About HS Code 9615
HS Heading 9615 covers a broad array of non-electrical articles used for hair grooming and styling. This classification is vital for businesses dealing with personal care products, fashion accessories, and salon supplies. The heading specifically includes combs, hair-slides and similar articles, hairpins, curling pins, curling grips, and hair curlers and the like. The scope is comprehensive, encompassing items made from various materials like plastic, metal, wood, bone, and rubber. A critical boundary condition is the explicit exclusion of electrical hair appliances, which fall under heading 8516 (e.g., electric hair curlers, curling irons). This ensures a clear distinction between mechanical and electrical devices. Key sub-categories include different types of combs (dressing combs, pocket combs, detangling combs), various styles of hairpins (bobby pins, U-pins, decorative pins), and a multitude of hair curler designs (rollers, foam curlers, velcro curlers). This classification is crucial for trade compliance as it impacts applicable duties, consumer safety regulations (especially for products that contact skin or hair), and potential restrictions on certain materials (e.g., ivory, certain plastics). Historically, these items have been essential personal care tools, with designs and materials evolving with fashion trends and technological advancements. As part of Chapter 96, it groups these miscellaneous manufactured articles, ensuring they are not overlooked or misclassified into broader categories like plastics or metal articles, thereby providing clarity for global trade.
Products Under This Code
Plastic combs, wooden combs, metal combs, bone combs, rubber combs, hair-slides, barrettes, hair clips, decorative hairpins, bobby pins, U-shaped hairpins, curling pins, hair grips, hair curlers (non-electrical), foam hair rollers, velcro hair rollers, perm rods, hair bun makers, hair nets (if designed for styling), parts of combs, parts of hair-slides, parts of hair curlers, hair sticks, hair forks.
Real World Examples
A large beauty supply chain in the United States imports thousands of plastic detangling combs and hair clips from manufacturers in China, utilizing container shipping routes across the Pacific. A boutique in France specializing in artisanal accessories sources handcrafted wooden combs and decorative hairpins from small workshops in India, typically importing these items via air cargo for faster delivery and to maintain product integrity. A salon equipment distributor in Australia imports professional-grade plastic hair rollers and perm rods from South Korea, a hub for innovative beauty tools, often through consolidated sea freight.
Common Misclassification
A common error is classifying electrical hair appliances, such as electric curling irons or heated rollers, under 9615; these correctly belong to heading 8516. Another mistake involves decorative hair accessories made of precious metals or incorporating significant amounts of precious stones, which might be better classified as jewelry (Chapter 71), especially if their primary value is as an adornment rather than a hair tool. Simple hair bands or ties made primarily of textile materials might be confused, but generally fall under Chapter 62 or 63. Traders must always consider the 'other than those of heading no. 8516' clause carefully to avoid misclassification.
Subheadings 3
Industry
This code belongs to the Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles industry.
Trade Overview
China is a dominant global exporter for mass-produced combs, hairpins, and various hair curlers due to its extensive manufacturing capabilities. Other significant producers include India (for wooden and decorative items) and South Korea (for innovative styling tools). Major importers are virtually all countries globally, driven by consumer demand for personal grooming products, with large markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. Tariff rates are generally low, but compliance with consumer product safety standards, particularly regarding materials and choking hazards, is crucial in many importing countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 9615?
HS code 9615 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Combs, hair-slides and similar; hairpins, curling pins, curling grips and hair curlers and the like, other than those of heading no. 8516 and parts thereof. HS Heading 9615 covers a broad array of non-electrical articles used for hair grooming and styling. This classification is vital for businesses dealing with personal care products, fashion accessories, and salon supplies. The heading specifically includes combs, hair-slides and similar articles, hairpins, curling pins, curling grips, and hair curlers and the like. The scope is comprehensive, encompassing items made from various materials like plastic, metal, wood, bone, and rubber. A critical boundary condition is the explicit exclusion of electrical hair appliances, which fall under heading 8516 (e.g., electric hair curlers, curling irons). This ensures a clear distinction between mechanical and electrical devices. Key sub-categories include different types of combs (dressing combs, pocket combs, detangling combs), various styles of hairpins (bobby pins, U-pins, decorative pins), and a multitude of hair curler designs (rollers, foam curlers, velcro curlers). This classification is crucial for trade compliance as it impacts applicable duties, consumer safety regulations (especially for products that contact skin or hair), and potential restrictions on certain materials (e.g., ivory, certain plastics). Historically, these items have been essential personal care tools, with designs and materials evolving with fashion trends and technological advancements. As part of Chapter 96, it groups these miscellaneous manufactured articles, ensuring they are not overlooked or misclassified into broader categories like plastics or metal articles, thereby providing clarity for global trade.
What products fall under HS code 9615?
Plastic combs, wooden combs, metal combs, bone combs, rubber combs, hair-slides, barrettes, hair clips, decorative hairpins, bobby pins, U-shaped hairpins, curling pins, hair grips, hair curlers (non-electrical), foam hair rollers, velcro hair rollers, perm rods, hair bun makers, hair nets (if designed for styling), parts of combs, parts of hair-slides, parts of hair curlers, hair sticks, hair forks.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 9615?
A common error is classifying electrical hair appliances, such as electric curling irons or heated rollers, under 9615; these correctly belong to heading 8516. Another mistake involves decorative hair accessories made of precious metals or incorporating significant amounts of precious stones, which might be better classified as jewelry (Chapter 71), especially if their primary value is as an adornment rather than a hair tool. Simple hair bands or ties made primarily of textile materials might be confused, but generally fall under Chapter 62 or 63. Traders must always consider the 'other than those of heading no. 8516' clause carefully to avoid misclassification.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 9615?
China is a dominant global exporter for mass-produced combs, hairpins, and various hair curlers due to its extensive manufacturing capabilities. Other significant producers include India (for wooden and decorative items) and South Korea (for innovative styling tools). Major importers are virtually all countries globally, driven by consumer demand for personal grooming products, with large markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. Tariff rates are generally low, but compliance with consumer product safety standards, particularly regarding materials and choking hazards, is crucial in many importing countries.
How is HS code 9615 structured?
HS code 9615 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 96 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (96) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (15) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.