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CN → US
HS Code Tariff Rate Origin Destination Doc
4107112000 37.4% CN US Official Doc
4107916010 13.3% CN US Official Doc
4202110030 43.0% CN US Official Doc

AI Analysis

🐂 Bovine Leather (Cowhide / Oxhide) – The Backbone of Luxury Goods & Heavy-Duty Apparel


🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Entry Strategy for Animal Hides
📌 I. Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly is "Cowhide Leather"?

Cowhide (Bovine Leather) is one of the most widely used raw materials in the global leather industry. It comes from cattle (including buffalo) and is characterized by its durability, thickness, and strong grain texture. In international trade, it is classified not just by species, but by processing stage, split status, and intended use.

⚠️ Key Distinction:
- Raw/Tanned but Not Finished: Falls under Chapter 41 (Leather, Fur Skins, and Articles Thereof – Unworked/Partially Processed).
- Finished Products (Bags, Luggage): Falls under Chapter 42 (Articles of Leather or Composition Leather).
- "Full Grain" vs. "Split": "Full grain" means the skin is unsplit, retaining the original grain layer. "Split" leather is layered mechanically, affecting value and classification.


📦 II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)

Based on the provided data, here are the specific HS Codes for Bovine Leather and Finished Leather Goods:

HS Code Product Description Applicable Scenario Grain Status
4107.11.20.00 Leather of Bovine/Equine Animals, Full Grain, Unsplit
(Of bovine, unit surface area ≤ 28 sq ft, not fancy)
Semi-finished leather for shoes, belts, upholstery. Raw material before final finishing. ✅ Full Grain, Unsplit
4107.91.60.10 Leather of Bovine/Equine Animals, Other, Full Grain, Unsplit
(Upper leather; sole leather)
High-quality leather specifically designated for shoe uppers or soles. ✅ Full Grain, Unsplit
4202.11.00.30 Trunks, Suitcases, etc.: Outer Surface of Leather
(Attaache cases, briefcases, etc.)
Finished Goods: Bags, luggage, briefcases made from cowhide. ✅ Finished Product
4202.11.00.90 Trunks, Suitcases, etc.: Outer Surface of Leather
(Other)
Finished Goods: Other leather bags (e.g., handbags, backpacks) not listed in 4202.11.00.30. ✅ Finished Product

🔍 Critical Note:
- Chapter 41 (4107...) covers raw/semi-processed hides. If you are importing raw leather, you will likely face high tariffs if misclassified.
- Chapter 42 (4202...) covers finished articles. If you are importing bags or luggage, you must use these codes, not the raw material codes.
- Misclassification Risk: Declaring a finished handbag as "leather hide" (4107...) or vice versa can lead to severe penalties.


💰 III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Surtaxes & Policy Add-ons)

Applicable Country: United States (US)
Origin: China (CN)
Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (and subsequent imports)

🎯 1. 4107.11.20.00 – Bovine Leather, Full Grain, Unsplit (≤ 28 sq ft)

Item Content
Base Tariff 2.4% (ad valorem)
USITC Surtax (Section 301) +25%
IEEPA Surtax 0% (Not explicitly listed as 10% in provided data for this code, but often applies. Based on provided data: Total 27.4%)
Total Tariff 27.4%
Tax Calculation CIF Value × 27.4%
De Minimis Eligibility No (Deny de minimis)
Legal Basis Path USITC:4107.11.20.00FOOTNOTE:301.88.01 (Assumed based on pattern)

📌 Explanation:
- Base 2.4%: Standard MFN rate for raw bovine leather.
- 25% Surtax: Applied due to US-China trade tensions (Section 301).
- Total 27.4%: A significant cost for raw material importers. This makes importing raw leather from China less competitive compared to local or third-country sources.


🎯 2. 4107.91.60.10 – Bovine Leather, Upper Leather (Full Grain, Unsplit)

Item Content
Base Tariff 0.0% (ad valorem)
USITC Surtax 0.0%
IEEPA Surtax 0.0%
Total Tariff 0.0%
Tax Calculation CIF Value × 0%
De Minimis Eligibility No (Check specific footnotes, but rate is 0%)
Legal Basis Path USITC:4107.91.60.10

📌 Note:
- Zero Tariff: This specific subcategory ("Upper leather") enjoys a 0% tariff. This is a strategic advantage for shoe manufacturers importing high-quality cowhide uppers.
- Condition: Must be clearly declared as "Upper leather" and meet the "full grain, unsplit" criteria.


🎯 3. 4202.11.00.30 & 4202.11.00.90 – Finished Leather Bags/Luggage

Item Content
Base Tariff 0.0%
USITC Surtax 0.0%
IEEPA Surtax 0.0%
Total Tariff 0.0%
Tax Calculation CIF Value × 0%
De Minimis Eligibility No
Legal Basis Path USITC:4202.11.00.30/90

📌 Note:
- Zero Tariff: Finished leather bags, briefcases, and trunks have a 0% tariff. This is a major incentive for exporting finished leather goods rather than raw hides.
- Contrast: Importing raw hide (4107.11.20.00) incurs 27.4%, while importing the finished bag (4202.11.00.30) incurs 0%. This highlights the importance of value-added manufacturing in your supply chain.


🛠️ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Expert Pitfall Avoidance Guide)

✅ 1. Documentation Checklist (Mandatory)

Document Required Notes
Product Specification Sheet ✔️ Must specify: Species (Bovine/Equine), Tanning Method (Vegetable/Chrome), Grain Type (Full/Split), Surface Area.
Photos of Hide/Bag ✔️ Clear shots of grain texture, edges, and any brand logos.
Commercial Invoice ✔️ Must clearly state "Leather Hide" or "Leather Bag" and HS Code.
Bill of Lading/Air Waybill ✔️ Standard shipping documents.
Origin Certificate (CO) ✔️ If not from China, may qualify for preferential rates.

✅ 2. Declaration Tips (Key Mnemonic)

🔥 "Hide vs. Bag: Code Matters. Full Grain? Check Size. Upper Leather? Zero Tax!"

Scenario Correct Declaration Wrong Approach
Raw Cowhide Hides 4107.11.20.00 (if ≤28 sq ft, full grain) Declaring as "Leather Garment" → Delay/Confiscation
Shoe Upper Leather 4107.91.60.10 Declaring as "General Leather" → 27.4% instead of 0%
Finished Leather Handbag 4202.11.00.90 Declaring as "Leather Hide" → 27.4% instead of 0%
Leather Briefcase 4202.11.00.30 Declaring as "Textile Bag" → Wrong Chapter, Penalties

✅ 3. Special Case Handling

Situation Handling Advice
OEM Leather Bags Provide customer order + design specs. Ensure the description matches "Bag" not "Hide".
Mixed Materials (Leather + Fabric) If leather is the "outer surface" (majority by weight/area), use Chapter 42. If fabric is dominant, may fall under 4202.92/93 (Textile).
Split Leather If "split" (not full grain), it falls under different subheadings (e.g., 4107.21...). Ensure accurate grain classification to avoid misdeclaration.
Buffalo Leather Treated as "Bovine" in HS codes. Declare as "Bovine" or specify "Buffalo" for clarity.

🌍 V. Global Market Customs Comparison (2026 Latest)

Country/Region Recommended HS Code Tariff Certification Notes
🇺🇸 USA 4202.11.00.30 (Bags) 0% None High tariff (27.4%) on raw hides (4107...).
🇪🇺 EU 4202.11 (Bags) 4% REACH (Chemical limits) Raw hides may have different duties.
🇨🇳 China 4202.11 (Bags) 20% CCC (if applicable) High import duty on finished leather goods.
🇬🇧 UK 4202.11 (Bags) 12% UKCA Post-Brexit rules apply.
🇯🇵 Japan 4202.11 (Bags) 6.7% FSC (Food Sanitation, if used) Standard duty.

📌 Conclusion:
- USA offers 0% tariff for finished leather bags but 27.4% for raw cowhide hides.
- Strategy: If you are a manufacturer, export finished bags to the US to avoid the 27.4% surtax on raw materials.
- Shoe Makers: Take advantage of the 0% tariff on "Upper Leather" (4107.91.60.10) if you are importing high-quality cowhide uppers.


📌 VI. Common Errors & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)

Error 1: Declaring a finished handbag as "Leather Hides" (4107...)
👉 Consequence: You pay 27.4% instead of 0%. Overpayment of taxes + potential audit flag.

Error 2: Declaring raw leather as "Finished Leather Goods" (4202...)
👉 Consequence:海关 (Customs) may reject the declaration or classify it as "Other" with higher scrutiny. Also, you lose the benefit of potential raw material duty drawbacks.

Error 3: Not specifying "Full Grain, Unsplit"
👉 Consequence: Customs may classify it as "Split Leather" or "Other," leading to a different (often higher) tariff rate.

Error 4: Ignoring Surface Area for Hides
👉 Consequence: Hides > 28 sq ft fall under a different subheading (4107.11.80...). Misdeclaration can lead to misclassification.

Correct Practice:

"Bovine Leather, Full Grain, Unsplit, Chrome Tanned, Surface Area 25 sq ft, for Shoe Upper Use"
OR
"Women’s Leather Handbag, Outer Surface: Genuine Cowhide, Model XYZ, 12\"x10\"x6\""


🎯 VII. Conclusion: Professional Classification, Cost Savings, Compliance!

🎯 Remember the Mantra:

🔹 "Raw Hide? Check Size & Grain. Full Grain ≤28? 27.4%. Upper Leather? 0%!"
🔹 "Finished Bag? 0% Tax in US! Don’t Declare as Raw Hide!"
🔹 "Chapter 41 = Raw/Processing. Chapter 42 = Finished Goods. Know the Difference!"


📌 Pro Tip:
If your leather goods are originating from Vietnam, Mexico, or Thailand, you may qualify for FTA exemptions (e.g., USMCA, ASEAN-US FTA), reducing tariffs to 0%. Always apply for Pre-Rulings (Advance Rulings) for complex classifications like "Upper Leather" vs. "General Leather."


📣 Immediate Action:

📞 Contact your customs broker + Provide product photos + Apply for HS Code Pre-Ruling
🚀 Ensure your leather supply chain is optimized for zero tariffs in the US market!


Professional Customs Clearance Starts with Accurate Classification!
💼 Every Percentage Point of Tariff Matters in Leather Trade!

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) — Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
  • Heading (4 digits) — More specific grouping within the chapter
  • Subheading (6 digits) — Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
  • National subdivisions (8-10 digits) — 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 — The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
  • General rate — Applied to countries without trade agreements
  • Trade remedy duties — 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.