Snowflake Ornament
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9505102500 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926400010 | 15.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3926400090 | 15.3% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 7018905000 | 41.6% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 7018105000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
βοΈ Snowflake Ornament (Christmas Decorations)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Strategic Import Strategy for USA
π 1. Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly is a "Snowflake Ornament"?
Snowflake ornaments are decorative items primarily used during the Christmas season to adorn trees, windows, or indoor spaces. In international trade, their classification depends heavily on two factors: 1. Material: Plastic, Glass, Metal, or other materials. 2. Specific Seasonal Nature: Whether they fall under specific "Christmas decorations" or general "decorative articles."
β οΈ Key Distinction:
- If the item is explicitly for Christmas and made of plastic/metal β It may qualify for the specific 9505 heading (Christmas decorations).
- If it is a general decorative plastic figure or glass piece not specifically identified as Christmas-only β It may fall under general plastic (3926) or glass (7018) headings.
- Customs often scrutinizes whether the item is primarily a Christmas decoration or a general decorative item. Misclassification can lead to significant tariff differences due to Section 301 and 122 tariffs.
π¦ 2. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority)
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Scenario | Material/Type |
|---|---|---|---|
9505.10.25.00 |
Christmas decorations, made of plastic or metal | Specifically marketed/used as Christmas tree ornaments or holiday decor | Plastic/Metal |
3926.40.00.10 |
Plastic articles, decorative (e.g., arches, bows, snowflakes not specifically Christmas) | General decorative plastic items, "other" decorative plastics | Plastic |
3926.40.00.90 |
Statues and other ornamental articles of plastic (fallback category) | Plastic decorative items not covered elsewhere, general ornaments | Plastic |
7018.90.50.00 |
Other small glass articles, for decoration | Glass snowflakes, glass ornaments, decorative glass pieces | Glass |
7018.10.50.00 |
Glass smallwares and similar glass articles | Glass or plastic decorative smallwares, general decorative glass/plastic | Glass/Plastic |
π Key Reminder:
-9505.10.25.00is the most favorable for dedicated Christmas decorations, but it still incurs the 10% Section 122 Tariff.
-3926.40.00.10/90and7018.90.50.00are broader categories. They incur Higher Total Tariffs because they attract both USITC Additional Duties (25%) + Section 122 (10%).
- Glass items (7018) face the highest tax burden (up to 41.6%) due to the 25% USITC duty + 10% Section 122 + 6.6% base duty.
π° 3. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Additional Taxes & Policy Surcharges)
β Applicable Country: USA (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (and subsequent imports)
π― 1. 9505.10.25.00 β Christmas Decorations (Plastic/Metal)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0% (Ad Valorem) |
| Section 122 Tariff | +10% (For China-origin products) |
| Total Tariff Rate | 10.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 10% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No (Section 122 tariffs are not eligible for de minimis exemption under current rules) |
| Legal Basis Path | Section 122: 10% β HS: 9505.10.25.00 |
π Explanation:
- This is the lowest tax bracket among the provided options.
- The 10% tariff is specific to "Section 122" (often referred to as the "Section 301 Tariff" or "China Tariff" in common parlance, though technically Section 122 refers to specific USITC duties).
- No additional 25% USITC duty applies to this specific subheading for Christmas decorations.
π― 2. 3926.40.00.10 & 3926.40.00.90 β Plastic Decorative Articles
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 5.3% |
| Section 122 Tariff | +10% |
| USITC Additional Duty | 0% (Note: Data shows 0% for this specific subheading in the provided data, but check latest USITC updates) |
| Total Tariff Rate | 15.3% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 15.3% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Basis Path | Section 122: 10% β HS: 3926.40.00 β USITC: 5.3% |
π Note:
- Even though these are plastic, they do not get the 0% base duty like9505.
- The 10% Section 122 tariff still applies.
- Total 15.3% is higher than9505(10%).
π― 3. 7018.90.50.00 β Other Small Glass Articles
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 6.6% |
| USITC Additional Duty | +25% |
| Section 122 Tariff | +10% |
| Total Tariff Rate | 41.6% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 41.6% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Basis Path | Section 122: 10% β USITC: 25% β HS: 7018.90.50.00 β Base: 6.6% |
π Warning:
- This is the highest tax bracket.
- Glass ornaments face all three layers of tax: Base (6.6%) + USITC (25%) + Section 122 (10%).
- 41.6% is extremely high for low-margin decorative goods.
π― 4. 7018.10.50.00 β Glass Smallwares (Glass or Plastic)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0% |
| USITC Additional Duty | +25% |
| Section 122 Tariff | +10% |
| Total Tariff Rate | 35.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 35.0% |
| De Minimis Exemption? | β No |
| Legal Basis Path | Section 122: 10% β USITC: 25% β HS: 7018.10.50.00 β Base: 0% |
π Note:
- While the base duty is 0%, the 25% USITC and 10% Section 122 still apply.
- 35.0% is still significantly higher than the 10% for9505.
π οΈ 4. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Real-World Pitfall Guide)
β 1. Essential Documentation Checklist (Non-Negotiable)
| Document | Required | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Photos | βοΈ | Clear images of the snowflake ornament, showing material (plastic/glass) and any Christmas-specific branding. |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Must explicitly state "Christmas Decoration" and material. Avoid vague terms like "Plastic Figure." |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Detail contents: Quantity, Weight, Dimensions. |
| β Material Declaration | βοΈ | Specify if the item is Plastic, Glass, or Metal. This is critical for HS code selection. |
| β Country of Origin Certificate | βοΈ | Required for Section 122 tariff application. |
β 2. Declaration Strategy (Key Mnemonics)
π₯ "Specify Christmas, Specify Material, Avoid Glass, Minimize Tax!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Wrong Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Snowflake Ornament | 9505.10.25.00 (Christmas Decoration) |
3926.40.00.10 (Plastic Article) β 15.3% vs 10% |
| Glass Snowflake Ornament | 7018.90.50.00 (Glass Decor) |
No low-tariff option for glass β 41.6% |
| General Plastic Decor (Not Christmas) | 3926.40.00.90 |
9505.10.25.00 β Customs Rejection (if not Christmas) |
| Mixed Material Ornament | 9505.10.25.00 (if plastic/metal dominant) |
Split declaration β Complex & Risky |
β 3. Special Cases & Handling
| Scenario | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| Plastic Snowflakes | Strongly recommend classifying under 9505.10.25.00. Ensure invoices clearly state "Christmas Decoration" to avoid being misclassified as 3926. |
| Glass Snowflakes | No low-tariff option. Consider switching to plastic versions if exporting to the US to save ~30% in taxes. |
| Metal Snowflakes | If made of metal, check if they fit 9505.10.25.00 (which includes "metal"). If not, they may fall under other metal decorative categories with different tariffs. |
| OEM/Custom Designs | Provide design proofs showing Christmas theme to support 9505 classification. |
| De Minimis (Section 321) | β Not Applicable. Section 122 tariffs are not exempted under the $800 de minimis rule for China-origin goods. |
π 5. Global Market Customs Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 9505.10.25.00 |
10.0% | Best for plastic/metal Christmas decor. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 9505.00.90 |
0% - 2.7% | No US-style Section 122 tariffs. |
| π¨π³ China | 9505.10.00 |
0% | Import duty 0%, but VAT applies. |
| π¬π§ UK | 9505.00.90 |
0% | Post-Brexit, no Section 122 equivalent. |
| π¨π¦ Canada | 9505.10.00 |
0% | No additional tariffs. |
π Conclusion:
- USA is the most challenging market for Chinese-origin Christmas decorations due to the 10% Section 122 tariff.
- Plastic/Metal items should always be declared as9505to minimize taxes.
- Glass items are not recommended for US import if cost is a primary concern, due to the 41.6% total tariff.
π 6. Common Mistakes & Pitfall Guide (Lessons Learned)
β Mistake 1: Declaring plastic snowflakes as 3926.40.00.10 (Plastic Articles)
π Consequence: Pay 15.3% instead of 10%. Overpayment of 5.3%!
β Mistake 2: Not specifying "Christmas" in the invoice
π Consequence: Customs may reject 9505 classification and reclassify to 3926 or 6307. Delays + Higher Tax!
β Mistake 3: Assuming de minimis ($800) exemption applies
π Consequence: Section 122 tariffs still apply to China-origin goods under $800. No savings!
β Mistake 4: Using glass snowflakes without checking tariffs
π Consequence: Pay 41.6% tax. Profit margin erased!
β Correct Practice:
"Plastic Snowflake Ornament, Christmas Decoration, 20cm, Model XYZ, Origin: China, HS Code: 9505.10.25.00"
π― 7. Conclusion: Precise Classification Saves Money!
π― Remember the Mnemonic:
πΉ "Christmas = 9505 = 10% (Plastic/Metal)"
πΉ "Plastic Decor (Non-Christmas) = 3926 = 15.3%"
πΉ "Glass Decor = 7018 = 35%-41.6%"
πΉ "No De Minimis for China Section 122!"
π Pro Tip:
If you are importing large volumes of snowflake ornaments:
1. Switch to Plastic/Metal to stay under the 10% tariff bracket.
2. Avoid Glass unless you can absorb the 41.6% cost.
3. Ensure Invoice Explicitly Says "Christmas Decoration" to secure9505classification.
4. Consult a Customs Broker for advance ruling if your product is on the borderline.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Contact your customs broker + Provide product photos + Confirm "Christmas" designation in invoice
π Minimize taxes, maximize profit, clear customs smoothly!
β¨ Professional Customs Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
πΌ Every percentage point of tax is your bottom line!
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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.