HS Code 96.02 – Vegetable, mineral carving material and articles of these materials, moulded or carved articles of wax, stearin, natural gums, resins or modelling pastes, worked unhardened gelatin (not heading no. 3503)

HS code 9602 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable, mineral carving material and articles of these materials, moulded or carved articles of wax, stearin, natural gums, resins or modelling pastes, worked unhardened gelatin (not heading no. 3503). Heading 9602 covers a diverse range of articles made from 'vegetable, mineral carving material' and also 'moulded or carved articles of wax, stearin, natural gums, resins or modelling pastes,' along with 'worked unhardened gelatin.' This heading serves as a classification for items crafted from materials like meerschaum, amber, jet, and vegetable ivory (tagua nuts), provided they have been worked (e.g., carved, polished, shaped). It also includes a variety of molded or carved articles made from specific non-animal organic substances, such as beeswax figures, stearin candles (if carved or molded beyond simple candles), resin figurines, and articles made from natural gums or modeling pastes. The inclusion of 'worked unhardened gelatin' covers items like empty gelatin capsules or decorative gelatin shapes, but excludes unworked gelatin (3503). The scope excludes raw, unworked materials (found in earlier chapters), articles of plastics (Chapter 39), or genuine jewelry (Chapter 71) where the material is merely a component. Classification under 9602 is important for identifying the material composition for regulatory purposes, such as safety standards for children's modeling pastes or origin rules for specific minerals. As part of Chapter 96, 'Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles,' it groups these items as crafted goods, often of decorative or artistic value, distinguishing them from industrial chemicals or raw materials.

Meerschaum pipes, amber jewelry (worked), jet carvings, vegetable ivory buttons, beeswax candles (sculpted), stearin figures, resin figurines, modelling clay kits, worked unhardened gelatin capsules (empty), amber beads (worked), jet rosaries, carved soapstone sculptures, alabaster figures, moulded wax fruit, shellac articles, carved vegetable ivory chess pieces, amber cigarette holders, jet brooches, moulded resin decorative panels, beeswax sculptures, modeling paste art kits, worked amber pendants, carved alabaster vases, meerschaum cigar holders

Traders often misclassify items under 9602 by confusing worked materials with their raw forms or with articles made from synthetic substitutes. For example, raw amber or uncarved blocks of meerschaum belong to earlier chapters (e.g., 2530 for certain minerals), not 9602. Similarly, articles made of plastic that imitate amber or jet should be classified under Chapter 39 (e.g., 3926 for other articles of plastics), not 9602, which is reserved for the genuine natural materials. Another common mistake is classifying unworked gelatin (heading 3503) under 9602; only 'worked unhardened gelatin' falls here. The key is the 'worked' state and the specific natural material composition, distinguishing it from raw materials or synthetic imitations.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 9602 in UN Comtrade data were China ($257M, 21% of world exports), Belgium ($209M) and India ($161M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 9602 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($363M, 30% of world imports), Germany ($70M) and Spain ($60M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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.

HS code 9602 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 96 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (96) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.