Chapter 96 is the miscellaneous manufactured articles chapter in the HS classification system, covering a wide range of goods including animal brushes, brooms, hand sieves, buttons, zippers, ballpoint pens, pencils, crayons, lighters, smoking pipes, combs, hairpins, perfume sprayers, vacuum flasks, etc. These goods usually have multiple materials or functions and are difficult to classify under other more specific chapters. Most goods in this chapter are manufactured articles and are not classified under the machinery or mechanical appliances of Chapter 84 or 85. Heading 9603 covers brooms, brushes (including brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles), hand-operated floor sweepers, mops, feather dusters, dusters and similar articles; and bundles or tufts of material suitable for making brooms or brushes as semi-finished products. This heading includes brooms and brushes of various materials, but excludes certain special-purpose brushes (such as medical brushes) and machine brushes (which must be determined based on material and use). The first 2 digits 96 represent Chapter 96, Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles. Digits 3-4, 03, represent heading 9603, i.e., brooms, brushes, etc. Digits 5-6, 10, represent subheading 960310, specifically brooms and brushes consisting of twigs or other vegetable materials bound together. This subheading includes only brooms and brushes made primarily from vegetable materials (such as sorghum heads, palm leaves, bamboo, etc.) by binding or simple tying. If a broom has a handle or has undergone complex processing, it may be classified under other subheadings. This product is a broom made of vegetable materials bound together, which conforms to the description of subheading 960310. If the broom is made of plastic or metal, it is classified under 960390; if it is a machine brush, it may be classified under 960350. Therefore, based on material and method of manufacture, it is correctly classified under 960310.
Chapter
Chapter 96 is the miscellaneous manufactured articles chapter in the HS classification system, covering a wide range of goods including animal brushes, brooms, hand sieves, buttons, zippers, ballpoint pens, pencils, crayons, lighters, smoking pipes, combs, hairpins, perfume sprayers, vacuum flasks, etc. These goods usually have multiple materials or functions and are difficult to classify under other more specific chapters. Most goods in this chapter are manufactured articles and are not classified under the machinery or mechanical appliances of Chapter 84 or 85.
Heading
Heading 9603 covers brooms, brushes (including brushes constituting parts of machines, appliances or vehicles), hand-operated floor sweepers, mops, feather dusters, dusters and similar articles; and bundles or tufts of material suitable for making brooms or brushes as semi-finished products. This heading includes brooms and brushes of various materials, but excludes certain special-purpose brushes (such as medical brushes) and machine brushes (which must be determined based on material and use).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 96 represent Chapter 96, Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles. Digits 3-4, 03, represent heading 9603, i.e., brooms, brushes, etc. Digits 5-6, 10, represent subheading 960310, specifically brooms and brushes consisting of twigs or other vegetable materials bound together. This subheading includes only brooms and brushes made primarily from vegetable materials (such as sorghum heads, palm leaves, bamboo, etc.) by binding or simple tying. If a broom has a handle or has undergone complex processing, it may be classified under other subheadings.
Classification Basis
This product is a broom made of vegetable materials bound together, which conforms to the description of subheading 960310. If the broom is made of plastic or metal, it is classified under 960390; if it is a machine brush, it may be classified under 960350. Therefore, based on material and method of manufacture, it is correctly classified under 960310.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared goods should be specific and clear, such as 'broom made of vegetable materials'. Material: Detailed description of the main material of the broom, such as sorghum heads, palm leaves, bamboo, and other vegetable materials. Manufacturing Process: Describe the processing method of the broom, such as binding, tying, whether it has a handle, etc. Use: Explain the use of the broom, such as household cleaning, industrial use, etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'None'. Specifications and Model: Declare specifications such as the size and weight of the broom. Packaging Method: Explain the packaging form of the goods, such as cartons, woven bags, etc. Product Name: broom made of vegetable materials; Material: sorghum heads; Manufacturing Process: bound, without handle; Use: household cleaning; Brand: None; Specifications and Model: length 80 cm, weight 200 g; Packaging Method: packed in cartons. Mistakenly classifying a plastic broom under 960310 when it should actually be classified under 960390. Failing to indicate the material, causing customs to question the classification. Mistakenly classifying a complex broom with a handle under 960310 when it may need to be classified under 960390.
Product Name
The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared goods should be specific and clear, such as 'broom made of vegetable materials'.
⚠️ Writing only 'broom' without indicating the material.
Material
Detailed description of the main material of the broom, such as sorghum heads, palm leaves, bamboo, and other vegetable materials.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing plastic or nylon.
Manufacturing Process
Describe the processing method of the broom, such as binding, tying, whether it has a handle, etc.
⚠️ Failing to indicate whether it has a handle, leading to classification errors.
Use
Explain the use of the broom, such as household cleaning, industrial use, etc.
⚠️ Writing 'cleaning' in general terms without distinguishing the scenario.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'None'.
⚠️ Omitting brand information.
Specifications and Model
Declare specifications such as the size and weight of the broom.
⚠️ Failing to provide specific specifications.
Packaging Method
Explain the packaging form of the goods, such as cartons, woven bags, etc.
⚠️ Failing to indicate packaging, affecting inspection.
Example： Product Name: broom made of vegetable materials; Material: sorghum heads; Manufacturing Process: bound, without handle; Use: household cleaning; Brand: None; Specifications and Model: length 80 cm, weight 200 g; Packaging Method: packed in cartons.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying a plastic broom under 960310 when it should actually be classified under 960390.
Failing to indicate the material, causing customs to question the classification.
Mistakenly classifying a complex broom with a handle under 960310 when it may need to be classified under 960390.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and HS Explanatory Notes. Subheading 960310 applies only to brooms and brushes consisting of twigs or other vegetable materials bound together. If a broom contains non-vegetable materials (such as a plastic handle) or has undergone complex processing, it may be classified under 960390. At the same time, consideration must be given to whether it is a machine brush (960350) or a medical brush (960390). 960390 Other brooms, brushes: 960390 covers brooms and brushes made of non-vegetable materials, such as plastic, metal, etc., as well as other brooms not elsewhere specified. 960350 Brushes for machines, appliances or vehicles: 960350 specifically refers to brushes that are parts of machines, appliances or vehicles, such as industrial brushes and vehicle cleaning brushes. 960329 Other shaving brushes, hair brushes, etc.: 960329 includes personal brushes such as hair brushes and nail brushes, while 960310 is for brooms. 460219 Articles of plaiting materials: 460219 includes plaited baskets and similar articles. If a broom is made by plaiting, it may be classified under this code, but brooms are usually classified under 9603. Is the material vegetable material? Has it been bound or tied? Does it have a handle made of non-vegetable material? Is the use for sweeping? Is it a machine brush?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and HS Explanatory Notes. Subheading 960310 applies only to brooms and brushes consisting of twigs or other vegetable materials bound together. If a broom contains non-vegetable materials (such as a plastic handle) or has undergone complex processing, it may be classified under 960390. At the same time, consideration must be given to whether it is a machine brush (960350) or a medical brush (960390).
Confused Codes：
960390 - Other brooms, brushes
960390 covers brooms and brushes made of non-vegetable materials, such as plastic, metal, etc., as well as other brooms not elsewhere specified.
960350 - Brushes for machines, appliances or vehicles
960350 specifically refers to brushes that are parts of machines, appliances or vehicles, such as industrial brushes and vehicle cleaning brushes.
960329 - Other shaving brushes, hair brushes, etc.
960329 includes personal brushes such as hair brushes and nail brushes, while 960310 is for brooms.
460219 - Articles of plaiting materials
460219 includes plaited baskets and similar articles. If a broom is made by plaiting, it may be classified under this code, but brooms are usually classified under 9603.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material vegetable material?
✓ Has it been bound or tied?
✓ Does it have a handle made of non-vegetable material?
✓ Is the use for sweeping?
✓ Is it a machine brush?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between brooms under HS code 960310 and brooms under 960390? 960310 applies only to brooms made of vegetable materials (such as sorghum heads, palm leaves) bound together; while 960390 covers brooms of other materials (such as plastic, metal) or brooms that have undergone complex processing. If a broom has a plastic handle, it is usually classified under 960390. How should the material of a broom made of vegetable materials be declared? The specific name of the vegetable material should be listed, such as 'sorghum heads', 'palm leaves', 'bamboo', etc. A general term such as 'vegetable materials' should not be used. At the same time, it is necessary to state whether it has been dyed, bleached, or otherwise treated. Is the HS code of a broom affected by the brand? HS classification is mainly based on the material, use, and processing method of the goods, and the brand does not affect classification. However, brand information must be truthfully filled in at declaration; if there is no brand, fill in 'None'. Which code should a broom with a handle be classified under? If the broom has a handle made of non-vegetable material (such as plastic or metal), it is usually classified under 960390; if the handle is also made of vegetable material and the whole article is made of vegetable materials bound together, it may still be classified under 960310. It is recommended to determine this based on the actual material and structure. Which code should a machine broom brush be classified under? Brushes that are parts of machines, appliances or vehicles should be classified under 960350, not 960310. For example, brushes on floor sweeping machines. How should the 'Manufacturing Process' declaration element for brooms be filled in? It should describe the processing method of the broom, such as 'binding', 'tying', 'plaiting', etc., and state whether it has a handle, whether it has been trimmed, etc. If a broom is made of a mixture of multiple materials, how should it be classified? According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS, it should be classified according to the predominant material. If vegetable material predominates, it is classified under 960310; if other materials predominate, it is classified under 960390. How can the import tariff rate for brooms be checked? The import tariff rate must be determined based on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. It can be checked in the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or by consulting customs. Rates may change, so the latest announcement should prevail.
Q: What is the difference between brooms under HS code 960310 and brooms under 960390?
A: 960310 applies only to brooms made of vegetable materials (such as sorghum heads, palm leaves) bound together; while 960390 covers brooms of other materials (such as plastic, metal) or brooms that have undergone complex processing. If a broom has a plastic handle, it is usually classified under 960390.
Q: How should the material of a broom made of vegetable materials be declared?
A: The specific name of the vegetable material should be listed, such as 'sorghum heads', 'palm leaves', 'bamboo', etc. A general term such as 'vegetable materials' should not be used. At the same time, it is necessary to state whether it has been dyed, bleached, or otherwise treated.
Q: Is the HS code of a broom affected by the brand?
A: HS classification is mainly based on the material, use, and processing method of the goods, and the brand does not affect classification. However, brand information must be truthfully filled in at declaration; if there is no brand, fill in 'None'.
Q: Which code should a broom with a handle be classified under?
A: If the broom has a handle made of non-vegetable material (such as plastic or metal), it is usually classified under 960390; if the handle is also made of vegetable material and the whole article is made of vegetable materials bound together, it may still be classified under 960310. It is recommended to determine this based on the actual material and structure.
Q: Which code should a machine broom brush be classified under?
A: Brushes that are parts of machines, appliances or vehicles should be classified under 960350, not 960310. For example, brushes on floor sweeping machines.
Q: How should the 'Manufacturing Process' declaration element for brooms be filled in?
A: It should describe the processing method of the broom, such as 'binding', 'tying', 'plaiting', etc., and state whether it has a handle, whether it has been trimmed, etc.
Q: If a broom is made of a mixture of multiple materials, how should it be classified?
A: According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS, it should be classified according to the predominant material. If vegetable material predominates, it is classified under 960310; if other materials predominate, it is classified under 960390.
Q: How can the import tariff rate for brooms be checked?
A: The import tariff rate must be determined based on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. It can be checked in the Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China or by consulting customs. Rates may change, so the latest announcement should prevail.
⚠️ 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.