Find HS Code and trade information for tailor's ruler

Tailor's Ruler

A tailor's ruler, also known as a measuring tape or seam ruler, is a specialized tool used in garment construction, alterations, and pattern making. It differs from standard rulers in its flexibility and markings designed for fabric measurement.

Material:

• Fiberglass: The most common material, offering flexibility, durability, and resistance to stretching.
• Plastic: Less expensive, suitable for basic measurements, but prone to stretching and less accurate for precise work.
• Metal: Less common now, but historically used for durability and accuracy; can damage delicate fabrics.

Purpose:

The primary purpose is accurate measurement of fabric, seams, and garment dimensions for creating, altering, and fitting clothing.

Function:

• Curved Edge: A key feature allowing for measurement of curved surfaces like collars, cuffs, and hips.
• Dual Scale: Typically features both inches and centimeters.
• Markings: Includes standard inch/centimeter divisions, often with additional markings for seam allowances (e.g., ¼ inch, ½ inch), hem allowances, and dart placement.
• Flexibility: Enables contouring to body shapes for accurate body measurements.
• Transparency: Allows visibility of fabric underneath for precise marking.

Usage Scenarios:

• Taking Body Measurements: Accurately determining circumference of neck, chest, waist, hips, arm length, inseam, etc.
• Pattern Making: Drafting patterns, transferring measurements to fabric.
• Garment Alterations: Adjusting existing garments for a better fit.
• Seam Allowance Marking: Ensuring consistent seam widths.
• Hemming: Measuring and marking hem lengths.
• Quilting: While not its primary use, it can be adapted for some quilting measurements.

Common Types:

• Standard 60-inch (150 cm) Ruler: The most versatile type, suitable for most applications.
• Short Rulers (12-18 inches / 30-45 cm): Useful for detailed work, smaller alterations, and pattern adjustments.
• Flexible Curve Rulers: Designed specifically for drawing curved lines and measuring curved surfaces.
• Clear Plastic Rulers: Inexpensive and useful for basic measurements.
• Rulers with Grid Markings: Feature a grid pattern for easy square and rectangle measurements.
• Hip and Waist Measuring Tapes: Specifically designed for accurate body measurements around the hips and waist. These are often made of flexible vinyl.

Tailor's rulers fall under the category of drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments. Here's a breakdown of relevant HS codes based on the provided information:

• 9017.80.00.00: This HS code covers drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments, specifically other instruments. This is a broad category encompassing items not specifically listed elsewhere within the chapter. The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 5.3%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Post-April 2, 2025, additional tariff: 30.0%, resulting in a total tariff of 60.3%.
• 9017.20.80.40: This HS code specifically covers other drawing, marking-out or mathematical calculating instruments, namely other hand-operated input devices which transmit position data to computer processors or displays (digitizers). The tax rate details are: Basic tariff: 4.6%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Post-April 2, 2025, additional tariff: 30.0%, resulting in a total tariff of 59.6%.

It is important to determine whether the tailor's ruler is a simple measuring tool (falling under 9017.80.00.00) or a more advanced digitizer transmitting data to a computer (falling under 9017.20.80.40).