Navigating customs classifications for transparent umbrellas can feel like decoding a foreign language—especially when every digit in an HS code impacts your bottom line. If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head over whether your umbrella’s plastic canopy belongs in one category or its metal frame in another, this breakdown is for you. Let’s cut through the jargon and lay out the essential HS codes you need to know.
The Core HS Codes for Transparent Umbrellas (CN to US)
After digging into trade regulations, here are the key HS codes for transparent umbrellas and their components, with tariff rates as of May 12, 2025:
| HS Code | Product Description | Tariff Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 6601990000 | Umbrellas and sun umbrellas (think walking-stick umbrellas, garden shades, and the like) | 38.2% |
| 3901909000 | Ethylene polymers in raw form (hello, plastic pellets for umbrella canopies) | 61.5% |
| 4016990500 | Vulcanized rubber odds and ends (umbrella handle grips, seals—you get the idea) | 40.9% |
| 8308906000 | Metal clasps, buckles, and gizmos for umbrellas (the bits that make them open and close) | 58.9% |
Breaking Down Each Code Like a Pro
- 6601990000: The Full Monty—Complete Umbrellas
- This code covers the whole shebang: ready-to-use umbrellas for rain or sun. The “other” in the description? It means your umbrella doesn’t have fancy features like built-in LED lights (those need a different code).
- Tax talk: Base duty sits at 8.2%, but the total 38.2% includes extra duties—something to pencil into your budget.
- 3901909000: Plastic Pellets for Canopies
- If you’re importing raw plastic (think tiny polyethylene pellets) to make umbrella fabric, this is your code. The higher tariff here is a heads-up that “primary form” plastics often come with steeper rates.
- Pro tip: Whether it’s pellets, granules, or powder—how the plastic is shaped matters for classification.
- 4016990500: Rubber Bits and Bobs
- This targets vulcanized rubber parts like handle grips or seals. “Vulcanized” just means they’ve been chemically treated to be tougher, not the hard rubber you’d find in old-fashioned erasers.
- Tariff insight: Base duty is 3.4%, but the total 40.9% is what’ll hit your wallet.
- 8308906000: Metal Hardware that Holds It All Together
- Clasps, buckles, those little runners that slide up and down—if they’re made of regular metal (not gold or silver, obviously), this is their code.
- Key point: These parts need to do what the code says—like secure the fabric or help the umbrella open. No free passes for decorative-only bits.
Real-World Tips for Importers
- Material Mix and Match: A transparent umbrella is a puzzle of parts. The plastic canopy? 3901909000. The metal frame? 8308906000. Always list each component separately on invoices.
- 2025 Tariff Shift Warning: Mark your calendar—additional duties jump to 30% after April 2, 2025. That’s a big deal for cost planning.
- Customs Are Sticklers: Even with this guide, customs officials have the final say. Include detailed notes on materials and functions—no vague “umbrella parts” descriptions.
My Two Cents for Smooth Sailing
- Hire a Customs Whisperer: A local broker who knows the ins and outs (like EU’s REACH rules for plastics) is worth their weight in gold.
- Invoices: The More Details, the Better: Instead of “umbrella parts,” write “polyethylene canopy, vulcanized rubber handle, steel runner.”
- Stay in the Tariff Loop: Trade rules change—subscribe to updates so you’re not blindsided by surprise costs.
Need a Deeper Dive?
For interactive tools to check classifications and a line-by-line breakdown of each code, swing by our detailed resource:
Get Specific: Transparent Umbrella HS Code & Trade Data
Figuring out HS codes isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about keeping your supply chain lean and your costs in check. Got a tricky component or tariff question? Drop it in the comments below—I’m all ears.
Disclaimer: This is a guide, not gospel. Always double-check with official sources or a customs pro for your specific case.