Find HS Code and trade information for insect repellent

Insect Repellent

Insect repellents are substances applied to skin, clothing, or surroundings to deter biting insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, and flies. They function by disrupting the insect's ability to sense chemical signals (primarily carbon dioxide and lactic acid) emitted by humans and animals, making the host less attractive.

Materials & Active Ingredients

The efficacy and duration of protection vary significantly based on the active ingredient. Common ingredients include:

• DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide): The most widely used and studied repellent. Effective against a broad spectrum of insects. Concentrations range from 5% to 100%, with higher concentrations providing longer protection but not necessarily increased effectiveness.
• Picaridin (Icaridin): A synthetic repellent considered by many to be comparable to DEET in effectiveness, with a less noticeable odor and a lower potential for plasticizing materials.
• Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) / PMD (p-Menthane-3,8-diol): A plant-based repellent derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree. Effective against mosquitoes but generally requires more frequent application than DEET or Picaridin. Note: Pure lemon eucalyptus essential oil is not the same as OLE and is not recommended for use as a repellent.
• IR3535: A synthetic repellent often found in lower concentration products. Generally considered effective against mosquitoes and ticks.
• Other Ingredients: Products often contain solvents (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol), fragrances, and other additives to improve application and user experience.

Purpose & Function

The primary purpose of insect repellents is to prevent insect bites, which can transmit diseases such as:

• Mosquito-borne diseases: Malaria, Dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, Yellow fever.
• Tick-borne diseases: Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis.
• Other diseases: Various viruses and parasites transmitted by flies and other biting insects.

Repellents do not kill insects; they create a zone of protection around the treated area, discouraging them from landing or biting.

Usage Scenarios

• Outdoor Activities: Hiking, camping, gardening, fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities in areas with insect populations.
• Travel: Particularly to regions where insect-borne diseases are prevalent.
• Everyday Use: In areas with high mosquito or tick density, even in residential yards.

Common Types & Formulations

• Sprays: The most common type, offering easy application over larger areas.
• Lotions: Provide more targeted application and longer-lasting protection.
• Wipes: Convenient for on-the-go application.
• Impregnated Clothing: Clothing pre-treated with repellent chemicals, offering extended protection.
• Devices (e.g., Vaporizers, Lanterns): Release repellent chemicals into the surrounding air, providing area protection. These are often less effective than topical applications.
• Wristbands: Generally considered less effective than other forms of repellent.

Safety Considerations

• Follow label instructions carefully.
• Use the lowest effective concentration.
• Avoid application to eyes, mouth, and broken skin.
• Do not use on infants under 2 months of age.
• Wash treated skin and clothing after returning indoors.
• Be aware of potential allergic reactions.
• Consider environmental impact when choosing repellent products.

Insect repellents fall under the category of preparations for personal use, specifically those used before, during, or after shaving, or as personal deodorants and bath preparations.

Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided information:

• 3307900000: This HS code covers “Pre-shave, shaving or after-shave preparations, personal deodorants, bath preparations, depilatories and other perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations, not elsewhere specified or included; prepared room deodorizers, whether or not perfumed or having disinfectant properties: Other”. This is a broad category encompassing various personal care items not specifically listed elsewhere. The '33' indicates Chapter 33, relating to essential oils and resinoids, perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations. '07' denotes Heading 07, specifically for preparations for personal care. '900000' signifies 'Other', meaning it covers items within this category that aren't further specified. The applicable tax rate is a base tariff of 5.4%, a surcharge of 25.0%, and a surcharge of 30.0% after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tax rate of 60.4%.

It is important to note that this HS code is a general classification. Depending on the specific composition and intended use of the insect repellent, other classifications might be considered, but based solely on the provided reference material, 3307900000 is the most applicable.