Chapter 95 covers toys, games and sports equipment, including equipment for entertainment, leisure, and competitive use, as well as parts and accessories thereof. Fishing tackle, as outdoor sports equipment, is classified in this chapter due to its recreational and sporting nature, rather than in Chapter 39 for plastic articles or Chapter 73 for iron and steel articles. Heading 9507 specifically covers fishing rods, fishing hooks and other fishing tackle, including fishing lines, reels, baits, landing nets, etc. This heading covers various types of equipment specifically for fishing activities, regardless of whether the material is plastic, metal or composite, all classified under this heading. The first 2 digits 95 represent Chapter 95 (toys, games and sports equipment). Digits 3-4, 07, represent heading 9507 (fishing rods, fishing hooks and other fishing tackle). Digits 5-6, 90, are the subheading, meaning "other", i.e., fishing tackle not specifically named in 9507.10 to 9507.80, such as landing nets, baits, fishing lines, etc. The goods are fishing accessories, not specifically named items such as fishing rods or fishing hooks, so they are classified under 9507.90 "other". If they were ordinary plastic articles, they would be classified under Chapter 39, but because they are specially used for fishing, they are classified under Chapter 95 according to the principle of use.
Chapter
Chapter 95 covers toys, games and sports equipment, including equipment for entertainment, leisure, and competitive use, as well as parts and accessories thereof. Fishing tackle, as outdoor sports equipment, is classified in this chapter due to its recreational and sporting nature, rather than in Chapter 39 for plastic articles or Chapter 73 for iron and steel articles.
Heading
Heading 9507 specifically covers fishing rods, fishing hooks and other fishing tackle, including fishing lines, reels, baits, landing nets, etc. This heading covers various types of equipment specifically for fishing activities, regardless of whether the material is plastic, metal or composite, all classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 95 represent Chapter 95 (toys, games and sports equipment). Digits 3-4, 07, represent heading 9507 (fishing rods, fishing hooks and other fishing tackle). Digits 5-6, 90, are the subheading, meaning "other", i.e., fishing tackle not specifically named in 9507.10 to 9507.80, such as landing nets, baits, fishing lines, etc.
Classification Basis
The goods are fishing accessories, not specifically named items such as fishing rods or fishing hooks, so they are classified under 9507.90 "other". If they were ordinary plastic articles, they would be classified under Chapter 39, but because they are specially used for fishing, they are classified under Chapter 95 according to the principle of use.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as "fishing landing net", "fish bait", etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods. Material: Main material, such as plastic, metal, nylon, etc., which affects classification and valuation. Use: Clearly specified as for fishing only, such as "for sea fishing", "for freshwater fishing", etc. Brand: Brand of the goods; if there is no brand, indicate "no brand". Model: Model or item number of the goods, for easy identification. Packaging specification: Quantity and dimensions per unit package, such as "10 pcs/bag". Whether in a set: Whether it is in retail packaging as a set, which affects classification and tax rate. Product name: fishing landing net; Material: aluminum alloy net ring + nylon net fabric; Use: specially for fishing; Brand: ABC; Model: FN-202; Packaging specification: 1 pc/bag; Whether in a set: No. Confusing fishing tackle with ordinary plastic articles and incorrectly classifying under Chapter 39. Failure to distinguish fishing rods from fishing tackle, leading to subheading errors. Failure to classify complete sets of fishing tackle as a whole set, and separate declaration creates risks.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as "fishing landing net", "fish bait", etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Declaring generally as "fishing tackle" without specifying the type.
Material
Main material, such as plastic, metal, nylon, etc., which affects classification and valuation.
⚠️ Writing only "mixed material" without indicating the proportion of each component.
Use
Clearly specified as for fishing only, such as "for sea fishing", "for freshwater fishing", etc.
⚠️ Writing "outdoor supplies", leading to classification disputes.
Brand
Brand of the goods; if there is no brand, indicate "no brand".
⚠️ Omitting the brand or incorrectly reporting another brand.
Model
Model or item number of the goods, for easy identification.
⚠️ Model inconsistent with the actual goods or missing.
Packaging specification
Quantity and dimensions per unit package, such as "10 pcs/bag".
⚠️ Failure to indicate retail packaging or bulk packaging.
Whether in a set
Whether it is in retail packaging as a set, which affects classification and tax rate.
⚠️ Declaring set items separately, leading to classification errors.
Example： Product name: fishing landing net; Material: aluminum alloy net ring + nylon net fabric; Use: specially for fishing; Brand: ABC; Model: FN-202; Packaging specification: 1 pc/bag; Whether in a set: No.
Common Mistakes：
Confusing fishing tackle with ordinary plastic articles and incorrectly classifying under Chapter 39.
Failure to distinguish fishing rods from fishing tackle, leading to subheading errors.
Failure to classify complete sets of fishing tackle as a whole set, and separate declaration creates risks.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the specificity of the goods: they must be specially used for fishing activities. According to HS notes, 9507 includes fishing rods, fishing hooks, fishing lines, reels, baits, landing nets, etc. If the goods have multiple uses, they must be judged according to the principal use. Material does not affect classification, but attention should be paid to Chapters 39, 73, etc., which may be involved due to general use. 950710 Fishing rods: 950710 specifically refers to fishing rods, while 950790 is other fishing tackle, such as landing nets, baits, etc. 950720 Fish hooks: 950720 specifically refers to fish hooks, whether or not snelled, while 950790 does not include fish hooks. 392690 Other articles of plastics: If plastic articles are not specially used for fishing, they are classified under 392690; if specially used for fishing, they are classified under 950790. 732620 Articles of iron or steel wire: Iron or steel fishing tackle such as landing nets, if specially used for fishing, are classified under 950790; otherwise under 732620. Are the goods specially used for fishing? Do they belong to the specifically named fishing rods or fish hooks under 9507? Does the material affect classification? Are they in retail packaging as a set? Are they mixed with goods of other headings?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the specificity of the goods: they must be specially used for fishing activities. According to HS notes, 9507 includes fishing rods, fishing hooks, fishing lines, reels, baits, landing nets, etc. If the goods have multiple uses, they must be judged according to the principal use. Material does not affect classification, but attention should be paid to Chapters 39, 73, etc., which may be involved due to general use.
Confused Codes：
950710 - Fishing rods
950710 specifically refers to fishing rods, while 950790 is other fishing tackle, such as landing nets, baits, etc.
950720 - Fish hooks
950720 specifically refers to fish hooks, whether or not snelled, while 950790 does not include fish hooks.
392690 - Other articles of plastics
If plastic articles are not specially used for fishing, they are classified under 392690; if specially used for fishing, they are classified under 950790.
732620 - Articles of iron or steel wire
Iron or steel fishing tackle such as landing nets, if specially used for fishing, are classified under 950790; otherwise under 732620.
Self-Check：
✓ Are the goods specially used for fishing?
✓ Do they belong to the specifically named fishing rods or fish hooks under 9507?
✓ Does the material affect classification?
✓ Are they in retail packaging as a set?
✓ Are they mixed with goods of other headings?
❓ FAQ
Which HS code should fishing floats be classified under? Floats are other fishing tackle and should be classified under 950790. However, it must be confirmed that they are specially used for fishing, not general-purpose floats. If they are general-purpose plastic floats, they may be classified under 392690. Are fishing lines classified under 950790? If fishing lines are specially used for fishing and are not fitted with fish hooks, they are usually classified under 950790. However, if they are ordinary nylon lines, they may be classified under 5404 or 3916, depending on actual use and material. How are fish baits (lures) classified? Lures (fishing lures) are specially used for fishing and are classified under 950790. If they are real baits (such as worm baits), they may be classified under Chapter 5 or Chapter 3, but commercially imported lures are usually classified under 950790. What is the difference between fishing landing nets and ordinary net bags? Fishing landing nets are specially used for scooping fish and are classified under 950790; ordinary net bags, if used for other purposes, are classified according to material, such as plastic net bags under 392690 and metal net bags under 732620. How should complete sets of fishing tackle be declared? If in retail packaging as a set and all items are specially used for fishing, they may be classified as a whole set under 950790. However, if they include specifically named items such as fishing rods, they must be classified separately or according to the set by the last heading in numerical order. How can the import tax rate for 950790 be checked? The MFN rate, general rate, etc., can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Tax rates may change, and the latest tariff should prevail. What certification is required to export fishing tackle to the United States? There is no special federal certification for fishing tackle in the United States, but state regulations must be complied with, such as possible restrictions on lead sinkers. It is recommended to check the U.S. Customs HTS code 9507.90.60 and confirm whether FDA or CPSC certification is required.
Q: Which HS code should fishing floats be classified under?
A: Floats are other fishing tackle and should be classified under 950790. However, it must be confirmed that they are specially used for fishing, not general-purpose floats. If they are general-purpose plastic floats, they may be classified under 392690.
Q: Are fishing lines classified under 950790?
A: If fishing lines are specially used for fishing and are not fitted with fish hooks, they are usually classified under 950790. However, if they are ordinary nylon lines, they may be classified under 5404 or 3916, depending on actual use and material.
Q: How are fish baits (lures) classified?
A: Lures (fishing lures) are specially used for fishing and are classified under 950790. If they are real baits (such as worm baits), they may be classified under Chapter 5 or Chapter 3, but commercially imported lures are usually classified under 950790.
Q: What is the difference between fishing landing nets and ordinary net bags?
A: Fishing landing nets are specially used for scooping fish and are classified under 950790; ordinary net bags, if used for other purposes, are classified according to material, such as plastic net bags under 392690 and metal net bags under 732620.
Q: How should complete sets of fishing tackle be declared?
A: If in retail packaging as a set and all items are specially used for fishing, they may be classified as a whole set under 950790. However, if they include specifically named items such as fishing rods, they must be classified separately or according to the set by the last heading in numerical order.
Q: How can the import tax rate for 950790 be checked?
A: The MFN rate, general rate, etc., can be checked through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the Customs Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China. Tax rates may change, and the latest tariff should prevail.
Q: What certification is required to export fishing tackle to the United States?
A: There is no special federal certification for fishing tackle in the United States, but state regulations must be complied with, such as possible restrictions on lead sinkers. It is recommended to check the U.S. Customs HTS code 9507.90.60 and confirm whether FDA or CPSC certification is required.
⚠️ 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.