About HS Code 9606
Heading 9606 covers an essential category of fastening devices: 'Buttons, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners and press-studs, button moulds and other parts of these articles; button blanks.' This classification is crucial for the global garment, textile, and accessories industries. It encompasses a wide array of fastening components used primarily for clothing, footwear, bags, and other manufactured articles. The scope includes buttons of all materials (plastic, metal, shell, wood, horn, glass, etc.), whether for decorative or functional purposes, along with various types of press-fasteners, snap-fasteners, and press-studs. Crucially, it also includes button moulds, which are the forms used to create covered buttons, and other parts of these articles, such as button shanks or eyelets, as well as unfinished 'button blanks' (semi-finished products ready for final processing). This heading excludes buckles and buckle-clasps (8308) and slide fasteners (9607). Proper classification under 9606 is paramount for trade compliance, affecting import duties, quotas (where applicable), and compliance with specific material regulations (e.g., lead content in metal fasteners). Its significance lies in its direct impact on supply chains for apparel manufacturers worldwide. Within Chapter 96, 'Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles,' this heading groups these small, yet indispensable, components that serve a functional and often aesthetic role, underscoring their importance as distinct manufactured items not covered by broader material-based chapters.
Products Under This Code
Plastic buttons, metal buttons, shell buttons, wooden buttons, horn buttons, glass buttons, fabric-covered buttons, rhinestone buttons, shank buttons, two-hole buttons, four-hole buttons, toggle buttons, snap fasteners, press-studs, dome fasteners, magnetic snap fasteners, button moulds, button shanks, button blanks (plastic), button blanks (metal), button blanks (wood), jeans buttons, rivet buttons, sew-on snap fasteners, invisible press-studs, decorative buttons
Real World Examples
A large apparel manufacturer in Bangladesh imports millions of plastic buttons and metal snap-fasteners from China for use in their garment production, which are then exported globally. These fasteners are classified under 9606. Similarly, a high-end fashion brand in Italy sources unique mother-of-pearl buttons and custom-designed metal press-studs from a specialized artisan supplier in Japan, ensuring their luxury garments meet specific aesthetic and quality standards. In another scenario, a uniform supplier in the United States imports bulk quantities of durable plastic button blanks from Taiwan, which they then process and finish in-house to create custom branded buttons for their clients, all falling under this heading.
Common Misclassification
Common misclassification errors for goods under 9606 often involve confusing them with other fastening articles or raw materials. One frequent mistake is classifying buckles or buckle-clasps (which fall under 8308) as buttons or press-fasteners, despite their distinct function and design. Another error is classifying slide fasteners (zippers) under 9606, when they have their own specific heading, 9607. Furthermore, button blanks might be incorrectly classified as raw materials of their respective compositions (e.g., plastic articles under Chapter 39) rather than as semi-finished button components. It's crucial to distinguish between these categories based on their specific characteristics and intended use as defined by the HS Explanatory Notes.
Subheadings 5
Industry
This code belongs to the Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles industry.
Trade Overview
The trade in buttons, press-fasteners, and snap-fasteners is heavily concentrated among countries with significant textile and garment manufacturing industries. China is by far the largest exporter, followed by other Asian manufacturing hubs like Taiwan, India, and Vietnam. Major importers include garment-producing nations such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mexico, as well as fashion centers in the EU and the United States. Trade agreements like the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) or bilateral agreements often provide preferential tariffs, which are vital for these high-volume, low-value components, making accurate classification and origin determination critical for cost-effective supply chains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 9606?
HS code 9606 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Buttons, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners and press-studs, button moulds and other parts of these articles; button blanks. Heading 9606 covers an essential category of fastening devices: 'Buttons, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners and press-studs, button moulds and other parts of these articles; button blanks.' This classification is crucial for the global garment, textile, and accessories industries. It encompasses a wide array of fastening components used primarily for clothing, footwear, bags, and other manufactured articles. The scope includes buttons of all materials (plastic, metal, shell, wood, horn, glass, etc.), whether for decorative or functional purposes, along with various types of press-fasteners, snap-fasteners, and press-studs. Crucially, it also includes button moulds, which are the forms used to create covered buttons, and other parts of these articles, such as button shanks or eyelets, as well as unfinished 'button blanks' (semi-finished products ready for final processing). This heading excludes buckles and buckle-clasps (8308) and slide fasteners (9607). Proper classification under 9606 is paramount for trade compliance, affecting import duties, quotas (where applicable), and compliance with specific material regulations (e.g., lead content in metal fasteners). Its significance lies in its direct impact on supply chains for apparel manufacturers worldwide. Within Chapter 96, 'Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles,' this heading groups these small, yet indispensable, components that serve a functional and often aesthetic role, underscoring their importance as distinct manufactured items not covered by broader material-based chapters.
What products fall under HS code 9606?
Plastic buttons, metal buttons, shell buttons, wooden buttons, horn buttons, glass buttons, fabric-covered buttons, rhinestone buttons, shank buttons, two-hole buttons, four-hole buttons, toggle buttons, snap fasteners, press-studs, dome fasteners, magnetic snap fasteners, button moulds, button shanks, button blanks (plastic), button blanks (metal), button blanks (wood), jeans buttons, rivet buttons, sew-on snap fasteners, invisible press-studs, decorative buttons
What are common misclassifications for HS code 9606?
Common misclassification errors for goods under 9606 often involve confusing them with other fastening articles or raw materials. One frequent mistake is classifying buckles or buckle-clasps (which fall under 8308) as buttons or press-fasteners, despite their distinct function and design. Another error is classifying slide fasteners (zippers) under 9606, when they have their own specific heading, 9607. Furthermore, button blanks might be incorrectly classified as raw materials of their respective compositions (e.g., plastic articles under Chapter 39) rather than as semi-finished button components. It's crucial to distinguish between these categories based on their specific characteristics and intended use as defined by the HS Explanatory Notes.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 9606?
The trade in buttons, press-fasteners, and snap-fasteners is heavily concentrated among countries with significant textile and garment manufacturing industries. China is by far the largest exporter, followed by other Asian manufacturing hubs like Taiwan, India, and Vietnam. Major importers include garment-producing nations such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mexico, as well as fashion centers in the EU and the United States. Trade agreements like the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) or bilateral agreements often provide preferential tariffs, which are vital for these high-volume, low-value components, making accurate classification and origin determination critical for cost-effective supply chains.
How is HS code 9606 structured?
HS code 9606 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 96 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (96) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.