Find HS Code and trade information for hair removal

Hair Removal

Hair removal is the removal of unwanted hair from the body. It can be performed for aesthetic, hygienic, or religious reasons. Methods range from temporary solutions like shaving and waxing to more permanent options like laser treatments.

Methods

Hair removal techniques are broadly categorized as temporary or permanent.

Temporary Methods: These methods remove hair at the surface of the skin or from the hair follicle, but do not destroy the follicle itself, meaning hair will regrow.

• Shaving: Using a razor to cut hair at the skin's surface. It is inexpensive, quick, and painless, but hair regrows quickly (within days) and can appear thicker due to the blunt cut end.
• Depilatory Creams: Chemical creams that dissolve hair at the skin surface. They are relatively painless but can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Hair regrowth is similar to shaving.
• Waxing: Applying hot or cold wax to the skin, which adheres to the hair and is then quickly removed, pulling hair from the follicle. It provides longer-lasting results (weeks) than shaving, but can be painful. Ingrown hairs are a common side effect.
• Sugaring: Similar to waxing, but uses a paste made of sugar, lemon juice, and water. Often considered less painful than waxing and may cause fewer ingrown hairs.
• Threading: A technique using a thin cotton thread to trap and remove hair from the follicle, commonly used for facial hair.
• Epilators: Devices that pluck hair from the follicle using rotating tweezers. Provide longer-lasting results than shaving, but can be painful and cause ingrown hairs.

Permanent/Long-Lasting Methods: These methods aim to destroy the hair follicle to prevent or significantly reduce future hair growth. Multiple sessions are typically required for optimal results.

• Laser Hair Removal: Uses concentrated beams of light to target the melanin in hair follicles, damaging them and inhibiting future growth. Most effective on dark, coarse hair and lighter skin.
• Electrolysis: Involves inserting a tiny needle into each hair follicle and delivering an electrical current to destroy it. Effective on all hair and skin types, but can be time-consuming and expensive.
• Radiofrequency Hair Removal: Uses radiofrequency energy to heat and destroy hair follicles. Can be effective for various hair and skin types.

Purpose and Usage Scenarios

• Aesthetic Reasons: The most common reason, driven by personal preference or cultural norms. Areas commonly targeted include legs, underarms, bikini line, face, and chest.
• Hygiene: Removing hair in certain areas can improve hygiene and reduce odor.
• Athletics: Athletes may remove hair to reduce drag, improve performance, or prevent chafing.
• Medical Reasons: Hair removal may be necessary before certain medical procedures (e.g., laser surgery) or to treat skin conditions (e.g., ingrown hairs).

Common Types (by Body Area)

• Facial Hair Removal: Threading, waxing, sugaring, laser hair removal, electrolysis, depilatory creams.
• Leg Hair Removal: Shaving, waxing, epilators, laser hair removal, electrolysis.
• Underarm Hair Removal: Shaving, waxing, epilators, laser hair removal, electrolysis.
• Bikini Area Hair Removal: Waxing, sugaring, laser hair removal, electrolysis.
• Chest/Back Hair Removal: Waxing, laser hair removal, electrolysis.

Hair removal products fall under the category of beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin. Based on the provided information, the following HS codes are relevant:

• 3304100000: This HS code covers Lip make-up preparations. While specifically for lips, it falls within the broader category of beauty preparations.
• 3304995000: This HS code covers Other beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin (other than medicaments), including sunscreen or sun tan preparations; manicure or pedicure preparations. This is a general category that could encompass hair removal products not specifically categorized elsewhere.

Regarding HS code 3304100000 and 3304995000, the tariff is structured as follows:

• Chapter 33: Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations. This chapter broadly covers fragrance, cosmetic, and toilet preparations.
• Heading 3304: Beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin (other than medicaments), including sunscreen or sun tan preparations; manicure or pedicure preparations. This heading specifically focuses on preparations for beauty and skin care.
• Subheading 3304100000: Lip make-up preparations. This is a specific type of beauty preparation.
• Subheading 3304995000: Other beauty or make-up preparations and preparations for the care of the skin (other than medicaments), including sunscreen or sun tan preparations; manicure or pedicure preparations. This is a residual subheading for preparations not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 3304.

The tariff details for both HS codes are:

• Basic tariff: 0.0%
• Additional tariff: 25.0%
• Additional tariff after April 2, 2025: 30%
• Total tariff: 55.0%

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'hair removal' are limited, with only the following 2 found.