About HS Code 9602
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.
Products Under This Code
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
Real World Examples
A specialized tobacco shop in Germany imports hand-carved meerschaum pipes from artisans in Turkey, shipping them by air cargo for their high value and delicate nature. Simultaneously, a craft supply wholesaler in the United States sources bulk quantities of resin figurines and modeling paste kits from manufacturers in China, typically via ocean freight to West Coast ports, for distribution to hobby stores. Furthermore, a natural products company in France imports worked vegetable ivory buttons from producers in Ecuador, utilizing sea freight, ensuring the sustainable sourcing of these eco-friendly materials for the fashion industry.
Common Misclassification
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.
Subheadings 1
Industry
This code belongs to the Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles industry.
Trade Overview
Major exporters for goods under 9602 vary by material: Turkey is known for meerschaum articles, countries in the Baltic region for worked amber, and China for resin and wax articles and modeling pastes. Key importers include the United States, European Union member states, and Japan, driven by demand for decorative items, craft supplies, and niche products. While not subject to CITES in the same way as 9601, origin rules for specific minerals and safety standards for modeling pastes (especially for children) are important considerations. Tariffs are generally standard, but specific trade agreements may offer preferential rates for certain materials like vegetable ivory from developing countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 9602?
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.
What products fall under HS code 9602?
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
What are common misclassifications for HS code 9602?
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.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 9602?
Major exporters for goods under 9602 vary by material: Turkey is known for meerschaum articles, countries in the Baltic region for worked amber, and China for resin and wax articles and modeling pastes. Key importers include the United States, European Union member states, and Japan, driven by demand for decorative items, craft supplies, and niche products. While not subject to CITES in the same way as 9601, origin rules for specific minerals and safety standards for modeling pastes (especially for children) are important considerations. Tariffs are generally standard, but specific trade agreements may offer preferential rates for certain materials like vegetable ivory from developing countries.
How is HS code 9602 structured?
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.