Oil Lamp Wick
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5908000000 | 38.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 5601290090 | 39.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3406000000 | 17.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 5601210090 | 38.6% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 5908000000 | 38.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
π―οΈ Oil Lamp Wick: Global HS Code Guide & 2026 Tariff Breakdown
π International Trade Classification & Duty Strategy | 2026 Customs Update | Smart Import Compliance
π Section 1: What Exactly is an "Oil Lamp Wick"?
An Oil Lamp Wick is a consumable textile component designed to draw fuel (oil) to the flame via capillary action. In international trade, its classification depends strictly on material composition (cotton, synthetic, felt) and functionality (standalone accessory vs. candle component).
The Critical Distinction: * Textile Wicks (Basis: 5908/5601): Made from woven fabrics, braided cotton, or fibrous fillers used for lamps. Highly susceptible to US Section 301 & 122 tariffs. * Candle Components (Basis: 3406): Wicks used strictly as part of a candle system or "wax accessories." Lower tariffs, different classification logic.
β οΈ Key Takeaway:
- Textile Material + Lamp Use β 5908.00.00.00 or 5601 series (High Tax)
- Consumable Part of Candle β 3406.00.00.00 (Low Tax)
- Mistake: Classifying a textile wick as a candle part to avoid 301 tariffs is a common audit risk.
π¦ Section 2: HS Code Classification Matrix (2026 Data)
Based on the provided data, here are the precise classifications and their tax implications for China-origin goods imported into the US.
| HS Code | Classification Description | Material/State | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5908.00.00.00 | Textile Wicks for Lamps | Based on textile material; generic lamp wick classification | 38.4% |
| 5601.29.00.90 | Cotton/Fiber/Wool Wicks | Filler material: Cotton, Fiber, or Felt | 39.0% |
| 3406.00.00.00 | Candle Accessories | Consumable part of a candle assembly | 17.5% |
| 5601.21.00.90 | Braided Cotton Wicks | Woven/Braided cotton fiber with padding | 38.6% |
| 5908.00.00.00 | Consistent Textile Wicks | Textile material + Lamp function (Reiteration) | 38.4% |
π Pattern Analysis:
- Textile-based wicks (5908, 5601) face a brutal 38%β39% total tax rate.
- Candle-based wicks (3406) enjoy a significantly lower 17.5% rate.
- Why the gap? The US applies heavy Section 301 tariffs (25%) + Section 122 duties (10%) on textile/chemical categories, but treats "candle accessories" slightly differently.
π° Section 3: 2026 Tariff Structure Deep Dive
β Origin: China (CN)
β Destination: USA
β Timeframe: 2026 Customs Regime
π― A. The "High Tax" Cluster (HS 5908 & 5601)
Applies to: 5908.00.00.00, 5601.29.00.90, 5601.21.00.90
| Component | Rate | Legal Basis | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Duty | 3.4% β 4.0% | Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) | Standard Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate for textiles. |
| Section 301 | +25.0% | 122 Tariff / USITC Footnote | Critical: US "Add-on" tariff for Chinese textiles to protect domestic manufacturing. |
| Section 122 | +10.0% | Trade Act Section 122 | Additional duty targeting specific Chinese imports. |
| TOTAL | 38.4% β 39.0% | Combined | Very High Barrier to Entry |
π The Math:
If your CIF value is $1,000:
- Base Tax: ~$36
- Section 301: $250
- Section 122: $100
- Total Duty: $386 (38.6% of value)
π― B. The "Lower Tax" Cluster (HS 3406)
Applies to: 3406.00.00.00 (Candle Accessories)
| Component | Rate | Legal Basis | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Duty | 0.0% | HTS | Zero base duty for certain chemical/candle accessories. |
| Section 301 | +7.5% | USITC / Add-on | Lowered surcharge compared to textiles (likely due to product nature). |
| Section 122 | +10.0% | Trade Act Section 122 | Still applies as a China-specific add-on. |
| TOTAL | 17.5% | Combined | Moderate Barrier |
π The Math:
If your CIF value is $1,000:
- Base Tax: $0
- Section 301: $75
- Section 122: $100
- Total Duty: $175 (17.5% of value)
π οΈ Section 4: Customs Clearance Strategy & Action Plan
β 1. Material Verification (The #1 Rule)
Before shipping, you must determine the exact material composition. * Is it pure Cotton/Textile? β Expect 38.4%β39.0%. * Is it a "Candle Wick" (embedded in wax)? β Can you argue for 3406? * Risk: If you ship a standalone cotton wick and claim 3406, Customs will likely reject it. The wick must be part of a "candle assembly" to qualify.
β 2. Documentation Checklist (Must-Haves)
| Document | Requirement | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed Product Spec | β | Must specify: "Cotton Woven," "Braided," or "Felt Filler." |
| Bill of Materials | β | Proves the wick is not a "finished candle" if claiming 3406. |
| Commercial Invoice | β | Must match HS Code exactly (e.g., "Oil Lamp Wicks, Textile" vs "Candle Parts"). |
| Origin Certificate (Form A/CO) | β | Confirms China origin (triggers the 25% + 10% tariffs). |
β 3. Declaration Strategy (Pro Tips)
π₯ Golden Rule: "Be Specific, Don't Gamble."
| Scenario | Recommended Declaration | Avoid This |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Textile Wick | "Oil Lamp Wick, 100% Cotton, Textile, HS 5908.00.00.00" | "Candle Part" (Risk of audit) |
| Braided Cotton Wick | "Braided Cotton Wick with Padding, HS 5601.21.00.90" | Generic "Textile Accessory" |
| Candle with Wick | "Scented Candle with Integrated Wick, HS 3406.00.00.00" | Selling wick separately then classifying as candle |
| Mixed Shipments | Split Shipment | Mixing 3406 and 5908 in one invoice |
π Section 5: Market Comparison & Optimization
| Market | Recommended HS Code | Est. Total Duty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 5908 / 5601 (38.4%+) | Very High | Section 301 + 122 tariffs are aggressive on textiles. |
| πΊπΈ USA | 3406 (17.5%) | Moderate | Only if the wick is part of a candle assembly. |
| πͺπΊ EU | Varies | Lower | EU generally does not have Section 301/122 equivalents, but has CE/RoHS rules. |
π Optimization Tip:
If your product is a textile wick, there is no way to avoid the 38%+ tax in the US unless you re-route through a third country (e.g., Vietnam) with sufficient processing to change origin rules (subject to strict "substantial transformation" checks).
π¨ Section 6: Common Pitfalls & Warnings
β Pitfall 1: Misclassification as "Candles"
π Consequence: If you ship loose textile wicks and declare them under 3406 to save taxes, Customs may issue a Penalty of 2x the unpaid duty + seizure of goods.
β Pitfall 2: Ignoring the "Felt" Factor
π Consequence: Wicks made of "Felt" (Non-woven) might fall under 5601.29.00.90 (39.0%) instead of 5908 (38.4%). The difference looks small (0.6%), but on large volumes, it adds up.
β Pitfall 3: Generic Descriptions
π Consequence: Using "Lamp Accessory" instead of "Textile Wick" triggers manual inspection by CBP officers.
β Best Practice:
Use precise language:
"Wick, Cotton, Braided, Textile, for Oil Lamps" β 5908.00.00.00
"Wick, Cotton, Filler, Felt, for Oil Lamps" β 5601.29.00.90
"Wick, Part of Candle Assembly" β 3406.00.00.00
π― Final Verdict: 2026 Action Plan
- Audit Your Product: Is it a standalone textile wick or part of a candle?
- Calculate Landed Cost: Assume 38.4% duty if textile; 17.5% if candle accessory.
- Prepare the Files: Ensure specs explicitly state "Cotton/Textile" vs "Candle Assembly."
- Contact Broker: Get a Binding Ruling (Advance Ruling) from US CBP if you are unsure about
5601vs5908.
π‘ Smart Tip:
If you are a manufacturer, consider bundling the wick into a complete oil lamp (which might have a different HS Code, e.g., 9405) if the lamp itself qualifies for a lower tariff rate. Sometimes, selling the "system" is cheaper than the "part."
π Ready to Ship?
Don't let 38% tariffs eat your margins. Classify correctly, document thoroughly, and clear with confidence!
π Consult your customs broker today for a Binding Ruling on your specific wick material.
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) 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.