Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including tubes, profiles, wire, plates and other semi-finished and finished products, but does not include specific machines, mechanical appliances or vehicles of iron or steel (these fall under Chapter 84, Chapter 87, etc.). This chapter ranges from primary articles of iron or steel to various daily iron or steel articles, such as nails, needles, springs, chains, etc. Sewing needles, as small tools made of iron or steel, fall within the scope of finished products of this chapter. Heading 7319 covers sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, embroidery needles and similar hand needles of iron or steel, as well as pins, safety pins, etc. This heading includes needle products of various materials (iron or steel) and uses, but does not include machine needles (such as sewing machine needles classified under 8452) or medical needles (such as injection needles classified under 9018). This heading mainly targets needles for hand sewing, knitting and other purposes. Code 731910 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits "73" represent Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel), indicating the product material is iron or steel. The 3rd-4th digits "19" represent heading 7319, i.e., sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, embroidery needles and similar articles of iron or steel. The 5th-6th digits "10" represent subheading 731910, specifically referring to sewing needles. Therefore, 731910 specifically refers to hand sewing needles of iron or steel, excluding other types of needles (such as knitting needles under 731920, other needles under 731930, etc.). This product is a hand sewing needle made of iron or steel, which conforms to the description of heading 7319, and subheading 731910 explicitly lists "sewing needles". It should not be classified under 731920 (knitting needles) or 731930 (other needles), nor under 8205 (hand tools) or 8452 (sewing machines and their needles). Therefore, 731910 is the most precise classification.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including tubes, profiles, wire, plates and other semi-finished and finished products, but does not include specific machines, mechanical appliances or vehicles of iron or steel (these fall under Chapter 84, Chapter 87, etc.). This chapter ranges from primary articles of iron or steel to various daily iron or steel articles, such as nails, needles, springs, chains, etc. Sewing needles, as small tools made of iron or steel, fall within the scope of finished products of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 7319 covers sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, embroidery needles and similar hand needles of iron or steel, as well as pins, safety pins, etc. This heading includes needle products of various materials (iron or steel) and uses, but does not include machine needles (such as sewing machine needles classified under 8452) or medical needles (such as injection needles classified under 9018). This heading mainly targets needles for hand sewing, knitting and other purposes.
Digit Breakdown
Code 731910 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits "73" represent Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel), indicating the product material is iron or steel. The 3rd-4th digits "19" represent heading 7319, i.e., sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, embroidery needles and similar articles of iron or steel. The 5th-6th digits "10" represent subheading 731910, specifically referring to sewing needles. Therefore, 731910 specifically refers to hand sewing needles of iron or steel, excluding other types of needles (such as knitting needles under 731920, other needles under 731930, etc.).
Classification Basis
This product is a hand sewing needle made of iron or steel, which conforms to the description of heading 7319, and subheading 731910 explicitly lists "sewing needles". It should not be classified under 731920 (knitting needles) or 731930 (other needles), nor under 8205 (hand tools) or 8452 (sewing machines and their needles). Therefore, 731910 is the most precise classification.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared product should be accurately described as "sewing needle" or "hand sewing needle", avoiding the general term "needle". Material: Declare the material of the needle, usually iron or steel, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, etc., and specify the exact material. Use: Explain the use of the needle, such as hand sewing, embroidery, etc., to distinguish it from industrial needles. Brand: Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, declare as "no brand". Model: Declare the model or specifications of the product, such as needle size, thickness, etc. Packaging Specifications: Declare the packaging method, such as how many pieces per box, to facilitate customs statistics and inspection. Origin: Declare the country (region) of origin of the goods, used to determine applicable tariffs and trade policies. Product Name: Hand sewing needle; Material: Stainless steel; Use: Hand sewing; Brand: No brand; Model: Length 3.5cm, diameter 0.8mm; Packaging Specifications: 50 pieces per box, 200 boxes per carton; Origin: China. Confusing sewing needles with sewing machine needles, the latter should be classified under 8452. Material declaration is unclear, without specifying iron or steel, which may affect classification. Declaring the use as "industrial" may lead to classification under other headings.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared product should be accurately described as "sewing needle" or "hand sewing needle", avoiding the general term "needle".
⚠️ Incorrectly declared as "knitting needle" or "sewing machine needle", leading to classification errors.
Material
Declare the material of the needle, usually iron or steel, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, etc., and specify the exact material.
⚠️ Only declaring "metal" or "iron" without specifying the type of iron or steel.
Use
Explain the use of the needle, such as hand sewing, embroidery, etc., to distinguish it from industrial needles.
⚠️ Failing to declare the use, which may lead to misclassification as an industrial needle.
Brand
Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, declare as "no brand".
Declare the model or specifications of the product, such as needle size, thickness, etc.
⚠️ Vague model declaration, such as "multiple specifications" without specific listing.
Packaging Specifications
Declare the packaging method, such as how many pieces per box, to facilitate customs statistics and inspection.
⚠️ Insufficient packaging specification declaration, such as "bulk" without specifying the exact quantity.
Origin
Declare the country (region) of origin of the goods, used to determine applicable tariffs and trade policies.
⚠️ Incorrect origin declaration, such as mistakenly reporting the processing location as the origin.
Example： Product Name: Hand sewing needle; Material: Stainless steel; Use: Hand sewing; Brand: No brand; Model: Length 3.5cm, diameter 0.8mm; Packaging Specifications: 50 pieces per box, 200 boxes per carton; Origin: China.
Common Mistakes：
Confusing sewing needles with sewing machine needles, the latter should be classified under 8452.
Material declaration is unclear, without specifying iron or steel, which may affect classification.
Declaring the use as "industrial" may lead to classification under other headings.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the "Import and Export Tariff" and the "HS Explanatory Notes". Heading 7319 explicitly includes sewing needles of iron or steel, and subheading 731910 specifically refers to sewing needles. When classifying, it is necessary to confirm that the product is a hand sewing needle, made of iron or steel, not a machine needle or medical needle. If it is a sewing machine needle, it should be classified under 8452; if it is a medical needle, it should be classified under 9018. 731920 Knitting needles: 731920 is for knitting needles, used for hand knitting, while 731910 is for sewing needles, used for sewing. The two have different uses but similar appearance, easily confused. 731930 Other needles: 731930 includes embroidery needles, crochet hooks, etc., but does not include sewing needles. Sewing needles have a dedicated subheading 731910 and should be classified there first. 845230 Sewing machine needles: 845230 is for sewing machine needles, belonging to machine parts, while 731910 is for hand sewing needles. The key difference is whether it is used for a sewing machine. 901832 Medical needles: 901832 is for medical needles, such as injection needles, suture needles, used for medical purposes, while 731910 is for daily sewing needles. Different use and material standards. 820559 Other hand tools: 820559 includes hand tools such as awls, but sewing needles have a dedicated heading and are not classified under 8205. Confirm whether the product is a hand sewing needle of iron or steel. Confirm whether it is used for sewing rather than knitting or medical purposes. Confirm whether it is not a sewing machine needle. Confirm whether it is not mixed with other types of needles. Confirm whether the declaration elements are complete and accurate.
Basis
The core basis for classification is the "Import and Export Tariff" and the "HS Explanatory Notes". Heading 7319 explicitly includes sewing needles of iron or steel, and subheading 731910 specifically refers to sewing needles. When classifying, it is necessary to confirm that the product is a hand sewing needle, made of iron or steel, not a machine needle or medical needle. If it is a sewing machine needle, it should be classified under 8452; if it is a medical needle, it should be classified under 9018.
Confused Codes：
731920 - Knitting needles
731920 is for knitting needles, used for hand knitting, while 731910 is for sewing needles, used for sewing. The two have different uses but similar appearance, easily confused.
731930 - Other needles
731930 includes embroidery needles, crochet hooks, etc., but does not include sewing needles. Sewing needles have a dedicated subheading 731910 and should be classified there first.
845230 - Sewing machine needles
845230 is for sewing machine needles, belonging to machine parts, while 731910 is for hand sewing needles. The key difference is whether it is used for a sewing machine.
901832 - Medical needles
901832 is for medical needles, such as injection needles, suture needles, used for medical purposes, while 731910 is for daily sewing needles. Different use and material standards.
820559 - Other hand tools
820559 includes hand tools such as awls, but sewing needles have a dedicated heading and are not classified under 8205.
Self-Check：
✓ Confirm whether the product is a hand sewing needle of iron or steel.
✓ Confirm whether it is used for sewing rather than knitting or medical purposes.
✓ Confirm whether it is not a sewing machine needle.
✓ Confirm whether it is not mixed with other types of needles.
✓ Confirm whether the declaration elements are complete and accurate.
❓ FAQ
How to inquire the HS code for sewing needles? You can check through the General Administration of Customs website, HS code inquiry platforms, or consult a customs broker. Enter the keyword "sewing needle", filter by iron or steel, and you will find 731910. Note the distinction between hand sewing needles and sewing machine needles. What is the difference between the HS codes for sewing needles and knitting needles? Sewing needles are classified under 731910, knitting needles under 731920. Both have the same material but different uses: sewing needles are used for sewing clothes, knitting needles for knitting sweaters, etc. The use must be accurately described when declaring. Can sewing machine needles be classified under 731910? No. Sewing machine needles are dedicated parts for sewing machines and should be classified under 845230. 731910 only applies to hand sewing needles. Misclassification may lead to tariff differences and customs penalties. What elements need to be declared for imported sewing needles? Product name, material, use, brand, model, packaging specifications, origin, etc. must be declared. The material should specify iron or steel, the use should be clearly hand sewing, and if there is no brand, declare "no brand". What is the tariff rate for sewing needles? Tariff rates vary depending on origin and trade agreements, and may be adjusted. It is recommended to check the latest "Import and Export Tariff" or confirm through a customs classification pre-ruling. Do not rely on outdated rates. Do sewing needles require commodity inspection for export? Generally not required, but if the importing country has special requirements or involves brand infringement, relevant certificates must be provided. It is recommended to consult the local customs or a professional customs broker. How to distinguish medical suture needles from sewing needles? Medical suture needles are classified under 901832 and usually have specific medical standards, such as sterile packaging, special materials. Sewing needles are for daily use and have no medical purpose. Proof of use must be provided when declaring. Are HS codes for sewing needles globally uniform? The first 6 digits of HS codes are globally uniform, but countries may subdivide differently in the latter digits. For example, the US HTSUS may be 7319.10.00, and the EU TARIC may be 7319.10.00.00. When exporting, confirm the destination country's code.
Q: How to inquire the HS code for sewing needles?
A: You can check through the General Administration of Customs website, HS code inquiry platforms, or consult a customs broker. Enter the keyword "sewing needle", filter by iron or steel, and you will find 731910. Note the distinction between hand sewing needles and sewing machine needles.
Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for sewing needles and knitting needles?
A: Sewing needles are classified under 731910, knitting needles under 731920. Both have the same material but different uses: sewing needles are used for sewing clothes, knitting needles for knitting sweaters, etc. The use must be accurately described when declaring.
Q: Can sewing machine needles be classified under 731910?
A: No. Sewing machine needles are dedicated parts for sewing machines and should be classified under 845230. 731910 only applies to hand sewing needles. Misclassification may lead to tariff differences and customs penalties.
Q: What elements need to be declared for imported sewing needles?
A: Product name, material, use, brand, model, packaging specifications, origin, etc. must be declared. The material should specify iron or steel, the use should be clearly hand sewing, and if there is no brand, declare "no brand".
Q: What is the tariff rate for sewing needles?
A: Tariff rates vary depending on origin and trade agreements, and may be adjusted. It is recommended to check the latest "Import and Export Tariff" or confirm through a customs classification pre-ruling. Do not rely on outdated rates.
Q: Do sewing needles require commodity inspection for export?
A: Generally not required, but if the importing country has special requirements or involves brand infringement, relevant certificates must be provided. It is recommended to consult the local customs or a professional customs broker.
Q: How to distinguish medical suture needles from sewing needles?
A: Medical suture needles are classified under 901832 and usually have specific medical standards, such as sterile packaging, special materials. Sewing needles are for daily use and have no medical purpose. Proof of use must be provided when declaring.
Q: Are HS codes for sewing needles globally uniform?
A: The first 6 digits of HS codes are globally uniform, but countries may subdivide differently in the latter digits. For example, the US HTSUS may be 7319.10.00, and the EU TARIC may be 7319.10.00.00. When exporting, confirm the destination country's code.
⚠️ 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.