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Pacifier

CN β†’ US
HS Code Tariff Rate Origin Destination Doc
4014901000 10.0% CN US Official Doc
4014905000 14.2% CN US Official Doc
9018390050 10.0% CN US Official Doc
3926901600 20.6% CN US Official Doc
3926909989 22.8% CN US Official Doc

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AI Analysis

🍼 Pacifier (Silicon Teether / Soother)


🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Tariff Analysis | Strategic Entry for Medical & Baby Products
πŸ“Œ 1. Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly is a "Pacifier"?

A pacifier (also known as a soother, dummy, or teether) is a baby product designed to satisfy the sucking reflex and provide comfort or oral stimulation. It typically consists of a shield (to prevent deep insertion), a nipple (the part inserted into the mouth), and a handle or ring.

In international trade, classification depends heavily on: 1. Material: Is it Silicone (elastomer/rubber) or Plastic (polymer)? 2. Function: Is it purely for hygiene/comfort or strictly for medical/therapeutic use? 3. Composition: Does it fall under Rubber, Plastic, or Medical Devices?

⚠️ Critical Distinction:
- Silicone Rubber (Vulcanized): Often classified under Chapter 40. - Plastic/Polymer (Non-vulcanized): Often classified under Chapter 39. - Medical/Infant Care Device: May qualify for Chapter 90 (Medical instruments). - 122 Tariff Clauses: All classifications below are subject to specific US "122" clause tariffs (Section 301/IEEPA) targeting Chinese imports.


πŸ“¦ 2. Detailed HS Code Breakdown (2026 Tariff Reference)

Based on the provided data, here are the 5 specific HS Codes for Silicone Pacifiers, including tax breakdowns and logic for classification.

HS Code Product Description & Classification Logic Material Category Total Tax Rate
4014.90.10.00 Silicone Pacifier (Hygiene/Comfort)
β€’ Purpose: Nipple/Soothing.
β€’ Material: Silicone (Vulcanized Rubber/Elastomer).
β€’ Attribute: Fits "Hygiene Products" category.
Vulcanized Rubber 10.0%
4014.90.50.00 Silicone Pacifier (Medical/Hygiene)
β€’ Purpose: Hygiene or Medical Use.
β€’ Material: Silicone falls under "Vulcanized Rubber".
β€’ Attribute: Specialized hygienic/medical grade.
Vulcanized Rubber 14.2%
9018.39.00.50 Silicone Pacifier (Medical/Infant Care)
β€’ Purpose: Medical/Infant Care Instrument.
β€’ Material: Silicone fits "Other Medical Instruments".
β€’ Attribute: Classified as a specialized medical device for infants.
Medical Instrument 10.0%
3926.90.16.00 Silicone Pacifier (Plastic/Hybrid)
β€’ Purpose: General Baby Use.
β€’ Material: Silicone treated as Plastic/Polymer.
β€’ Attribute: Classified under "Other Plastic Articles".
Plastic/Polymer 20.6%
3926.90.99.89 Silicone Pacifier (General Plastic)
β€’ Material: Silicone (Plastic/Hybrid).
β€’ Form: Finished Article.
β€’ Attribute: "Other" plastic articles not specified elsewhere.
Plastic/Polymer 22.8%

πŸ” Key Insight:
- Rubber vs. Plastic: The most critical decision point. If the silicone is vulcanized (chemically cross-linked like rubber), it belongs in Chapter 40 (Lower tax: 10-14.2%). If treated as a polymer/plastic, it falls in Chapter 39 (Higher tax: 20.6-22.8%). - Medical Claim: Classifying under 9018.39.00.50 (Medical) requires strong documentation proving it is a therapeutic/medical device, not just a comfort toy.


πŸ’° 3. 2026 Tariff Rate Deep Dive (US Market Analysis)

βœ… Target Market: United States (US)
βœ… Origin: China (CN)
βœ… Applicable Clauses: Base Tariff + "122" Clause Tariffs (Section 301/IEEPA)

🎯 A. Rubber-Based Classifications (Lower Cost)

1. 4014.90.10.00 – Hygiene/Nipple Products

Item Detail
Base Tariff 0.0%
Section 301 / Add-on 0.0%
"122" Clause Tariff 10.0%
Total Duty 10.0%
Legal Basis Specific "122" clause application for rubber hygiene items.

πŸ“Œ Why?
This is the cheapest option if the product is certified as "Vulcanized Rubber." The 122 clause imposes a flat 10% on this category, but no additional Section 301 surcharges apply beyond this.

2. 4014.90.50.00 – Medical/Hygiene Rubber

Item Detail
Base Tariff 4.2%
Section 301 / Add-on 0.0%
"122" Clause Tariff 10.0%
Total Duty 14.2%
Legal Basis Higher base tariff for specialized medical/hygiene rubber goods.

πŸ“Œ Why?
Slightly more expensive due to a 4.2% base duty, but still cheaper than plastic classifications.


🎯 B. Plastic-Based Classifications (Higher Cost)

3. 3926.90.16.00 – Plastic/Polymer Articles

Item Detail
Base Tariff 3.1%
Section 301 Add-on 7.5%
"122" Clause Tariff 10.0%
Total Duty 20.6%
Legal Basis Aggressive stacking: Base + 301 + 122.

πŸ“Œ Why?
High Cost Alert! The US imposes a 7.5% Section 301 surcharge on plastic goods from China, in addition to the 122 clause. This pushes the total to 20.6%.

4. 3926.90.99.89 – Other Plastic Articles

Item Detail
Base Tariff 5.3%
Section 301 Add-on 7.5%
"122" Clause Tariff 10.0%
Total Duty 22.8%
Legal Basis "Other" plastic category attracts the highest base tariff.

πŸ“Œ Why?
The worst-case scenario (22.8%). Use this only if the product cannot be proven as rubber or medical device.


πŸ› οΈ 4. Strategic Customs Clearance Advice

βœ… 1. Documentation Checklist (Must-Have)

To avoid reclassification by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you must provide:

Document Purpose Critical Note
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Proves material composition. Must explicitly state "Vulcanized Silicone" vs. "Thermoplastic Silicone".
Technical Specification Defines function. If claiming 9018 (Medical), include a statement of "Therapeutic/Infant Care Device" usage.
Product Photos Visual proof. Show the texture (rubber-like) vs. hard plastic.
Declaration of Origin Confirms Country of Origin. Crucial for applying 122 vs. 301 tariffs.
FSC/CE/RoHS Certs Compliance proof. Required for baby products to enter US/EU markets safely.

βœ… 2. Classification Strategy (The "Golden Rule")

πŸš€ Strategy: "Rubber First, Medical Second, Plastic Last"

Priority HS Code Action
πŸ₯‡ #1 (Best) 4014.90.10.00 Target this. Declare as "Silicone Rubber (Vulcanized)" + "Hygiene Product". Lowest Risk & Cost (10%).
πŸ₯ˆ #2 (Alternative) 9018.39.00.50 Target this if Medical. Declare as "Infant Medical Care Instrument". Cost (10%), but requires stricter docs.
πŸ₯‰ #3 (Avoid) 3926.90.16.00 / 99.89 Avoid if possible. Only use if material is confirmed non-vulcanized plastic. Costly (20.6%+).

⚠️ Warning:
- Do NOT declare "Plastic Pacifier" if the material is silicone rubber. CBP will reclassify it to Chapter 40 (if they agree) or Chapter 39 with penalties. - Vulcanization is the key keyword. If your manufacturer certifies the silicone is vulcanized, you are eligible for Chapter 40 (10-14.2% tax).

βœ… 3. Common Pitfalls & Solutions

❌ Pitfall βœ… Solution
Calling it "Plastic" in specs Change all specs to "Silicone Elastomer (Vulcanized Rubber)".
No medical claim for 9018 Stick to 4014.90.10.00 (Hygiene) unless you have a medical license/clearance.
Missing "122" Clause info Always include the 122 Clause reference in your HS Code declaration to ensure correct tax calculation.
Splitting Shipments Do not split "Pacifier + Case" into different HS codes. Declare as a set.

🌍 5. Global Market Snapshot (2026)

Country Recommended HS Code Tariff Rate (China Origin) Key Requirement
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA 4014.90.10.00 10.0% 122 Clause applies; Material must be Rubber.
πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί EU 4014.90.10.00 ~2-3% CE Marking + EN 14004 (Safety).
πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan 4014.90.10.00 ~3.5% JIS Safety Standards.
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada 4014.90.10.00 ~12% Health Canada Approval (Medical claim).

πŸ“Œ Conclusion:
For US Imports, the 4014.90.10.00 code is the sweet spot at 10% total tax.
Avoid 3926 codes unless you have no choice, as they carry a 20%+ tax burden due to Section 301 and 122 stacking.


πŸ“Œ 6. Final Takeaway: Save Money, Clear Faster

🎯 Rule of Thumb:
"Silicone = Rubber (10%) > Medical (10%) > Plastic (22%)"

βœ… Action Plan: 1. Confirm Material: Ask your supplier for a Vulcanization Certificate. 2. Declare Correctly: Use 4014.90.10.00 for standard hygiene pacifiers. 3. Include Clauses: Explicitly state "122 Clause" in your commercial invoice and packing list. 4. Audit Prep: Have your MSDS ready for CBP inspection.


✨ Pro Tip:

"A small change in your material description (Plastic β†’ Vulcanized Rubber) can save you 12.8% in taxes! Don't let a bad classification cost you your profit margin."


πŸ’Ό Yourι€šε…³ (Customs Clearance) Success Starts with the Right HS Code!
πŸš€ Get your silicone pacifiers classified correctly and ship with confidence.

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.