Bird Feeder
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3926901000 | 20.9% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926904000 | 12.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4421919880 | 38.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4421999880 | 38.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 7326908688 | 87.9% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
π¦ Bird Feeder: Global HS Code Classification, Tax Breakdown & Clearance Strategy (2026 Edition)
π Bird Feeder Classification & Tax Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Smart Clearance Strategy
π I. Product Definition: Is Your "Bird Feeder" Plastic, Wood, or Metal?
A Bird Feeder is a garden or backyard accessory designed to hold seeds or nectar for birds. In international trade, classification depends entirely on the material composition and manufacturing form. Since the item falls under a "residual" category (i.e., "Other" in most chapters), the material dictates the HS Code and, consequently, the tax rate.
π Critical Material Distinctions: * π¦ Plastic/Molded: If the feeder is made of synthetic resin, polypropylene, or similar polymers, it falls under Chapter 39. * π« Wood/Bamboo: If made of solid wood, bamboo, or wood-based composites, it falls under Chapter 44. * π© Metal (Iron/Steel): If made of wire mesh, sheet metal, or cast iron, it falls under Chapter 73.
β οΈ Key Classification Rule:
- Plastic β 3926.90.10.00 (Lowest Risk, Lowest Tax)
- Wood β 4421.91.98.80 / 4421.99.98.80 (High Risk, Highest Tax)
- Metal β 7326.90.86.88 (Highest Risk, Catastrophic Tax)Misclassification leads to severe penalties and unexpected costs!
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Matrix (2026 Official Tariff Reference)
| HS Code | Material Basis | Product Description | Tax Logic Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3926.90.10.00 | π¦ Plastic / Synthetic | Other Articles of Plastics. Feeder is a molded container or accessory, not specifically named elsewhere. | β Low Tax. Fits "Other Plastic Articles" logic. |
| 3926.90.40.00 | π¦ Plastic / Synthetic | Other Articles of Plastics. Similar to above, but specific sub-category for "Other" plastic items. | β Medium Tax. "Other" plastic category logic applies. |
| 4421.91.98.80 | π« Wood / Bamboo | Other Articles of Wood. Made of bamboo or wood; falls under "Other" as it's not doors/pencils. | β High Tax. Wood products face heavy "Section 301" penalties. |
| 4421.99.98.80 | π« Wood / Bamboo | Other Articles of Wood. Solid wood or mixed wood feeder; no specific exclusion applies. | β High Tax. Same high penalty rate for wood. |
| 7326.90.86.88 | π© Iron / Steel | Other Articles of Iron or Steel. Wire mesh, metal frame, or sheet metal feeder. | π Disastrous Tax. Metal faces the highest combined tariffs. |
π Critical Insight:
- Plastic (3926) is the safest classification with the lowest tax burden.
- Wood (4421) incurs massive 25% Section 301 penalties plus base tariffs.
- Metal (7326) incurs a total of 87.9% tax due to steel/aluminum surcharges.
- Always declare the exact material!
π° III. 2026 Tariff Rate Breakdown (Detailed Tax Analysis)
β Applicable Market: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (Including subsequent imports)
π― 1. 3926.90.10.00 β Plastic Bird Feeder (Best Case)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 3.4% (Ad Valorem) |
| Section 301 Add-on | 7.5% (Standard USITC penalty) |
| 122 Clause (China) | 10% (IEEPAε―Ήεε εΎ) |
| Total Tax Rate | 20.9% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 20.9% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β NO (Not eligible for Section 321 de minimis) |
| Legal Path | 3926.90.10.00 β Footnote 301 β IEEPA 122 |
π Explanation:
- 3.4% is the standard Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate.
- 7.5% is the Section 301 penalty for "Other Plastic Articles".
- 10% is the specific China tariff under Section 122.
- Total 20.9% is the most favorable scenario for a Bird Feeder.
π― 2. 3926.90.40.00 β Other Plastic Bird Feeder
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 2.8% |
| Section 301 Add-on | 0.0% (No 301 penalty for this sub-category) |
| 122 Clause (China) | 10% |
| Total Tax Rate | 12.8% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 12.8% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β NO |
| Legal Path | 3926.90.40.00 β IEEPA 122 |
π Note:
- This is the absolute cheapest option if the product is purely plastic.
- No Section 301 penalty applies here, making it highly competitive.
π― 3. 4421.91.98.80 / 4421.99.98.80 β Wooden/Bamboo Bird Feeder
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 3.3% |
| Section 301 Add-on | 25.0% (Heavy penalty for Wood) |
| 122 Clause (China) | 10% |
| Total Tax Rate | 38.3% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 38.3% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β NO |
| Legal Path | 4421.99 β Footnote 301 β IEEPA 122 |
π Warning:
- 25% Section 301 penalty makes wood products very expensive to import.
- Total 38.3% significantly impacts profit margins.
- Bamboo is treated as wood for US customs purposes.
π― 4. 7326.90.86.88 β Metal (Iron/Steel) Bird Feeder
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 2.9% |
| Section 301 Add-on | 25.0% (Heavy penalty for Steel/Iron) |
| Steel/Aluminum Surcharges | 50.0% (Section 232 on Steel/Aluminum) |
| 122 Clause (China) | 10% |
| Total Tax Rate | 87.9% |
| Calculation | CIF Value Γ 87.9% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β NO |
| Legal Path | 7326.90.86.88 β Section 232 β Footnote 301 β IEEPA 122 |
π CRITICAL WARNING:
- 87.9% is an EXTREMELY HIGH tax rate!
- This includes a 50% tariff specifically on steel/aluminum products (Section 232).
- Do not import metal feeders unless you have a specialized exemption or can absorb the cost.
π οΈ IV. Clearance & Operational Advice (Risk Mitigation)
β 1. Documentation Checklist (Mandatory)
| Document | Requirement | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Material Declaration | βοΈ Must Specify | "100% Plastic", "Solid Wood", "Steel Wire" |
| Product Photos | βοΈ Clear View | Must show texture, seams, and assembly (crucial for classification) |
| Spec Sheet | βοΈ Composition | % by weight of plastic, wood, or metal |
| Bill of Lading | βοΈ Accurate Name | "Plastic Bird Feeder", NOT just "Garden Ornament" |
| Commercial Invoice | βοΈ Value Breakdown | Separate value for assembly/packaging if needed |
π₯ Pro Tip: If the feeder is mixed material (e.g., plastic bowl + wooden roof), the substantive material (the main structural component) determines the HS Code.
β 2. Classification Strategy (The "Golden Rule")
π₯ Rule of Thumb:
"Plastic Wins, Wood Pays, Metal Dies!"
| Scenario | Recommended Action | Avoid This |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Feeder | Declare 3926.90.40.00 (12.8% tax) |
Declare as "Toy" or "Garden Decor" |
| Wood Feeder | Declare 4421.91.98.80 (38.3% tax) |
Try to hide wood content β Audit Risk |
| Metal Feeder | STOP! Re-evaluate supply chain | Declare as "Iron" β 87.9% tax kills margin |
β 3. Special Case Handling
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| Mixed Materials | If >50% plastic, declare under 3926. If <50%, check Chapter 44. |
| OEM Custom Design | Provide design drawings to prove material composition. |
| "Bird Bath" vs. "Feeder" | Bird Baths are often ceramic or stone; check Chapter 69 or 73 separately. |
| Bamboo Feeders | Treated as Wood (4421), not a distinct category. |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Region | Best HS Code | Total Tax (CN Origin) | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 3926.90.40.00 |
12.8% (Plastic) | Avoid Metal (87.9%) and Wood (38.3%) |
| π¨π³ China | 3926.90.40.00 |
5% | Low risk, no 301/232 penalties |
| πͺπΊ EU | 3926.90.99 |
0-4% | No Section 301, but eco-taxes may apply |
| π¦πΊ Australia | 3926.90.99 |
5% | Moderate tariffs, no Section 232 |
π Conclusion:
- The US market is the most hostile toward Metal (87.9%) and Wood (38.3%) bird feeders.
- Plastic feeders are the only viable option for the US market without significant tax erosion.
- If you manufacture metal feeders, consider shifting production to Vietnam/Mexico to bypass Section 301/232.
π VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)
β Mistake 1: Declaring a metal feeder as "Garden Ornament" under Chapter 94 (Furniture).
π Result: Customs re-classifies as 7326.90.86.88 β 87.9% tax + Penalty.
β Mistake 2: Declaring a wooden feeder as "Plastic" to save tax.
π Result: Physical inspection reveals wood texture β 38.3% tax + Fraud Investigation.
β Mistake 3: Claiming "De Minimis" (Section 321) for high-value batches.
π Result: If value >$800 or commercial quantity, no exemption β Full Tax applies.
β Correct Approach:
"Plastic Bird Feeder, 100% Polypropylene, Molded, 5L Capacity, UV Resistant, Model BF-2026."
π― VII. Final Verdict: Strategic Recommendations
π― Action Plan:
1. Switch to Plastic: If possible, redesign feeders to be 100% Plastic to secure the 12.8% tax rate (3926.90.40.00).
2. Avoid Metal: If the product is metal, stop US imports or find a factory in a non-targeted country (Vietnam/Mexico).
3. Accept Wood Costs: If wood is required, budget for 38.3% tax and factor it into your pricing.
4. Pre-Audit: Submit samples to a customs broker for a Binding Ruling before shipping.
πΉ Remember: "Material is King. Plastic is King. Metal is Doom."
πΉ Tax Differential: 12.8% (Plastic) vs 87.9% (Metal) = 75.1% difference!
π Final Tip:
If your Bird Feeder contains mixed materials (e.g., plastic parts + metal wire), declare based on the principal material. If unsure, consult a customs broker immediately.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Audit your BOM (Bill of Materials) today.
π Re-classify from Metal/Wood to Plastic where possible.
π Avoid the 87.9% Tax Trap!
β¨ Smart Clearance Starts with the Right HS Code!
πΌ Your Profit Margin Depends on This 3-Character Difference!
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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) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β 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 β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β 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.