Chapter 42 is the core chapter for leather goods in the HS classification system, covering articles of leather, saddlery and harness, travel goods, handbags, containers and similar articles, and articles of gut. This chapter is based on materials such as natural leather, composition leather, patent leather, laminated leather, and also includes certain articles of synthetic materials. Headings within the chapter are divided by use and type of goods, such as 4201 for saddlery and harness, 4202 for trunks, suitcases and containers, 4203 for apparel accessories, 4205 for other articles of leather, and 4206 for articles of gut. Heading 4202 covers a wide range, including trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper. First 2 digits 42: indicates Chapter 42, namely articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of gut (other than silkworm gut). Digits 3-4 02: indicates heading 4202, namely trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers. Digits 5-6 31: indicates subheading 4202.31, namely articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, with outer surface of leather or of composition leather. This subheading specifically includes wallets, purses, key cases, cigarette cases, etc. The goods are leather wallets, which are articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, and the outer surface material is leather or composition leather. According to HS classification rules, they should be classified under heading 4202, and then according to material and use under subheading 4202.31. If the wallet surface is of sheeting of plastics or textile materials, it should be classified under 4202.32 or 4202.33; if of other materials, under 4202.39. Therefore, leather wallets are correctly classified under 4202.31.
Chapter
Chapter 42 is the core chapter for leather goods in the HS classification system, covering articles of leather, saddlery and harness, travel goods, handbags, containers and similar articles, and articles of gut. This chapter is based on materials such as natural leather, composition leather, patent leather, laminated leather, and also includes certain articles of synthetic materials. Headings within the chapter are divided by use and type of goods, such as 4201 for saddlery and harness, 4202 for trunks, suitcases and containers, 4203 for apparel accessories, 4205 for other articles of leather, and 4206 for articles of gut.
Heading
Heading 4202 covers a wide range, including trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 42: indicates Chapter 42, namely articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of gut (other than silkworm gut). Digits 3-4 02: indicates heading 4202, namely trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers. Digits 5-6 31: indicates subheading 4202.31, namely articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, with outer surface of leather or of composition leather. This subheading specifically includes wallets, purses, key cases, cigarette cases, etc.
Classification Basis
The goods are leather wallets, which are articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, and the outer surface material is leather or composition leather. According to HS classification rules, they should be classified under heading 4202, and then according to material and use under subheading 4202.31. If the wallet surface is of sheeting of plastics or textile materials, it should be classified under 4202.32 or 4202.33; if of other materials, under 4202.39. Therefore, leather wallets are correctly classified under 4202.31.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: Declare the Chinese and foreign language name of the commodity, which should accurately reflect the attributes of the goods, such as 'leather wallet' or 'Leather wallet'. Material: Clearly state the outer surface material, such as 'cowhide leather', 'sheep leather' or 'composition leather', and indicate whether it is wholly or mainly made of leather. Brand: Declare the brand of the commodity (Chinese or foreign language); if no brand, fill in 'no brand'. Model: Declare the model or item number of the commodity; if no model, fill in 'no model'. Dimensions: Declare the length, width, height (or thickness) of the wallet, in centimeters. Packaging specifications: Declare the quantity per box and packaging method, such as '10 pieces/box, 100 boxes/carton'. Use: Declare the use of the commodity, such as 'daily carrying of coins and cards'. Product name: leather wallet (Leather wallet); Material: cowhide leather (surface 100% leather); Brand: ABC; Model: W123; Dimensions: 11cm×9cm×2cm; Packaging specifications: 1 piece/box, 50 boxes/carton; Use: daily carrying of coins and cards. Misreporting composition leather as natural leather, leading to subheading classification errors. Failure to declare brand or model, affecting customs intellectual property verification. Confusing wallets with handbags, incorrectly classified under 4202.21 or 4202.22.
Product name
Declare the Chinese and foreign language name of the commodity, which should accurately reflect the attributes of the goods, such as 'leather wallet' or 'Leather wallet'.
⚠️ Only writing 'wallet' without indicating the material, or mistakenly writing 'billfold', leading to classification disputes.
Material
Clearly state the outer surface material, such as 'cowhide leather', 'sheep leather' or 'composition leather', and indicate whether it is wholly or mainly made of leather.
⚠️ Misreporting artificial leather (PU) as leather, leading to classification errors.
Brand
Declare the brand of the commodity (Chinese or foreign language); if no brand, fill in 'no brand'.
⚠️ Brand inconsistent with the actual goods, or omission of brand leading to infringement risks.
Model
Declare the model or item number of the commodity; if no model, fill in 'no model'.
⚠️ Incomplete model filling or inconsistent with the actual goods.
Dimensions
Declare the length, width, height (or thickness) of the wallet, in centimeters.
⚠️ Incorrect dimension units or failure to declare, affecting customs review.
Packaging specifications
Declare the quantity per box and packaging method, such as '10 pieces/box, 100 boxes/carton'.
⚠️ Packaging specifications inconsistent with the actual goods, causing inspection abnormalities.
Use
Declare the use of the commodity, such as 'daily carrying of coins and cards'.
⚠️ Use description too general, such as 'personal use'.
Misreporting composition leather as natural leather, leading to subheading classification errors.
Failure to declare brand or model, affecting customs intellectual property verification.
Confusing wallets with handbags, incorrectly classified under 4202.21 or 4202.22.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core criteria for classification are: 1. Whether the outer surface material of the commodity is leather or composition leather; 2. Whether the commodity is an article of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag; 3. Whether the use of the commodity is for carrying coins, cards, etc. According to General Rules 1 and 6 for the interpretation of the HS, leather wallets should be classified under subheading 4202.31. If the surface is of sheeting of plastics or textile materials, they are classified under 4202.32 or 4202.33 respectively. 4202.32 Wallets of sheeting of plastics: The outer surface material is sheeting of plastics (such as PU, PVC), not leather or composition leather. Classification is based on the outer surface material; wallets of sheeting of plastics are classified under 4202.32. 4202.33 Wallets of textile materials: The outer surface material is textile materials (such as canvas, nylon), not leather. Wallets of textile materials are classified under 4202.33. 4202.39 Wallets of other materials: The outer surface material is vulcanised fibre, paperboard or other materials, and not leather, sheeting of plastics or textile materials. Such wallets are classified under 4202.39. 4202.21 Handbags of leather: Handbags usually have straps or handles and are used to carry more items, while wallets are pocket items. Their uses and sizes are different, and classification is different. 4205.00 Other articles of leather: 4205 applies to articles of leather not elsewhere specified or included, such as leather belts, leather watch straps, etc. Wallets are specifically named and are not classified under 4205. Confirm whether the outer surface material is leather or composition leather? Confirm whether the commodity is an article of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag? Confirm whether it has typical features of a wallet, purse, etc.? Confirm whether the brand and model are fully declared? Confirm whether the dimensions and packaging specifications are accurate?
Basis
The core criteria for classification are: 1. Whether the outer surface material of the commodity is leather or composition leather; 2. Whether the commodity is an article of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag; 3. Whether the use of the commodity is for carrying coins, cards, etc. According to General Rules 1 and 6 for the interpretation of the HS, leather wallets should be classified under subheading 4202.31. If the surface is of sheeting of plastics or textile materials, they are classified under 4202.32 or 4202.33 respectively.
Confused Codes:
4202.32 - Wallets of sheeting of plastics
The outer surface material is sheeting of plastics (such as PU, PVC), not leather or composition leather. Classification is based on the outer surface material; wallets of sheeting of plastics are classified under 4202.32.
4202.33 - Wallets of textile materials
The outer surface material is textile materials (such as canvas, nylon), not leather. Wallets of textile materials are classified under 4202.33.
4202.39 - Wallets of other materials
The outer surface material is vulcanised fibre, paperboard or other materials, and not leather, sheeting of plastics or textile materials. Such wallets are classified under 4202.39.
4202.21 - Handbags of leather
Handbags usually have straps or handles and are used to carry more items, while wallets are pocket items. Their uses and sizes are different, and classification is different.
4205.00 - Other articles of leather
4205 applies to articles of leather not elsewhere specified or included, such as leather belts, leather watch straps, etc. Wallets are specifically named and are not classified under 4205.
Self-Check:
✓ Confirm whether the outer surface material is leather or composition leather?
✓ Confirm whether the commodity is an article of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag?
✓ Confirm whether it has typical features of a wallet, purse, etc.?
✓ Confirm whether the brand and model are fully declared?
✓ Confirm whether the dimensions and packaging specifications are accurate?
❓ FAQ
How to query the HS code for leather wallets? First determine that the outer surface material of the commodity is leather or composition leather, then confirm that the commodity is an article of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, such as a wallet or purse. According to HS classification rules, it can be classified under 4202.31. It is recommended to use the 'Import and Export Tariff' issued by the General Administration of Customs or authoritative classification databases, and check the subheading notes. What is the difference in HS codes between leather wallets and plastic wallets? Leather wallets are classified under 4202.31, and plastic wallets under 4202.32. The difference lies in the outer surface material: leather or composition leather is classified under 4202.31, sheeting of plastics (such as PU, PVC) under 4202.32. When declaring, the material must be accurately described to avoid classification errors. Is the HS code of a wallet affected by the brand? HS classification is mainly based on the material, use and function of the commodity; brand does not affect the code. However, when declaring, the brand must be truthfully filled in for customs intellectual property verification. If the brand involves infringement, the goods may be detained. What are the declaration elements for leather wallets? The main declaration elements include: product name, material, brand, model, dimensions, packaging specifications, use. The material must clearly indicate whether it is natural leather or composition leather, and the use must state that it is for carrying coins, cards, etc. The declaration elements should be complete, accurate, and consistent with the actual goods. How to query the import tax rate for leather wallets? Import tax rates vary depending on the country, trade agreements, origin, etc. It is recommended to consult the latest 'Import and Export Tariff' issued by the General Administration of Customs or query through the 'Internet + Customs' platform. Also pay attention to free trade agreement rates, such as RCEP, China-ASEAN, etc., to determine the optimal rate. Do leather wallets require commodity inspection for export? Leather wallets are generally not subject to statutory commodity inspection, but must comply with the quality and safety standards of the exporting country. If the importing country has specific requirements (such as REACH, CPSIA), testing should be done in advance. It is recommended to consult the local customs or professional agencies to confirm whether inspection is required. How to distinguish the HS codes for wallets and handbags? A wallet usually refers to a small article carried in a pocket or handbag, used for carrying coins and cards, classified under 4202.31. A handbag has handles or straps and is used to carry more items, classified under 4202.21 (leather) or 4202.22 (plastics). The key to distinction is use and size. What are the consequences of classification errors? Classification errors may lead to customs review failure, inspection abnormalities, tax supplements, fines, and even affect the enterprise's credit rating. In serious cases, it may be suspected of smuggling. It is recommended that enterprises strengthen classification knowledge training or consult professional customs brokers to ensure accurate classification.
Q: How to query the HS code for leather wallets?
A: First determine that the outer surface material of the commodity is leather or composition leather, then confirm that the commodity is an article of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, such as a wallet or purse. According to HS classification rules, it can be classified under 4202.31. It is recommended to use the 'Import and Export Tariff' issued by the General Administration of Customs or authoritative classification databases, and check the subheading notes.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between leather wallets and plastic wallets?
A: Leather wallets are classified under 4202.31, and plastic wallets under 4202.32. The difference lies in the outer surface material: leather or composition leather is classified under 4202.31, sheeting of plastics (such as PU, PVC) under 4202.32. When declaring, the material must be accurately described to avoid classification errors.
Q: Is the HS code of a wallet affected by the brand?
A: HS classification is mainly based on the material, use and function of the commodity; brand does not affect the code. However, when declaring, the brand must be truthfully filled in for customs intellectual property verification. If the brand involves infringement, the goods may be detained.
Q: What are the declaration elements for leather wallets?
A: The main declaration elements include: product name, material, brand, model, dimensions, packaging specifications, use. The material must clearly indicate whether it is natural leather or composition leather, and the use must state that it is for carrying coins, cards, etc. The declaration elements should be complete, accurate, and consistent with the actual goods.
Q: How to query the import tax rate for leather wallets?
A: Import tax rates vary depending on the country, trade agreements, origin, etc. It is recommended to consult the latest 'Import and Export Tariff' issued by the General Administration of Customs or query through the 'Internet + Customs' platform. Also pay attention to free trade agreement rates, such as RCEP, China-ASEAN, etc., to determine the optimal rate.
Q: Do leather wallets require commodity inspection for export?
A: Leather wallets are generally not subject to statutory commodity inspection, but must comply with the quality and safety standards of the exporting country. If the importing country has specific requirements (such as REACH, CPSIA), testing should be done in advance. It is recommended to consult the local customs or professional agencies to confirm whether inspection is required.
Q: How to distinguish the HS codes for wallets and handbags?
A: A wallet usually refers to a small article carried in a pocket or handbag, used for carrying coins and cards, classified under 4202.31. A handbag has handles or straps and is used to carry more items, classified under 4202.21 (leather) or 4202.22 (plastics). The key to distinction is use and size.
Q: What are the consequences of classification errors?
A: Classification errors may lead to customs review failure, inspection abnormalities, tax supplements, fines, and even affect the enterprise's credit rating. In serious cases, it may be suspected of smuggling. It is recommended that enterprises strengthen classification knowledge training or consult professional customs brokers to ensure accurate classification.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.