Product classification
HS code for Whalebone: 0507.90
Animal products, tortoise-shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, waste and powder of these products.
Classification of whalebone under HS 0507.90
Whalebone, also known as baleen, is classified under HS code 0507.90. This code is part of Chapter 5, which covers products of animal origin not elsewhere specified or included. Whalebone is a keratinous material found in the mouths of baleen whales, used to filter food. The classification 0507.90 applies to whalebone that is unworked or has undergone only simple preparation, such as cleaning, scraping, or flattening, provided it has not been cut to a specific shape for a final product. The Harmonized System groups whalebone with other structural animal materials like horns, antlers, hooves, and beaks. The classification is determined by the material's raw or semi-processed state and its biological origin as a structural component of an animal.
- Covers
- Unworked whalebone (baleen)
- Cleaned or scraped whalebone
- Whalebone hair
- Waste of whalebone
- Powdered whalebone
- Also under 0507.90
- Traditional Chinese medicine ingredients
- custom knife handles (horn/antler)
- musical instrument components (e.g., bow frogs from whalebone historically)
- decorative items
Codes often confused with 0507.90
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for whalebone is under HS code 9601.90, which covers "worked" whalebone. If the material has been carved, polished, or manufactured into an identifiable object (like a corset stay or a decorative carving), it must be moved to Chapter 96. Additionally, whalebone is sometimes confused with ivory (0507.10) or tortoise-shell (0507.90, though specifically named). It is also vital to distinguish raw whalebone from plastic imitations, which are classified in Chapter 39. Like whale oil, whalebone is subject to strict CITES international trade protections.
Top exporters and importers of HS 050790 (the code used for whalebone), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 050790 (the code used for whalebone) in UN Comtrade data was New Zealand, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 46% 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 050790, not only whalebone.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 New Zealand $51M 35% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$23M 15% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 China $17M 11% of world exports
World total: $148M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $73M 46% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $28M 17% of world imports
- 3 Germany $12M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $159M 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 whalebone
Brazil classifies whalebone under NCM 0507.90.00: HS 0507.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about whalebone
What is the HS code for Whalebone?
The HS code for Whalebone is 050790 (Animal products; tortoise-shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, waste and powder of these products). The HS code for unworked or simply prepared whalebone is 0507.90.
How do I classify Whalebone for customs?
Whalebone is classified under HS code 050790 — Animal products; tortoise-shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, waste and powder of these products. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the whalebone is carved into a sculpture?
If the whalebone is carved or worked beyond simple cleaning, it is classified under HS code 9601.90 as worked animal carving material.
Which countries are the top exporters of whalebone (HS 050790)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 050790 (the code used for whalebone) in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($51M, 35% of world exports), Russia (about $23M) and China ($17M). World exports came to about $148M, 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 whalebone (HS 050790)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 050790 (the code used for whalebone) in UN Comtrade data were China ($73M, 46% of world imports), South Korea ($28M) and Germany ($12M). World imports came to about $159M, 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 Whalebone the same in all countries?
The base HS code 050790 for Whalebone 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 whalebone in Brazil?
In Brazil, whalebone (HS 050790) is classified under NCM 0507.90.00.