HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9606.21 – Buttons; of plastics, not covered with textile material
HS code 9606.21 is the 6-digit subheading for buttons, of plastics, not covered with textile material. It is used for polyester buttons, ABS plastic buttons, nylon buttons, acrylic buttons and urea buttons.
What HS 9606.21 covers
This category specifically covers buttons made from plastic materials that are not covered with textile fabric. Plastic buttons are a staple in the global garment industry due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and the vast array of colors, shapes, and designs they can achieve. They are extensively used on shirts, blouses, coats, trousers, and various other apparel items across all price points. The trade is predominantly B2B, with garment manufacturers, textile factories, and fashion brands being the primary importers. Exporters are specialized button manufacturers, often situated in regions with strong textile supply chains. Key factors influencing trade include material quality, design (e.g., two-hole, four-hole, shank), durability, and compliance with environmental and safety standards, making it a highly competitive market driven by apparel production volumes.
- Covers
- Polyester buttons
- ABS plastic buttons
- Nylon buttons
- Acrylic buttons
- Urea buttons
- Plastic shank buttons
- Plastic flat buttons
- Examples
- YKK plastic buttons
- Prym plastic buttons
- Coats plastic buttons
- various unbranded plastic garment buttons
Codes often confused with 9606.21
Common mistake. Crucially distinguished from metal buttons (960622) and buttons of other materials (960629), as well as from press-fasteners (960610) which have a different closure mechanism.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 960621, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 960621 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 33% 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 $244M 49% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $108M 22% of world exports
- 3 Spain $31M 6.3% of world exports
World total: $499M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Morocco $196M 33% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$74M 12% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Bangladesh* ~$42M 7.0% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $604M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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.
Brazil NCM code for 9606.21
Brazil does not split HS 9606.21: its NCM code is 9606.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 96.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9606.21
What is HS code 960621?
HS code 960621 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Buttons; of plastics, not covered with textile material. This category specifically covers buttons made from plastic materials that are not covered with textile fabric. Plastic buttons are a staple in the global garment industry due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and the vast array of colors, shapes, and designs they can achieve. They are extensively used on shirts, blouses, coats, trousers, and various other apparel items across all price points. The trade is predominantly B2B, with garment manufacturers, textile factories, and fashion brands being the primary importers. Exporters are specialized button manufacturers, often situated in regions with strong textile supply chains. Key factors influencing trade include material quality, design (e.g., two-hole, four-hole, shank), durability, and compliance with environmental and safety standards, making it a highly competitive market driven by apparel production volumes.
What products fall under HS code 960621?
Polyester buttons, ABS plastic buttons, nylon buttons, acrylic buttons, urea buttons, plastic shank buttons, plastic flat buttons
What are common misclassifications for HS code 960621?
Crucially distinguished from metal buttons (960622) and buttons of other materials (960629), as well as from press-fasteners (960610) which have a different closure mechanism.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 960621?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 960621 in UN Comtrade data were China ($244M, 49% of world exports), Hong Kong ($108M) and Spain ($31M). World exports came to about $499M, 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 960621?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 960621 in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($196M, 33% of world imports), Vietnam (about $74M) and Bangladesh (about $42M). World imports came to about $604M, 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 960621 structured?
HS code 960621 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (96) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 960621?
In Brazil, HS code 960621 is NCM 9606.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.