Beard Comb
CN โ US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9615114000 | 15.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9615112000 | 15.2% | CN | US | Official Doc |
AI Analysis
๐งโโ๏ธ Beard Comb (็ทๅฃซ่ก้กปๆขณ/ไฟฎ้ขๆขณ)
๐ HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Clearance Strategy
๐ I. Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Know "Beard Comb"?
A Beard Comb is a grooming tool designed specifically for styling, detangling, and maintaining facial hair. In international trade, it falls under the broader category of hair-slides and the like, distinct from electrical styling tools (like hair dryers or curling wands, which fall under Heading 8516).
The key distinction lies in the material and value: * Plastic/Hard Rubber Combs: Mass-produced, affordable grooming tools. * Precious Materials: If made of ivory, tortoise shell, or precious metals, they fall under different headings (e.g., Chapter 71 or 9601/9606).
โ ๏ธ Critical Distinction:
- If the comb is made of hard rubber or plastics โ It is governed by Heading 9615.
- If it is an electrical comb (heated, motorized) โ It may fall under Heading 8516 (Article not in DATA).
- Based on the provided DATA, we focus exclusively on non-electrical plastic/rubber combs.
๐ฆ II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority)
Based on the provided data, Beard Combs made of hard rubber or plastic are classified into two specific subheadings depending on material type and unit value.
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Scenario | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
9615.11.40.00 |
Combs, hair-slides, etc.: Of hard rubber or plastics: Other: Not set with imitation pearls or imitation gemstones | Standard plastic beard combs, no decorative gemstones, low value | โ
Material: Plastic/Rubber โ Decoration: None/Generic |
9615.11.20.00 |
Combs, hair-slides, etc.: Of hard rubber or plastics: Combs: Valued over $4.50 per gross: Of hard rubber | Premium hard rubber beard combs, high unit value | โ
Material: Hard Rubber ONLY โ Value: > $4.50 per gross |
๐ Key Reminder:
-9615.11.40.00is the general bucket for plastic combs or any hard rubber comb that does not meet the high-value threshold.
-9615.11.20.00is specific to Hard Rubber combs that are expensive (>$4.50 per gross).
- Plastic combs cannot be classified under9615.11.20.00because that subheading explicitly requires "Of hard rubber."
๐ฐ III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Details (Including Surtaxes)
โ Applicable Country: United States (US)
โ Origin: China (CN) (Assumed based on typical tariff queries, but rates are 0% regardless of origin in this specific snippet)
โ Effective Time: Current Tariff Schedule
๐ฏ 1. 9615.11.40.00 โโ Plastic Beard Combs (General)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff Rate | 0.0% |
| Surtax (Section 301/IEEPA) | 0.0% |
| Total Tariff Rate | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value ร 0% = $0 |
| De Minimis Eligibility | โ Yes (If value < $800, no duty anyway) |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:9615.11.40.00 โ No surtax footnote applies |
๐ Explanation:
- This is a low-risk, low-cost item for importers.
- No additional Section 301 or IEEPA surtaxes apply to this specific plastic/commodity code in the provided data.
- Ideal for high-volume, low-margin grooming product businesses.
๐ฏ 2. 9615.11.20.00 โโ Hard Rubber Beard Combs (High Value)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff Rate | 0.0% |
| Surtax (Section 301/IEEPA) | 0.0% |
| Total Tariff Rate | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value ร 0% = $0 |
| De Minimis Eligibility | โ Yes (If value < $800) |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:9615.11.20.00 โ No surtax footnote applies |
๐ Note:
- Even though this is a "premium" item (> $4.50/gross), it still enjoys 0% total tax.
- This is a rare advantage for luxury grooming accessories made of hard rubber.
- Caution: Misclassifying a $50 hard rubber comb as a plastic comb (9615.11.40.00) might raise red flags if the material is clearly dense/rubbery, though the tax is the same. Accuracy is still key for customs audits.
๐ ๏ธ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Practical Pitfall Avoidance Guide)
โ 1. Preparation Checklist (No Compromise)
| Document | Required | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| โ Product Photos | โ๏ธ | Clear images showing material (plastic vs. rubber), shape, and teeth spacing. |
| โ Bill of Materials (BOM) | โ๏ธ | Specify "100% Plastic" or "100% Hard Rubber." Avoid vague terms like "composite material." |
| โ Commercial Invoice | โ๏ธ | Must state: "Beard Comb, Plastic/Hard Rubber, Not Electric." |
| โ Value Declaration | โ๏ธ | For 9615.11.20.00, must prove value > $4.50/gross. For 9615.11.40.00, any value is fine. |
| โ HS Code Pre-ruling | โ Optional | Recommended for high-volume shipments to avoid disputes on "Hard Rubber" vs. "Plastic." |
โ 2. Declaration Tips (Key Mnemonic)
๐ฅ โMaterial First, Value Second, Plastic Goes to 40, Rubber Over 4.5 Goes to 20!โ
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Way | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Plastic Beard Comb | 9615.11.40.00 |
Declaring as Hard Rubber | Risk of mismatch in material analysis |
| Premium Hard Rubber Comb (> $4.50/gross) | 9615.11.20.00 |
Declaring as Plastic | Still 0% tax, but technically inaccurate material classification |
| Electric Heated Beard Comb | Not in DATA (Check 8516) | Using 9615 codes | Major Error: Electrical goods have different rules |
| Comb with Fake Gemstones | Not in DATA (Check 9615.11.90 or similar) | Using 9615.11.40.00 | Excluded by description: "Not set with imitation pearls..." |
โ 3. Special Circumstances Handling
| Situation | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| Set of Combs | If a "Beard Care Kit" includes a comb + scissors + oil, declare the principal component or split if value allows. Usually, the comb alone determines the HS if it's the main item. |
| Material Ambiguity | If the supplier says "Resin" or "Acetate," it is often treated as Plastic (9615.11.40.00) unless proven to be natural hard rubber (which is rare for combs). |
| Gift Sets | If the comb is a free gift in a set, it may still need to be declared if its value exceeds de minimis thresholds or if itโs a significant component. |
๐ V. Global Market Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff Rate | Certification | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐บ๐ธ USA | 9615.11.40.00 / 9615.11.20.00 |
0.0% | None typically | Lowest duty rate in major markets |
| ๐จ๐ณ China | 9615.11.40.00 |
~0-2% | None | Domestic production is high |
| ๐ช๐บ EU | 9615.11.00 |
0% | CE (if plastic additives) | Very favorable |
| ๐ฌ๐ง UK | 9615.11.00 |
0% | UKCA (if applicable) | Post-Brexit rules favorable |
| ๐จ๐ฆ Canada | 9615.11.00 |
0% | None | No surtaxes |
๐ Conclusion:
- USA offers 0% duty for these items, making it highly competitive for import.
- No anti-dumping or countervailing duties apply to these specific HS codes in the provided data.
- No Section 301/IEEPA surtaxes apply, unlike electronics or steel.
๐ VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfall Guide (Blood & Tears Lessons)
โ Mistake 1: Declaring an Electric beard comb under 9615
๐ Consequence: Customs may flag it as misclassified. Electrical items fall under 8516. While tax might be different, the procedural violation is severe.
๐ Fix: Check if the comb has a battery or USB charging. If yes, itโs 8516.
โ Mistake 2: Misidentifying Material
๐ Consequence: If you declare "Plastic" but the item is "Hard Rubber" valued over $4.50/gross, you should use 9615.11.20.00. While tax is the same, inaccurate material description can lead to fines during audits.
๐ Fix: Verify with the supplier. "Acetate" is usually Plastic. "Natural Rubber" is Hard Rubber.
โ Mistake 3: Ignoring Decoration
๐ Consequence: If the comb has imitation pearls or gemstones, it is excluded from 9615.11.40.00 (which says "Not set with..."). It may fall under a different subheading (e.g., 9615.11.90).
๐ Fix: Inspect photos. If gems are present, do not use 9615.11.40.00.
๐ฏ VII. Conclusion: Professional Declaration, Save Time, Save Money!
๐ฏ Remember the Mnemonic:
๐น โPlastic & Cheap โ 9615.11.40.00 (0%)โ
๐น โHard Rubber & Expensive โ 9615.11.20.00 (0%)โ
๐น โElectric? โ Not in this Data (Check 8516)โ
๐น โGems? โ Not in 9615.11.40.00โ
๐ Pro Tip:
- For beard combs, the duty rate is 0% in the US under the provided data.
- The biggest risk is not tax, but classification accuracy.
- Always provide clear photos and material specs to avoid customs delays.
- If you are importing high-value hard rubber combs, ensure the value per gross is calculated correctly to justify 9615.11.20.00.
๐ฃ Immediate Action:
๐ Confirm Material: Plastic or Hard Rubber?
๐ฐ Calculate Value: Is it > $4.50 per gross?
๐ Check Power: Is it electric? (If yes, stop and check 8516)
๐ Declare Accurately: Use the correct HS code to ensure smooth clearance.
โจ Professional Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
๐ผ Even 0% Duty Items Require Perfect Documentation!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) โ Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) โ More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) โ Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) โ Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate โ The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate โ Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties โ Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.