HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 83.08 – 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
What HS 83.08 covers
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.
- Covers
- 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.
- 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.
Subheadings under 83.08 3
Codes often confused with 83.08
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 8308, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 8308 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 12% 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 $1.5B 32% of world exports
- 2 Italy $547M 11% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $336M 7.0% of world exports
World total: $4.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $532M 12% of world imports
- 2 Germany $303M 6.7% of world imports
- 3 Italy $290M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $4.5B 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 83.08
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 are the top exporters of goods under HS code 8308?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 8308 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.5B, 32% of world exports), Italy ($547M) and Hong Kong ($336M). World exports came to about $4.8B, 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 8308?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 8308 in UN Comtrade data were France ($532M, 12% of world imports), Germany ($303M) and Italy ($290M). World imports came to about $4.5B, 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 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.