Chapter 95 covers toys, games and sports equipment, including playground equipment, billiard supplies, video game consoles, fishing gear, hunting gear, and various types of sports equipment. The core characteristic of this chapter is that the goods are mainly used for entertainment, leisure or sports, rather than as production tools or daily practical items. Heading 9506 specifically targets general fitness, gymnastics, athletic sports and outdoor sports equipment, distinguishing it from 9503 toys, 9504 games and 9507 fishing gear. Heading 9506 covers general sports, gymnastics, athletic and outdoor game equipment, including rackets, balls, nets, clubs, skateboards, skis, swimming equipment, fitness equipment, etc. However, it explicitly excludes: clothing specially designed for specific sports (Chapters 61/62), sports shoes (Chapter 64), and video game equipment (9504). 9506 is the core heading for sports equipment, further subdivided by specific sport type. Code 950651 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits 95 = Chapter 95 toys, games and sports equipment; digits 3-4, 06 = heading 9506, referring to general sports, gymnastics, athletic and outdoor game equipment; digits 5-6, 51 = subheading 950651, specifically referring to tennis rackets. Under 9506, it is subdivided by sport type: 950651 tennis rackets, 950659 other rackets (such as badminton rackets, squash rackets), 950661 lawn tennis balls, 950662 basketballs, etc. Therefore, 950651 precisely identifies tennis rackets, regardless of material (wood, aluminum alloy, carbon fiber) or size (adult, children's). Tennis rackets are classified under 950651 rather than other codes because they are essentially sports equipment, meeting the definition of 9506 "general sports equipment." They are not classified under 9503 (toys) because tennis rackets are real sports gear, not children's toys; not under 9504 (games) because they are not video games or billiard supplies; not under Chapter 73 iron and steel articles or Chapter 76 aluminum articles, because they have been made into specific sports equipment, and Chapter 95 takes precedence.
Chapter
Chapter 95 covers toys, games and sports equipment, including playground equipment, billiard supplies, video game consoles, fishing gear, hunting gear, and various types of sports equipment. The core characteristic of this chapter is that the goods are mainly used for entertainment, leisure or sports, rather than as production tools or daily practical items. Heading 9506 specifically targets general fitness, gymnastics, athletic sports and outdoor sports equipment, distinguishing it from 9503 toys, 9504 games and 9507 fishing gear.
Heading
Heading 9506 covers general sports, gymnastics, athletic and outdoor game equipment, including rackets, balls, nets, clubs, skateboards, skis, swimming equipment, fitness equipment, etc. However, it explicitly excludes: clothing specially designed for specific sports (Chapters 61/62), sports shoes (Chapter 64), and video game equipment (9504). 9506 is the core heading for sports equipment, further subdivided by specific sport type.
Digit Breakdown
Code 950651 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits 95 = Chapter 95 toys, games and sports equipment; digits 3-4, 06 = heading 9506, referring to general sports, gymnastics, athletic and outdoor game equipment; digits 5-6, 51 = subheading 950651, specifically referring to tennis rackets. Under 9506, it is subdivided by sport type: 950651 tennis rackets, 950659 other rackets (such as badminton rackets, squash rackets), 950661 lawn tennis balls, 950662 basketballs, etc. Therefore, 950651 precisely identifies tennis rackets, regardless of material (wood, aluminum alloy, carbon fiber) or size (adult, children's).
Classification Basis
Tennis rackets are classified under 950651 rather than other codes because they are essentially sports equipment, meeting the definition of 9506 "general sports equipment." They are not classified under 9503 (toys) because tennis rackets are real sports gear, not children's toys; not under 9504 (games) because they are not video games or billiard supplies; not under Chapter 73 iron and steel articles or Chapter 76 aluminum articles, because they have been made into specific sports equipment, and Chapter 95 takes precedence.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Declare the commodity name, which should be detailed and specific, such as "tennis racket" or "carbon fiber tennis racket," avoiding vague terms like "sports equipment." Brand: Fill in the brand name (such as Wilson, Babolat, Head); if no brand, write "no brand." Brand affects price and intellectual property, and must be declared truthfully. Material: Declare the main materials of the frame and string bed, such as "carbon fiber frame, nylon strings." Material affects classification, but tennis rackets are classified under 950651 regardless of material. Model: Fill in the manufacturer's model or item number, such as "Pro Staff 97." The model helps customs identify the specific commodity. Specifications and Dimensions: Declare head size (such as 100 square inches), length (such as 27 inches), weight (such as 300 grams), etc. Specifications affect classification, but tennis rackets are still classified under 950651. Use: Declare the use, such as "for tennis sports." Use is key to classification and must be specified as tennis sports. Packaging Type: Declare the packaging method, such as "retail packaging" or "bulk." Packaging affects the dutiable value and regulatory conditions. Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Carbon fiber tennis racket
Brand: Wilson
Model: Pro Staff 97
Material: Carbon fiber frame, nylon strings
Specifications: Head size 97 square inches, length 27 inches, weight 315 grams
Use: For tennis sports
Packaging: Retail packaging, each in an individual cardboard box
HS Code: 95065100.00
Remarks: No brand authorization issues, origin China. Misclassifying tennis rackets under 950659 (other rackets); must confirm whether they are specifically for tennis. Inaccurate material declaration, such as misreporting carbon fiber as aluminum alloy, may affect price review. Brand unauthorized or counterfeit, leading to intellectual property seizure; authorization proof required.
Product Name
Declare the commodity name, which should be detailed and specific, such as "tennis racket" or "carbon fiber tennis racket," avoiding vague terms like "sports equipment."
⚠️ Writing only "racket" or "sporting goods," leading to classification disputes.
Brand
Fill in the brand name (such as Wilson, Babolat, Head); if no brand, write "no brand." Brand affects price and intellectual property, and must be declared truthfully.
⚠️ Brand misspelled or inconsistent with the actual item, triggering customs scrutiny.
Material
Declare the main materials of the frame and string bed, such as "carbon fiber frame, nylon strings." Material affects classification, but tennis rackets are classified under 950651 regardless of material.
⚠️ Writing only "metal" or "plastic," without distinguishing frame from strings.
Model
Fill in the manufacturer's model or item number, such as "Pro Staff 97." The model helps customs identify the specific commodity.
⚠️ Model inconsistent with the actual item or left blank.
Specifications and Dimensions
Declare head size (such as 100 square inches), length (such as 27 inches), weight (such as 300 grams), etc. Specifications affect classification, but tennis rackets are still classified under 950651.
⚠️ Failing to provide dimensions, making it impossible to determine whether it is a tennis racket (such as a children's racket).
Use
Declare the use, such as "for tennis sports." Use is key to classification and must be specified as tennis sports.
⚠️ Writing "for entertainment" may lead to misclassification as toys.
Packaging Type
Declare the packaging method, such as "retail packaging" or "bulk." Packaging affects the dutiable value and regulatory conditions.
⚠️ Failing to declare packaging, causing inspection difficulties.
Example： Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Carbon fiber tennis racket
Brand: Wilson
Model: Pro Staff 97
Material: Carbon fiber frame, nylon strings
Specifications: Head size 97 square inches, length 27 inches, weight 315 grams
Use: For tennis sports
Packaging: Retail packaging, each in an individual cardboard box
HS Code: 95065100.00
Remarks: No brand authorization issues, origin China.
Common Mistakes：
Misclassifying tennis rackets under 950659 (other rackets); must confirm whether they are specifically for tennis.
Inaccurate material declaration, such as misreporting carbon fiber as aluminum alloy, may affect price review.
Brand unauthorized or counterfeit, leading to intellectual property seizure; authorization proof required.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification basis: whether the commodity is a tennis racket. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Import and Export Tariff, subheading 950651 explicitly includes tennis rackets, regardless of material, size, or whether they come with a racket cover. Key criteria: 1) designed for tennis sports; 2) has a frame and strings; 3) not a toy or video game. If it is another racket (such as badminton racket, squash racket), it is classified under 950659. If it is a toy racket (such as a plastic children's toy), it is classified under 9503. 950659 Other rackets: Includes badminton rackets, squash rackets, table tennis rackets, etc., but not tennis rackets. The difference lies in the sport type; tennis rackets have specific size and string tension requirements. 950661 Lawn tennis balls: Refers to the tennis ball itself, not the racket. Tennis rackets and tennis balls are complementary but different commodities and must be distinguished during classification. 950300 Toys: Toy rackets are usually made of plastic, small in size, and have no actual sports function, whereas tennis rackets are real sports equipment with different materials and performance. 950699 Other sports equipment: Includes tennis nets, tennis racket covers and other accessories, but tennis rackets themselves are already specifically listed under 950651 and should not be classified under this code. 732690 Other iron and steel articles: If a tennis racket is unfinished or is only a metal frame, it may be classified under this code, but once made into a tennis racket, it is classified under 950651. Is it specifically for tennis? Does it have strings and a frame? Does the material affect classification? Is it a toy or video game? Are the brand and model fully declared?
Basis
Core classification basis: whether the commodity is a tennis racket. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Import and Export Tariff, subheading 950651 explicitly includes tennis rackets, regardless of material, size, or whether they come with a racket cover. Key criteria: 1) designed for tennis sports; 2) has a frame and strings; 3) not a toy or video game. If it is another racket (such as badminton racket, squash racket), it is classified under 950659. If it is a toy racket (such as a plastic children's toy), it is classified under 9503.
Confused Codes：
950659 - Other rackets
Includes badminton rackets, squash rackets, table tennis rackets, etc., but not tennis rackets. The difference lies in the sport type; tennis rackets have specific size and string tension requirements.
950661 - Lawn tennis balls
Refers to the tennis ball itself, not the racket. Tennis rackets and tennis balls are complementary but different commodities and must be distinguished during classification.
950300 - Toys
Toy rackets are usually made of plastic, small in size, and have no actual sports function, whereas tennis rackets are real sports equipment with different materials and performance.
950699 - Other sports equipment
Includes tennis nets, tennis racket covers and other accessories, but tennis rackets themselves are already specifically listed under 950651 and should not be classified under this code.
732690 - Other iron and steel articles
If a tennis racket is unfinished or is only a metal frame, it may be classified under this code, but once made into a tennis racket, it is classified under 950651.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it specifically for tennis?
✓ Does it have strings and a frame?
✓ Does the material affect classification?
✓ Is it a toy or video game?
✓ Are the brand and model fully declared?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between tennis rackets and badminton rackets? Tennis rackets are classified under 950651, badminton rackets under 950659. The difference lies in the sport type: tennis rackets are designed for tennis, with a larger head and higher string tension; badminton rackets are lighter with a narrower head. When declaring, specify the use and specifications clearly to avoid confusion. Are the HS codes the same for carbon fiber tennis rackets and aluminum alloy tennis rackets? Yes, both are classified under 950651. HS code 950651 is divided by sport type, not by material. However, the material must be declared truthfully when declaring, because material affects the dutiable value and customs valuation, but does not change classification. Are children's tennis rackets classified under toy codes? If the children's tennis racket is real sports equipment (such as a scaled-down but fully functional version), it is still classified under 950651. If it is a plastic toy with no actual sports function, it is classified under 9503. The key criterion: whether it can be used for actual tennis play. How is a tennis racket set (including racket cover and balls) classified? According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System, if a tennis racket set put up for retail sale has the tennis racket as the essential character, the whole set is classified under 950651. However, if the balls and racket cover are packaged separately, they must be classified separately: tennis racket 950651, tennis balls 950661, racket cover by material. How can I check the import tariff rate for tennis rackets? Tariff rates change, so it is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website or the "Single Window." Information such as HS code 950651, country of origin, and trade mode is required. You may also consult a professional customs broker, and note differences in free trade agreement rates. Is the brand important when declaring tennis rackets? Very important. Brand involves intellectual property; if it is counterfeit, the goods may be seized. When declaring, provide a brand authorization letter or proof of legitimate source. If no brand, write "no brand," but ensure no infringement of others' trademark rights. Are there special requirements for importing used tennis rackets? Used tennis rackets are classified under 950651, but attention must be paid to health quarantine and regulations on used mechanical and electrical products. Some countries prohibit the import of used sports equipment, so confirm in advance. When declaring, note "used" and the condition rate; customs may inspect. Are tennis racket and squash racket codes easily confused? They are easily confused. Tennis rackets 950651, squash rackets 950659. The difference lies in head size and use: squash rackets are smaller with shorter handles. When declaring, provide specifications and use to avoid misclassification.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between tennis rackets and badminton rackets?
A: Tennis rackets are classified under 950651, badminton rackets under 950659. The difference lies in the sport type: tennis rackets are designed for tennis, with a larger head and higher string tension; badminton rackets are lighter with a narrower head. When declaring, specify the use and specifications clearly to avoid confusion.
Q: Are the HS codes the same for carbon fiber tennis rackets and aluminum alloy tennis rackets?
A: Yes, both are classified under 950651. HS code 950651 is divided by sport type, not by material. However, the material must be declared truthfully when declaring, because material affects the dutiable value and customs valuation, but does not change classification.
Q: Are children's tennis rackets classified under toy codes?
A: If the children's tennis racket is real sports equipment (such as a scaled-down but fully functional version), it is still classified under 950651. If it is a plastic toy with no actual sports function, it is classified under 9503. The key criterion: whether it can be used for actual tennis play.
Q: How is a tennis racket set (including racket cover and balls) classified?
A: According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System, if a tennis racket set put up for retail sale has the tennis racket as the essential character, the whole set is classified under 950651. However, if the balls and racket cover are packaged separately, they must be classified separately: tennis racket 950651, tennis balls 950661, racket cover by material.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for tennis rackets?
A: Tariff rates change, so it is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website or the "Single Window." Information such as HS code 950651, country of origin, and trade mode is required. You may also consult a professional customs broker, and note differences in free trade agreement rates.
Q: Is the brand important when declaring tennis rackets?
A: Very important. Brand involves intellectual property; if it is counterfeit, the goods may be seized. When declaring, provide a brand authorization letter or proof of legitimate source. If no brand, write "no brand," but ensure no infringement of others' trademark rights.
Q: Are there special requirements for importing used tennis rackets?
A: Used tennis rackets are classified under 950651, but attention must be paid to health quarantine and regulations on used mechanical and electrical products. Some countries prohibit the import of used sports equipment, so confirm in advance. When declaring, note "used" and the condition rate; customs may inspect.
Q: Are tennis racket and squash racket codes easily confused?
A: They are easily confused. Tennis rackets 950651, squash rackets 950659. The difference lies in head size and use: squash rackets are smaller with shorter handles. When declaring, provide specifications and use to avoid misclassification.
⚠️ 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.