Find HS Code and trade information for virgin silicone mold

Virgin Silicone Mold

A virgin silicone mold refers to a mold constructed from 100% pure silicone rubber, distinguished from molds made with fillers or recycled silicone. These molds are widely used in various crafting and manufacturing applications due to their unique properties.

Material

The core material is platinum or tin-cured silicone rubber.

• Platinum-cured silicone: Considered higher quality, offering superior detail reproduction, longer lifespan, and lower toxicity. It's generally preferred for applications involving food, skin-safe products, and intricate designs.
• Tin-cured silicone: More affordable, but may exhibit shrinkage over time and is generally not recommended for direct food contact or prolonged skin contact.

“Virgin” indicates the silicone has not been previously used or mixed with other materials, ensuring consistency and purity.

Purpose

The primary purpose of a virgin silicone mold is to create replicas of a master pattern. They are used for casting various materials, including:

• Resin (epoxy, polyurethane)
• Wax
• Clay
• Plaster
• Concrete
• Soap
• Candles
• Chocolate
• Food-grade materials (with food-safe silicone)

Function

Silicone molds function by providing a flexible, non-stick cavity that accurately captures the shape of the original pattern. The silicone's flexibility allows for easy demolding without damaging the cast piece. Key functional characteristics include:

• High tear strength: Resists tearing during demolding.
• Dimensional stability: Maintains shape and accuracy over repeated uses.
• Chemical resistance: Resists reaction with casting materials.
• Temperature resistance: Withstands a range of temperatures for casting hot or cold materials.
• Non-stick surface: Facilitates easy release of cast objects.

Usage Scenarios

• Resin Art: Creating jewelry, coasters, keychains, and decorative items.
• Candle Making: Producing uniquely shaped candles.
• Soap Making: Forming intricate soap designs.
• Food Industry: Chocolate molds, baking molds, ice cube trays (using food-grade silicone).
• Sculpting & Casting: Replicating sculptures, prototypes, and art pieces.
• Jewelry Making: Creating molds for metal clay, wax casting, or resin jewelry.
• Prototyping: Quickly creating multiple copies of a design for testing and evaluation.

Common Types

• Two-Part Molds: The most common type, created by pouring silicone over a master pattern contained within a mold box. This allows for easy removal of the master.
• One-Part Molds: Simpler to create, but often less detailed and more difficult to demold.
• Brush-On Molds: Silicone is brushed onto the master pattern in layers.
• Pour Molds: Silicone is poured directly onto the master pattern.
• Food-Grade Molds: Specifically formulated silicone that meets safety standards for food contact.
• High-Temperature Molds: Designed to withstand higher temperatures for casting materials like hot wax or metal.

Based on the provided information, “virgin silicone mold” can be classified under the following HS codes:

• 3910.00.00 - Silicones in primary forms. This HS code covers silicones that have not been processed into specific shapes or forms. “Primary forms” indicates the material is in its initial state, ready for manufacturing.
• 4016.99.05.00 - Other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber: Other: Other: Household articles not elsewhere specified or included. If the silicone mold is used for household purposes (e.g., baking, crafting), this code may be applicable.
• 4016.99.55.00 - Other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber: Other: Other: Vibration control goods of a kind used in the vehicles of headings 8701 through 8705. If the silicone mold is used as a vibration control component in vehicles, this code may be applicable.

Regarding HS code 3910.00.00, the two-digit sections represent:

• 39: Plastics and articles thereof.
• 10: Silicones in primary forms.

Regarding HS code 4016.99.05.00, the two-digit sections represent:

• 40: Rubber and articles thereof.
• 16: Other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber.
• 99: Other.
• 05: Household articles not elsewhere specified or included.

Regarding HS code 4016.99.55.00, the two-digit sections represent:

• 40: Rubber and articles thereof.
• 16: Other articles of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber.
• 99: Other.
• 55: Vibration control goods of a kind used in the vehicles of headings 8701 through 8705.

Please note that the applicable tax rate for each HS code is as follows:

• 3910.00.00: Basic tariff: 3.0%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 58.0%.
• 4016.99.05.00: Basic tariff: 3.4%, Additional tariff: 7.5%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 40.9%.
• 4016.99.55.00: Basic tariff: 2.5%, Additional tariff: 25.0%, Additional tariff after 2025.4.2: 30.0%, Total tariff: 57.5%.