HS Code for Household adhesive

Household adhesives are classified under HS code 3506.10 based on their packaging and intended use rather than their specific chemical composition. This heading covers products suitable for use as glues or adhesives that are put up for retail sale in packages with a net weight not exceeding 1 kilogram. This "retail sale" provision is a critical classification rule in the Harmonized System, as it prioritizes the commercial presentation over the technical nature of the substance. Whether the adhesive is based on cyanoacrylate, epoxy, or starch, if it is packaged for the end-consumer in small quantities, it falls here. This ensures that small-scale consumer goods are distinguished from industrial-scale chemical shipments used in manufacturing processes. The classification applies to both single-component glues and multi-component systems (like two-part epoxies) provided they are sold together in a single retail package. The 1 kg limit is a strict threshold; any package exceeding this weight, even if intended for household use, must be classified under the more specific chemical subheadings of 3506.91 or 3506.99.

Products Included

• Super glue in small tubes
• School glue and white craft glue
• Retail-packed epoxy resin kits under 1kg
• Contact cement for household repair

Common Misclassification

HS code 3506.10 is often confused with HS code 3506.91, which covers adhesives based on polymers of headings 39.01 to 39.13 or on rubber, but in bulk packaging exceeding 1 kg. Additionally, products like glaziers' putty or resin cements are classified under HS code 3214.10, even if they have adhesive properties, because their primary function is filling or surfacing rather than bonding.

FAQ

What is the HS code for household adhesive?

The HS code for household adhesives put up for retail sale with a net weight not exceeding 1 kg is 3506.10.

Does the chemical base of the glue change this code?

No, for retail-packed adhesives under 1 kg, the chemical base (such as rubber, plastic, or starch) does not change the classification. The packaging and weight take precedence over the chemical composition under the specific terms of subheading 3506.10.