Find HS Code and trade information for belt buckle

Belt Buckle

A belt buckle is a fastener used for securing a belt, typically around the waist. It often serves a decorative purpose in addition to its functional role.

Material

Belt buckles are manufactured from a wide range of materials, influencing their durability, appearance, and cost. Common materials include:

• Metals: This is the most prevalent category, encompassing:
  • Brass: Offers a golden appearance, often used in decorative buckles. Susceptible to tarnishing.
  • Steel: Provides high strength and durability. Frequently plated with other metals for corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal.
  • Stainless Steel: Corrosion-resistant, strong, and relatively affordable.
  • Zinc Alloy: A cost-effective option, often used for fashion buckles.
  • Aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, suitable for casual belts.
  • Silver: Used for higher-end buckles, offering a classic look. Prone to scratching and tarnishing.
  • Gold: Used in luxury buckles, offering significant aesthetic value.
  • Titanium: Lightweight, exceptionally strong, and corrosion-resistant, but more expensive.
• Plastics: Common in casual or athletic belts, offering lightweight and affordability.
• Leather: Less common as a primary buckle component, but can be used for covering or decorative elements.
• Wood: Occasionally used for decorative or novelty buckles.

Purpose & Function

The primary purpose of a belt buckle is to secure a belt around the waist, holding clothing in place. Functionally, it consists of two main parts:

• Tongue (or prong): This inserts into the holes of the belt to fasten it.
• Frame (or buckle body): This holds the tongue and secures the belt.

Usage Scenarios

Belt buckles are used in a wide variety of contexts:

• Everyday Wear: Standard buckles used with casual or dress pants.
• Fashion Accessory: Buckles are often chosen to complement an outfit's style.
• Workwear: Heavy-duty buckles used with work belts for tool carrying and durability.
• Formal Occasions: Dress buckles, often made of silver or gold, are used with formal attire.
• Specialized Applications: Buckles designed for specific purposes, such as military belts or lifting belts.

Common Types

Belt buckles are categorized by their design and fastening mechanism:

• Single Prong Buckles: The most common type, featuring a single tongue that inserts into belt holes.
• Double Prong Buckles: Feature two tongues for increased security. Often used in work or military belts.
• Plate Buckles: Feature a plate that clamps down on the belt, often used with dress belts.
• Automatic Buckles: Feature a spring-loaded mechanism that automatically locks and unlocks the belt.
• Flip Buckles: Feature a lever that flips to release the belt.
• Box Buckles: Feature a box-shaped frame that encloses the belt.
• Decorative Buckles: Feature intricate designs, often made of silver, gold, or other materials. These may utilize various fastening mechanisms.
• Hidden Buckles: Designed to be concealed under clothing.
• Magnetic Buckles: Utilize magnets to secure the belt.

Belt buckles can be classified under several HS codes depending on their material and function, as detailed below:

• 8308906000: Clasps, frames with clasps, buckles, buckle-clasps, hooks, eyes, eyelets and the like, of base metal, of a kind used for clothing or clothing accessories, footwear, jewelry, wrist watches, books, awnings, leather goods, travel goods or saddlery or for other made up articles; tubular or bifurcated rivets, of base metal; beads and spangles, of base metal: Other, including parts: Buckles and buckle clasps, and parts thereof.

  • 83: Chapter – Miscellaneous manufactured articles.
  • 08: Heading – Articles of base metal not elsewhere specified or included.
  • 906000: Subheading – Other, including parts: Buckles and buckle clasps, and parts thereof. This code specifically covers buckles used for clothing or accessories. The base metal composition is a key factor for this classification.
  • Tax Rate Details: Basic tariff: 3.9%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 58.9%.

• 7113195090: Articles of jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal: Of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal: Of other precious metal, whether or not plated or clad with precious metal: Other: Other.

  • 71: Chapter – Jewelry, silverware and parts thereof.
  • 13: Heading – Articles of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal.
  • 195090: Subheading – Other: Other. This code applies if the buckle is made of precious metal.
  • Tax Rate Details: Basic tariff: 5.5%, Additional tariff: 7.5%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 43.0%.

• 7113195030: Articles of jewelry and parts thereof, of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal: Of precious metal whether or not plated or clad with precious metal: Of other precious metal, whether or not plated or clad with precious metal: Other: Other Of ISO standard platinum: Earrings (A belt buckle could be considered a type of earring if it's decorative and worn on the body.)

  • 71: Chapter – Jewelry, silverware and parts thereof.
  • 13: Heading – Articles of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal.
  • 195030: Subheading – Other: Other Of ISO standard platinum: Earrings. This code applies if the buckle is made of ISO standard platinum and is considered decorative jewelry.
  • Tax Rate Details: Basic tariff: 5.5%, Additional tariff: 7.5%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 43.0%.

• 7419801500: Other articles of copper: Other: Containers of a kind normally carried on the person, in the pocket or in the handbag.

  • 74: Chapter – Copper and articles thereof.
  • 19: Heading – Other articles of copper.
  • 801500: Subheading – Other: Containers of a kind normally carried on the person, in the pocket or in the handbag. This code applies if the buckle is made of copper and is designed to be carried on the person.
  • Tax Rate Details: Basic tariff: 3.0%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 58.0%.

• 7419803000: Other articles of copper: Other: Other: Coated or plated with precious metal (If the buckle is coated or plated with precious metal).

  • 74: Chapter – Copper and articles thereof.
  • 19: Heading – Other articles of copper.
  • 803000: Subheading – Other: Other: Coated or plated with precious metal. This code applies if the buckle is made of copper and coated or plated with precious metal.
  • Tax Rate Details: Basic tariff: 3.0%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 58.0%.

• 7115903000: Other articles of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal: Other: Other: Of gold, including metal clad with gold.

  • 71: Chapter – Jewelry, silverware and parts thereof.
  • 15: Heading – Other articles of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal.
  • 903000: Subheading – Other: Other: Of gold, including metal clad with gold. This code applies if the buckle is made of gold.
  • Tax Rate Details: Basic tariff: 3.9%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 58.9%.