6101-6217) should not be classified here, as 8308 is for the *components* themselves. The 'base metal' and 'component' nature are the key distinguishing factors.

Which countries trade the most under HS code 8308?

China is the dominant global exporter of goods under 8308, driven by its massive textile, apparel, and accessories manufacturing industry. Other significant exporters include Taiwan, South Korea, and parts of Europe (e.g., Italy for high-end fashion components). Major importers are countries with large-scale manufacturing operations in apparel, footwear, and leather goods, such as Vietnam, Bangladesh, Turkey, Mexico, and Indonesia. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) like RCEP and various bilateral agreements are crucial for reducing tariffs on these essential components, allowing manufacturers to maintain competitive pricing in global supply chains.

How is HS code 8308 structured?

HS code 8308 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 83 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (83) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (08) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.