Find HS Code and trade information for cat scratch pole

Cat Scratch Pole

A cat scratch pole is a manufactured item typically designed to provide a dedicated and acceptable surface for cats to scratch, thereby diverting scratching behavior away from furniture and other household items.

Material

Scratch poles are constructed from a variety of materials, often in combination:

• Base: Commonly made of wood, heavy plastic, or carpeted plywood to provide stability. Weight is a crucial factor to prevent tipping.
• Post: The central scratching surface can be composed of:
  • Sisal rope: A natural fiber derived from the sisal plant, highly durable and popular due to its texture cats enjoy.
  • Carpet: Offers a softer scratching surface, but generally less durable than sisal.
  • Wood: Some poles utilize exposed wood sections for scratching.
  • Cardboard: Often found in corrugated cardboard scratchers, either as a replaceable insert or the entire structure.
• Covering: Fabric (plush, fleece) is often used to cover the base and sometimes parts of the post for aesthetic appeal and comfort.

Purpose

The primary purpose of a scratch pole is to satisfy a cat's natural scratching instincts. This behavior serves several functions:

• Claw Maintenance: Scratching removes the dead outer layer of the claw, keeping them sharp and healthy.
• Marking Territory: Cats have scent glands in their paws; scratching deposits scent markers, visually and chemically communicating their presence.
• Exercise & Stretching: Scratching provides a full-body stretch and exercise for the cat’s muscles and tendons.
• Stress Relief: Scratching can be a displacement behavior, helping cats relieve stress and anxiety.

Function

A scratch pole functions by providing a suitable alternative to undesirable scratching surfaces. Effective poles are:

• Stable: A wobbly pole will not be used.
• Tall Enough: Cats need to fully stretch when scratching; a height of at least 3 feet is recommended for most adult cats.
• Texturally Appealing: The scratching material should be attractive to the cat.
• Durable: Able to withstand repeated scratching without falling apart.

Usage Scenarios

• Indoor Cats: Essential for cats living primarily indoors, as they lack natural outdoor scratching options like trees.
• Furniture Protection: Placed near furniture the cat is prone to scratching, redirecting the behavior.
• Multi-Cat Households: Multiple scratch poles are recommended to prevent competition and ensure each cat has access.
• New Environments: Introducing a scratch pole to a new home can help a cat acclimate and establish a sense of security.

Common Types

• Freestanding Scratch Poles: The most common type, featuring a base and a tall post.
• Scratch Boards: Flat, corrugated cardboard or carpeted surfaces, often placed on the floor or mounted on walls.
• Scratch Loungers: Combine a scratching surface with a comfortable resting area.
• Wall-Mounted Scratchers: Save floor space and provide a secure scratching option.
• Scratch Trees/Condos: Multi-level structures incorporating scratching posts, platforms, and enclosed areas for resting and play.
• Cardboard Scratchers: Typically disposable, made entirely of corrugated cardboard, and come in various shapes and sizes.

Based on the provided information, determining the precise HS code for a “cat scratch pole” requires analyzing its material and construction. Here are potential HS codes based on the available data:

• 9403.60.80.93: Other wooden furniture. This code applies to other wooden furniture, and a cat scratch pole constructed primarily of wood would fall under this classification. The two-digit sections represent:

  • 94: Furniture; bedding, mattresses, support, stuffing and similar furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; mirror, not elsewhere specified or included.
  • 03: Other furniture.
  • 60: Other wooden furniture.
  • 80: Other.
  • 93: Other.

• 3926.90.99.10: Other Laboratory ware. While seemingly unrelated, if the cat scratch pole incorporates significant plastic components and is marketed or used for purposes resembling laboratory equipment (e.g., a specialized animal behavior study tool), this code could apply. The two-digit sections represent:

  • 39: Plastics and articles thereof.
  • 26: Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914.
  • 90: Other.
  • 99: Other.
  • 10: Laboratory ware.

• 6304.99.60.40: Not knitted or crocheted, of other textile materials: Other: Other Other: Other (899). If the cat scratch pole is covered in textile materials like carpet or fabric, this code might be relevant. The two-digit sections represent:

  • 63: Other furnishing articles, excluding those of heading 9404.
  • 04: Other: Not knitted or crocheted, of other textile materials.
  • 99: Other.
  • 60: Other.
  • 40: Other.

• 4421.91.88.00: Of bamboo: Canoe paddles. If the cat scratch pole is made of bamboo, this code could apply. The two-digit sections represent:

  • 44: Wood and articles of wood.
  • 21: Other articles of wood.
  • 91: Other.
  • 88: Of bamboo.

Regarding HS code 9403.60.80.93, please note that the material needs to be verified as wood.

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'cat scratch pole' are limited, with only the following 4 found.