Folding Comb
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9615115000 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9615114000 | 15.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4421919880 | 38.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4421999880 | 38.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
𧳠Folding Comb (Portable Personal Care Tool)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Compliance Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Know a "Folding Comb"?
A Folding Comb is a portable personal grooming accessory, typically designed for travel or compact storage. It consists of a handle and teeth, hinged or telescopic to allow folding. In international trade, classification depends heavily on material composition (wood/bamboo vs. plastic) and specific design (hair styling vs. general use).
β οΈ Key Distinction Points:
- If the material is Wood/Bamboo (natural or processed) β Classified under Chapter 44 (Wood).
- If the material is Plastic/Hard Rubber β Classified under Chapter 96 (Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles).
- Crucial Note: Do not assume all combs are the same. The duty rate varies significantly (10% vs. 38.3%) based on this single factor.
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Authorized Comparison)
Based on the provided data, here are the four potential classifications for "Folding Combs":
| HS Code | Product Description | Material Inference | Use Case / Logic |
|---|---|---|---|
4421.91.98.80 |
Other articles of wood (Bamboo included) | Bamboo / Wood | Infers material as bamboo, falling under "Other articles of wood, other." |
4421.99.98.80 |
Other articles of wood, not specified elsewhere | Wood or Plastic | Matches as a daily-use small commodity; basis is plastic or wooden, non-specific utility. |
9615.11.50.00 |
Hair combs, hair slides, and similar articles | Plastic / Hard Rubber | Matches form and function; infers material as plastic or hard rubber. |
9615.11.40.00 |
Other hair combs, hair slides, and similar articles | Plastic / Hard Rubber | Matches form and function; infers material as plastic or hard rubber. |
π Important Reminder:
- Wood/Bamboo Combs (4421series) attract higher tariffs due to trade restrictions (Section 301 + Section 122).
- Plastic/Hard Rubber Combs (9615series) generally enjoy lower tariffs (0% base), but still face Section 122 tariffs.
- Do not misdeclare a plastic comb as wood to avoid penalties, or vice versa.
π° III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Add-ons)
β Applicable Country: USA (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: Current policies apply (Section 301 & Section 122)
π― 1. 4421.91.98.80 β Wood/Bamboo Articles (Folding Comb)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Bamboo / Wood |
| Base Duty | 3.3% |
| Section 301 Add-on | +25.0% |
| Section 122 Add-on | +10.0% |
| Total Duty Rate | 38.3% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 38.3% |
| Legal Basis | USITC Chapter 44 + Section 301 Footnote + Section 122 Order |
π Explanation:
- This classification assumes the comb is made of wood or bamboo.
- It suffers from multiple layers of tariffs: Base (3.3%) + Trade War (25%) + New Section 122 (10%).
- Result: A high-cost item for importers.
π― 2. 4421.99.98.80 β Other Wood Articles (Non-Specific)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Wood / Plastic (Mixed inference) |
| Base Duty | 3.3% |
| Section 301 Add-on | +25.0% |
| Section 122 Add-on | +10.0% |
| Total Duty Rate | 38.3% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 38.3% |
| Legal Basis | USITC Chapter 44 + Section 301 + Section 122 |
π Note:
- Similar to4421.91, this code applies to "other" wood articles not elsewhere specified.
- The 38.3% total duty remains the same. Misclassification here can lead to audits if material evidence is lacking.
π― 3. 9615.11.50.00 β Hair Combs (Plastic/Hard Rubber)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic / Hard Rubber |
| Base Duty | 0.0% |
| Section 301 Add-on | 0.0% |
| Section 122 Add-on | +10.0% |
| Total Duty Rate | 10.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 10.0% |
| Legal Basis | USITC Chapter 96 + Section 122 Order |
π Explanation:
- Significant Cost Savings: Base and Section 301 tariffs are 0%.
- Only the Section 122 10% tariff applies.
- Ideal for plastic folding combs. Ensure material is clearly plastic.
π― 4. 9615.11.40.00 β Other Hair Combs (Plastic/Hard Rubber)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic / Hard Rubber |
| Base Duty | 5.3% |
| Section 301 Add-on | 0.0% |
| Section 122 Add-on | +10.0% |
| Total Duty Rate | 15.3% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 15.3% |
| Legal Basis | USITC Chapter 96 + Section 122 Order |
π Note:
- Slightly higher base duty (5.3%) than9615.11.50.
- Still much cheaper than wood/bamboo options.
- Use this if9615.11.50is deemed inapplicable to your specific design.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice
β 1. Documentation Checklist (Must-Have)
| Document | Required | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Photos | βοΈ | Clear images showing hinge mechanism, material texture (grain for wood, smooth for plastic). |
| β Material Declaration | βοΈ | Explicitly state: "100% Bamboo," "ABS Plastic," or "Mixed." |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Describe as "Folding Plastic Comb" or "Bamboo Pocket Comb," not just "Comb." |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Quantity and weight per carton. |
| β Supply Chain Info | βοΈ | Factory address, origin country (China). |
β 2. Declaration Strategy (Key Mantra)
π₯ "Material First, Code Second, Avoid 38%, Aim for 10%!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Wrong Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Folding Comb | 9615.11.50.00 (10% Total) |
Declare as "Wood Comb" β 38.3% (Overpay) |
| Plastic Folding Comb | 9615.11.50.00 (10% Total) |
Declare as "Accessory" β Risk of audit |
| Bamboo Folding Comb | 4421.91.98.80 (38.3% Total) |
Declare as "Plastic" β Customs Penalty/Seizure |
| Unsure Material | Provide Sample + Material Spec | Vague description "Grooming Tool" |
β 3. Special Considerations
| Situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| OEM/Private Label | Ensure the supplierβs material report matches the HS code. |
| Mixed Materials | If handle is wood and teeth are plastic, consult customs broker. Usually classified by "essential character" (often plastic for function, or wood for structure). |
| Section 122 Impact | Note that Section 122 (10%) applies to all these codes for Chinese origin. It is not waived. |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Duty Rate (China Origin) | Key Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 9615.11.50.00 (Plastic) |
10.0% | N/A (Low risk) |
| πΊπΈ USA | 4421.91.98.80 (Bamboo) |
38.3% | High cost, high risk |
| πͺπΊ EU | 9615.19.90 (Plastic) |
~2-5% | CE, REACH |
| π¨π³ China | 9615.19.90 (Plastic) |
6.5% | N/A |
| π¬π§ UK | 9615.19.90 (Plastic) |
~5% | UKCA |
π Conclusion:
- USA is the most expensive market for folding combs due to Section 301 & 122.
- Plastic combs are 3x cheaper to import than bamboo ones in the US.
- If you are importing bamboo combs, the 38.3% tariff is unavoidable for Chinese origin.
π VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)
β Mistake 1: Declaring a plastic comb as wood to avoid Section 301?
π Consequence: False declaration β Fines, Seizure, Blacklist.
β Mistake 2: Declaring a wood comb as plastic?
π Consequence: Customs inspection reveals wood grain β Retroactive Taxes (38.3% - 10% = 28.3% difference) + Penalties.
β Mistake 3: Ignoring Section 122.
π Consequence: Even if Base + 301 are 0% (for plastic), forgetting Section 122 means you underpay 10%.
β Correct Practice:
"Folding Pocket Comb, Material: 100% ABS Plastic, Origin: China, HS Code: 9615.11.50.00"
π― VII. Conclusion: Smart Classification, Lower Costs!
π― Remember the Mantra:
πΉ "Plastic = 10% Total (Save Big!)"
πΉ "Bamboo/Wood = 38.3% Total (Prepare Cash!)"
πΉ "Section 122 Hits Everyone!"
π Pro Tip:
- If you are a dropshipper or small importer, choose plastic folding combs to minimize duty costs.
- If your product is luxury bamboo, factor in the 38.3% duty in your pricing model.
- Always match the physical material to the HS Code.
π£ Take Action Now:
π Verify material with supplier β Choose
9615for plastic β Declare accurately β Clear customs smoothly!
π Donβt let 28% tax difference eat your profit!
β¨ Professional Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
πΌ Every dollar saved in duty is pure profit!
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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.