Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including semi-finished and finished products such as tubes, plates, wire rods, profiles, and various finished goods like structural components, containers, nails, needles, springs, etc. This chapter does not include ferrous waste and scrap (Chapter 72) or mechanical and electrical products (Chapters 84-85). Hand sewing needles, as finished steel products, fall within the scope of this chapter. Heading 7319 includes sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, and similar hand needles of iron or steel, covering hand sewing needles, knitting needles, embroidery needles, etc. However, it does not include machine needles (e.g., sewing machine needles classified under 8452), safety pins (7318), or medical needles (9018). First 2 digits 73: Chapter 73 articles of iron or steel; 3rd-4th digits 19: Heading 7319, specifically sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, and similar articles of iron or steel; 5th-6th digits 20: Subheading 731920, specifically hand sewing needles. This subheading is distinguished from other needles, such as 731910 knitting needles, 731930 crochet hooks, etc. Hand sewing needles are made of iron or steel, used for hand sewing, and meet the description of 7319. They are not classified under 7318 (screws, pins) because they are not fasteners; not under 8205 (hand tools) because they are not tools; not under 8452 (sewing machine needles) because they are not for machines.
Chapter
Chapter 73 covers articles of iron or steel, including semi-finished and finished products such as tubes, plates, wire rods, profiles, and various finished goods like structural components, containers, nails, needles, springs, etc. This chapter does not include ferrous waste and scrap (Chapter 72) or mechanical and electrical products (Chapters 84-85). Hand sewing needles, as finished steel products, fall within the scope of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 7319 includes sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, and similar hand needles of iron or steel, covering hand sewing needles, knitting needles, embroidery needles, etc. However, it does not include machine needles (e.g., sewing machine needles classified under 8452), safety pins (7318), or medical needles (9018).
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 73: Chapter 73 articles of iron or steel; 3rd-4th digits 19: Heading 7319, specifically sewing needles, knitting needles, crochet hooks, awls, and similar articles of iron or steel; 5th-6th digits 20: Subheading 731920, specifically hand sewing needles. This subheading is distinguished from other needles, such as 731910 knitting needles, 731930 crochet hooks, etc.
Classification Basis
Hand sewing needles are made of iron or steel, used for hand sewing, and meet the description of 7319. They are not classified under 7318 (screws, pins) because they are not fasteners; not under 8205 (hand tools) because they are not tools; not under 8452 (sewing machine needles) because they are not for machines.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Declare the product name accurately as "hand sewing needle" or specific type such as "embroidery needle". Material: Specify the material of the needle, usually stainless steel or carbon steel, and indicate the specific steel type. Use: Describe the use, such as hand sewing, embroidery, knitting, etc. Brand: Fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill "none". Model: Fill in the product model or specifications, such as needle size, length, etc. Packaging Specifications: Specify the packaging method and quantity, such as 50 pieces per box. Origin: Fill in the country or region of production, affecting tariffs and trade agreements. Product Name: Hand sewing needle; Material: Stainless steel; Use: Hand sewing; Brand: None; Model: No.7; Packaging Specifications: 50 pieces per box, 1000 boxes total; Origin: China. Confusing hand sewing needles with sewing machine needles, the latter should be classified under 8452. Material declaration not specific, only filling "steel" may lead to classification disputes. Use description too broad, not specifying hand use, may be misclassified as industrial needles.
Product Name
Declare the product name accurately as "hand sewing needle" or specific type such as "embroidery needle".
⚠️ Mistakenly filling as "sewing needle" or "knitting needle", leading to classification errors.
Material
Specify the material of the needle, usually stainless steel or carbon steel, and indicate the specific steel type.
⚠️ Only filling "steel" without specification, or mistakenly filling "iron".
Use
Describe the use, such as hand sewing, embroidery, knitting, etc.
⚠️ Filling "industrial use" without specifying the specific scenario.
Brand
Fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill "none".
⚠️ Confusing brand with trademark, or omitting.
Model
Fill in the product model or specifications, such as needle size, length, etc.
⚠️ Confusing model with item number, or incomplete filling.
Packaging Specifications
Specify the packaging method and quantity, such as 50 pieces per box.
⚠️ Omitting packaging unit, leading to incorrect quantity declaration.
Origin
Fill in the country or region of production, affecting tariffs and trade agreements.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling the exporting country or transit country.
Example： Product Name: Hand sewing needle; Material: Stainless steel; Use: Hand sewing; Brand: None; Model: No.7; Packaging Specifications: 50 pieces per box, 1000 boxes total; Origin: China.
Common Mistakes：
Confusing hand sewing needles with sewing machine needles, the latter should be classified under 8452.
Material declaration not specific, only filling "steel" may lead to classification disputes.
Use description too broad, not specifying hand use, may be misclassified as industrial needles.
🎯 Classification Logic
Classification basis: The product is a hand sewing needle of iron or steel, conforming to Chapter 73 notes and heading 7319 provisions of the Tariff. Core determining factors are material (iron or steel), use (hand sewing), and structure (not for machines). 731910 Knitting needles: Knitting needles are used for knitting, with hooks or special structures on the needle body, while hand sewing needles are straight with an eye. 731930 Crochet hooks: Crochet hooks have a hook at the end for crocheting, hand sewing needles have no hook. 845230 Sewing machine needles: Sewing machine needles are for machines, with specific shank structures, hand sewing needles are for hand use. 901890 Medical needles: Medical needles are for medical use, such as injection needles, suture needles, and must meet medical device standards. Is it for hand sewing? Is it made of iron or steel? Is it not for machines? Is it not for medical use? Is it not a knitting needle or crochet hook?
Basis
Classification basis: The product is a hand sewing needle of iron or steel, conforming to Chapter 73 notes and heading 7319 provisions of the Tariff. Core determining factors are material (iron or steel), use (hand sewing), and structure (not for machines).
Confused Codes：
731910 - Knitting needles
Knitting needles are used for knitting, with hooks or special structures on the needle body, while hand sewing needles are straight with an eye.
731930 - Crochet hooks
Crochet hooks have a hook at the end for crocheting, hand sewing needles have no hook.
845230 - Sewing machine needles
Sewing machine needles are for machines, with specific shank structures, hand sewing needles are for hand use.
901890 - Medical needles
Medical needles are for medical use, such as injection needles, suture needles, and must meet medical device standards.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it for hand sewing?
✓ Is it made of iron or steel?
✓ Is it not for machines?
✓ Is it not for medical use?
✓ Is it not a knitting needle or crochet hook?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between hand sewing needles and sewing machine needles? Hand sewing needles are classified under 731920, sewing machine needles under 845230. The difference lies in use: hand sewing needles are for hand sewing, sewing machine needles for industrial sewing machines. When declaring, the use must be clear to avoid confusion. How to inquire about the import tariff rate for hand sewing needles? You can inquire through the official website of China Customs or the International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 731920 and the origin, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, and agreement rate. Rates may change, so it is recommended to refer to the latest announcement. How to fill in the material when declaring hand sewing needles? The steel type should be specified, such as "stainless steel" or "carbon steel", avoiding just "steel". Material affects classification; if it is other metal, it may be classified under other chapters. What is the export tax rebate for hand sewing needles? The export tax rebate rate needs to be determined according to the policy of the year, usually available on the website of the State Taxation Administration. Hand sewing needles generally enjoy export tax rebates, but the specific rate is subject to the latest documents. What should be noted when selling hand sewing needles via cross-border e-commerce? Ensure correct product classification and truthful declaration value. Personal items imported may be subject to postal tax, but bulk sales require customs declaration as goods. Note that the HS code of the destination country may differ, so confirm in advance. If hand sewing needles come with a packaging box, does the classification change? Classification does not change due to packaging; they are still classified under 731920. However, if the packaging box is imported separately, it needs to be classified separately. If packaged as a set for retail, it may be classified as a set, but hand sewing needles remain the main product. How to fill in the "model" in the declaration elements for hand sewing needles? The model can be the manufacturer's model or specifications, such as the needle size (e.g., No.7). If no model, fill "none", but it is recommended to provide specifications for customs confirmation. Are hand sewing needles subject to anti-dumping measures? Currently, hand sewing needles are generally not within the scope of anti-dumping, but attention should be paid to announcements from the General Administration of Customs. If originating from specific countries, trade remedy measures may apply; it is recommended to check the latest anti-dumping list.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between hand sewing needles and sewing machine needles?
A: Hand sewing needles are classified under 731920, sewing machine needles under 845230. The difference lies in use: hand sewing needles are for hand sewing, sewing machine needles for industrial sewing machines. When declaring, the use must be clear to avoid confusion.
Q: How to inquire about the import tariff rate for hand sewing needles?
A: You can inquire through the official website of China Customs or the International Trade Single Window by entering HS code 731920 and the origin, and the system will display the MFN rate, general rate, and agreement rate. Rates may change, so it is recommended to refer to the latest announcement.
Q: How to fill in the material when declaring hand sewing needles?
A: The steel type should be specified, such as "stainless steel" or "carbon steel", avoiding just "steel". Material affects classification; if it is other metal, it may be classified under other chapters.
Q: What is the export tax rebate for hand sewing needles?
A: The export tax rebate rate needs to be determined according to the policy of the year, usually available on the website of the State Taxation Administration. Hand sewing needles generally enjoy export tax rebates, but the specific rate is subject to the latest documents.
Q: What should be noted when selling hand sewing needles via cross-border e-commerce?
A: Ensure correct product classification and truthful declaration value. Personal items imported may be subject to postal tax, but bulk sales require customs declaration as goods. Note that the HS code of the destination country may differ, so confirm in advance.
Q: If hand sewing needles come with a packaging box, does the classification change?
A: Classification does not change due to packaging; they are still classified under 731920. However, if the packaging box is imported separately, it needs to be classified separately. If packaged as a set for retail, it may be classified as a set, but hand sewing needles remain the main product.
Q: How to fill in the "model" in the declaration elements for hand sewing needles?
A: The model can be the manufacturer's model or specifications, such as the needle size (e.g., No.7). If no model, fill "none", but it is recommended to provide specifications for customs confirmation.
Q: Are hand sewing needles subject to anti-dumping measures?
A: Currently, hand sewing needles are generally not within the scope of anti-dumping, but attention should be paid to announcements from the General Administration of Customs. If originating from specific countries, trade remedy measures may apply; it is recommended to check the latest anti-dumping list.
⚠️ 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.