Product classification
HS code for Bone buttons: 9606.29
Buttons, of other than base metal or plastics, not covered with textile material.
Classification of bone buttons under HS 9606.29
Bone buttons are classified under HS code 9606.29. This classification is applied to buttons that are not made of base metal, plastics, or covered with textile material. Under the Harmonized System, buttons are categorized primarily by their material composition. Bone, being an animal-derived material, falls into the "other" category (9606.29) when it is worked into fasteners for apparel. The manufacturing process involves cleaning, bleaching, and machining animal bone into specific shapes, often with drilled holes for sewing. Because bone is a natural organic material but not a plastic or metal, it is excluded from the more specific subheadings 9606.21 and 9606.22. This code ensures that natural material fasteners are distinguished from synthetic or metallic alternatives in international trade statistics.
- Covers
- Polished cattle bone buttons
- Carved decorative bone fasteners
- Natural bone toggles for coats
- Bleached bone shirt buttons
- Dyed bone buttons for fashion accessories
- Also under 9606.29
- Atelier Brunette buttons
- Bottoni & Bottoni (Italian shell buttons)
- various artisanal wooden buttons
- vintage glass buttons
Codes often confused with 9606.29
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for bone buttons is HS code 9606.21, which is strictly for buttons made of plastics. Another error is using 9601.90, which covers worked bone and articles of bone in general; however, because the item is a finished button, the specific heading for buttons (96.06) takes precedence over the general heading for bone articles. If the bone button is covered with fabric, it must be classified under 9606.30.
Top exporters and importers of HS 960629 (the code used for bone buttons), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 960629 (the code used for bone buttons) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Morocco, with 44% 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 960629, not only bone buttons.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $44M 23% of world exports
- 2 China $40M 21% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$12M 6.5% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $190M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Morocco $154M 44% of world imports
- 2 Myanmar $20M 5.8% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$13M 3.7% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $348M 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 bone buttons
Brazil classifies bone buttons under NCM 9606.29.00: HS 9606.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bone buttons
What is the HS code for Bone buttons?
The HS code for Bone buttons is 960629 (Buttons; of other than base metal or plastics, not covered with textile material). Bone buttons are classified under HS code 9606.29, which covers buttons of materials other than metal or plastic.
How do I classify Bone buttons for customs?
Bone buttons is classified under HS code 960629 — Buttons; of other than base metal or plastics, not covered with textile material. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include buttons made from horn or shell?
Yes, buttons made from other animal materials like horn, coral, or mother-of-pearl are also typically classified under 9606.29 unless they are specifically mentioned elsewhere.
Which countries are the top exporters of bone buttons (HS 960629)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 960629 (the code used for bone buttons) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($44M, 23% of world exports), China ($40M) and Vietnam (about $12M). World exports came to about $190M, 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 bone buttons (HS 960629)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 960629 (the code used for bone buttons) in UN Comtrade data were Morocco ($154M, 44% of world imports), Myanmar ($20M) and Vietnam (about $13M). World imports came to about $348M, 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 Bone buttons the same in all countries?
The base HS code 960629 for Bone buttons 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 bone buttons in Brazil?
In Brazil, bone buttons (HS 960629) is classified under NCM 9606.29.00.