Product classification
HS code for Boar bristles: 0502.10
Animal products, hair and bristles, of pigs, hogs or boars, and waste thereof.
Classification of boar bristles under HS 0502.10
Boar bristles are classified under HS code 0502.10. This code is situated in Chapter 5, which covers products of animal origin not elsewhere specified or included. Heading 0502 specifically addresses the bristles and hair of pigs, hogs, or boars, as well as badger hair and other hair used for brush-making. The subheading 0502.10 is dedicated to the bristles and hair of pigs, hogs, or boars and the waste thereof. These natural fibers are highly valued for their stiffness and durability, making them ideal for industrial and consumer brushes. The classification covers these materials in their raw state or after they have undergone basic processing such as cleaning, bleaching, or dyeing. As long as the bristles have not been assembled into finished goods or bundled into specific shapes for immediate use in a brush-making machine, they remain within this heading.
- Covers
- Raw boar bristles
- Cleaned or bleached hog hair
- Dyed pig bristles for brush manufacturing
- Waste of boar or pig bristles
- Unbundled natural bristles in bulk
- Also under 0502.10
- Da Vinci Hog Bristle Brushes
- Kent Brushes Boar Bristle Hairbrushes
- Omega Boar Bristle Shaving Brushes
- Winsor & Newton Hog Bristle Brushes
- Industrial Pig Hair for Filtration
Codes often confused with 0502.10
Common mistake. Boar bristles are frequently misclassified under 9603, which covers finished brushes and prepared knots or tufts for brush-making. If the bristles are already gathered into a finished bundle ready for insertion into a brush handle, they may move to 9603. Another common error is confusing these with fine animal hair under heading 5102; however, Chapter 51 is for textile fibers, and boar bristles are specifically excluded from that chapter because they are considered brush-making hair rather than textile fibers. Synthetic bristles made of nylon or plastic are also excluded and fall under Chapter 54.
Top exporters and importers of HS 050210 (the code used for boar bristles), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 050210 (the code used for boar bristles) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 84% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 26% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 050210, not only boar bristles.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $27M 84% of world exports
- 2 Germany $2.6M 8.3% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.5M 4.7% of world exports
World total: $32M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Portugal $8.7M 26% of world imports
- 2 Germany $5.0M 15% of world imports
- 3 Italy $2.6M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $34M 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 codes for boar bristles
Brazil splits HS 0502.10 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 0502.10.11Washed, bleached or degreased pig bristles
- 0502.10.19Pig bristles, not washed, bleached or degreased
- 0502.10.90Other pig, hog or boar bristles, hair and waste
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about boar bristles
What is the HS code for Boar bristles?
The HS code for Boar bristles is 050210 (Animal products; hair and bristles, of pigs, hogs or boars, and waste thereof). The HS code for boar, pig, or hog bristles and their waste is 0502.10.
How do I classify Boar bristles for customs?
Boar bristles is classified under HS code 050210 — Animal products; hair and bristles, of pigs, hogs or boars, and waste thereof. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are synthetic bristles classified here?
No, HS code 0502.10 only applies to natural animal bristles. Synthetic bristles are typically classified under 5404 or 5405 as monofilaments or under 9603 if they are part of a brush.
Which countries are the top exporters of boar bristles (HS 050210)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 050210 (the code used for boar bristles) in UN Comtrade data were China ($27M, 84% of world exports), Germany ($2.6M) and the United States ($1.5M). World exports came to about $32M, 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 boar bristles (HS 050210)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 050210 (the code used for boar bristles) in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($8.7M, 26% of world imports), Germany ($5.0M) and Italy ($2.6M). World imports came to about $34M, 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.
Is the HS code for Boar bristles the same in all countries?
The base HS code 050210 for Boar bristles is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for boar bristles in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 050210 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for boar bristles depends on the product's details: 0502.10.11 (Washed, bleached or degreased pig bristles), 0502.10.19 (Pig bristles, not washed, bleached or degreased), 0502.10.90 (Other pig, hog or boar bristles, hair and waste).