HS Code for Leather waste

Leather waste is classified under HS code 4115.20. This code is located in Chapter 41, which covers raw hides, skins, and leather. Heading 4115 includes composition leather with a basis of leather or leather fiber, in slabs, sheets, or strip, whether or not in rolls, as well as parings and other waste of leather or composition leather. Subheading 4115.20 specifically covers parings and other waste of leather or composition leather, not suitable for the manufacture of leather articles, as well as leather dust, powder, and flour. This classification is intended for the byproducts of the leather manufacturing process that cannot be used to create standard leather goods like shoes or bags. This includes small scraps from cutting patterns, shavings from the thinning process (skiving), and the fine dust produced during buffing. While this material is "waste" in the context of traditional manufacturing, it often has value in other industries, such as the production of bonded leather or as a nitrogen source in fertilizers. However, for HS purposes, its origin as leather scrap determines its 4115.20 classification. It is distinct from "composition leather" (4115.10), which is a reconstituted material made from leather fibers and binders. Proper classification ensures that industrial waste is tracked for environmental and trade purposes.

Products Included

• Leather parings and trimmings from manufacturing
• Leather shavings (blue shavings or crust shavings)
• Leather dust and powder from buffing operations
• Leather flour used as filler material
• Scrap leather not suitable for making leather goods

Common Misclassification

Leather waste is sometimes misclassified under HS code 4115.10, which is for composition leather. However, 4115.10 is for the finished reconstituted sheets, while 4115.20 is for the raw scrap. Another error is using 0511.99 for animal products; however, once the hide has been tanned or worked into leather, its waste must stay within Chapter 41. If the waste is intended for use as fertilizer, some may try to use Chapter 31, but 4115.20 remains the specific code for the material itself.

FAQ

What is the HS code for leather waste?

The HS code for leather waste, including parings, dust, and powder, is 4115.20.

Can leather scrap be classified as raw hides?

No, raw hides fall under headings 4101 to 4103. Once the material has been processed into leather and then discarded as scrap, it must be classified as waste under 4115.20.