Chapter 96 is the miscellaneous manufactured articles chapter in the HS classification system, covering articles of carving or molding materials, brooms, brushes, sieves, complete travel sets, buttons, zippers, ballpoint pens, pencils, crayons, lighters, smoking pipes, combs, hairpins, perfume sprayers, vacuum insulated containers, etc. These goods usually have multiple material compositions or uses and are difficult to classify under other more specific chapters. Most goods in this chapter are finished products and are not classified by material, but are independently established as a chapter by function or use. Heading 9603 covers brooms, brushes (including brushes for machines, appliances, or vehicles), hand-operated floor sweepers, mops, feather dusters, and prepared knots or tufts for brush making; it also includes paint rollers, squeegees, rags, and other cleaning tools. However, it excludes certain special-purpose brushes, such as dental brushes (classified under 9018), paintbrushes (classified under a specific subheading of 9603), etc. Goods under this heading are mainly used for cleaning, coating, grooming, and similar purposes. Code 960390 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits "96" represent Chapter 96 (miscellaneous manufactured articles), covering various manufactured goods not elsewhere specified; digits 3-4 "03" represent heading 9603, specifically referring to brooms, brushes, mops, feather dusters, and other cleaning tools and materials for brush making; digits 5-6 "90" represent the subheading, meaning "other," i.e., brushes not specifically named under other subheadings under 9603 (such as 960310 brooms and brushes, 960321-960329 various toothbrushes, 960330 paintbrushes, etc.). Therefore, 960390 refers to other brushes, including industrial brushes, household brushes, personal brushes, and other brushes not specifically named. This product is classified under 960390 because it is a brush product but is not specifically named under other subheadings under 9603 (such as toothbrushes, paintbrushes, brooms, etc.). If the brush has a specialized function (such as medical brushes), it may be classified under another chapter; if its material composition is special (such as made of precious metal), it may also be classified under another chapter. However, in general, brushes not elsewhere specified are classified under 960390.
Chapter
Chapter 96 is the miscellaneous manufactured articles chapter in the HS classification system, covering articles of carving or molding materials, brooms, brushes, sieves, complete travel sets, buttons, zippers, ballpoint pens, pencils, crayons, lighters, smoking pipes, combs, hairpins, perfume sprayers, vacuum insulated containers, etc. These goods usually have multiple material compositions or uses and are difficult to classify under other more specific chapters. Most goods in this chapter are finished products and are not classified by material, but are independently established as a chapter by function or use.
Heading
Heading 9603 covers brooms, brushes (including brushes for machines, appliances, or vehicles), hand-operated floor sweepers, mops, feather dusters, and prepared knots or tufts for brush making; it also includes paint rollers, squeegees, rags, and other cleaning tools. However, it excludes certain special-purpose brushes, such as dental brushes (classified under 9018), paintbrushes (classified under a specific subheading of 9603), etc. Goods under this heading are mainly used for cleaning, coating, grooming, and similar purposes.
Digit Breakdown
Code 960390 consists of 6 digits. The first 2 digits "96" represent Chapter 96 (miscellaneous manufactured articles), covering various manufactured goods not elsewhere specified; digits 3-4 "03" represent heading 9603, specifically referring to brooms, brushes, mops, feather dusters, and other cleaning tools and materials for brush making; digits 5-6 "90" represent the subheading, meaning "other," i.e., brushes not specifically named under other subheadings under 9603 (such as 960310 brooms and brushes, 960321-960329 various toothbrushes, 960330 paintbrushes, etc.). Therefore, 960390 refers to other brushes, including industrial brushes, household brushes, personal brushes, and other brushes not specifically named.
Classification Basis
This product is classified under 960390 because it is a brush product but is not specifically named under other subheadings under 9603 (such as toothbrushes, paintbrushes, brooms, etc.). If the brush has a specialized function (such as medical brushes), it may be classified under another chapter; if its material composition is special (such as made of precious metal), it may also be classified under another chapter. However, in general, brushes not elsewhere specified are classified under 960390.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The Chinese and English names of the declared goods should accurately describe the brush's use, material, etc., such as "nylon bristle brush" or "steel wire brush." Use: Explain the main use of the brush, such as industrial cleaning, household dust removal, personal care, vehicle washing, etc. Material: Describe the materials of the bristles and handle, such as nylon, pig bristle, or steel wire for bristles, and plastic, wood, or metal for the handle. Brand: Declare the brand of the goods (if any); if there is no brand, fill in "no brand." Model: Declare the model or item number of the goods for easy identification. Packaging specifications: Declare the packaging method and quantity of the goods, such as "100 pieces/carton." Machine use or not: State whether the brush is for machines, appliances, or vehicles, as this affects subheading classification. Product name: Industrial nylon bristle brush; Use: For cleaning mechanical equipment; Material: Nylon bristles, plastic handle; Brand: No brand; Model: NB-2020; Packaging specifications: 500 pieces/carton; Machine use or not: Yes. Mistakenly classifying toothbrushes under 960390; toothbrushes should be classified under 960321-960329. Mistakenly classifying paintbrushes under 960390; paintbrushes should be classified under 960330. Mistakenly classifying brooms under 960390; brooms should be classified under 960310.
Product name
The Chinese and English names of the declared goods should accurately describe the brush's use, material, etc., such as "nylon bristle brush" or "steel wire brush."
⚠️ Writing only "brush," which is too general and does not specify the exact type.
Use
Explain the main use of the brush, such as industrial cleaning, household dust removal, personal care, vehicle washing, etc.
⚠️ Declaring an industrial brush as household use, resulting in incorrect classification.
Material
Describe the materials of the bristles and handle, such as nylon, pig bristle, or steel wire for bristles, and plastic, wood, or metal for the handle.
⚠️ Ignoring the handle material, or incorrectly stating the bristle material.
Brand
Declare the brand of the goods (if any); if there is no brand, fill in "no brand."
⚠️ Confusing the brand with the manufacturer.
Model
Declare the model or item number of the goods for easy identification.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the actual product.
Packaging specifications
Declare the packaging method and quantity of the goods, such as "100 pieces/carton."
⚠️ Packaging specifications inconsistent with the actual goods, affecting inspection.
Machine use or not
State whether the brush is for machines, appliances, or vehicles, as this affects subheading classification.
⚠️ Declaring a machine brush as hand-operated, resulting in incorrect classification.
Example： Product name: Industrial nylon bristle brush; Use: For cleaning mechanical equipment; Material: Nylon bristles, plastic handle; Brand: No brand; Model: NB-2020; Packaging specifications: 500 pieces/carton; Machine use or not: Yes.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying toothbrushes under 960390; toothbrushes should be classified under 960321-960329.
Mistakenly classifying paintbrushes under 960390; paintbrushes should be classified under 960330.
Mistakenly classifying brooms under 960390; brooms should be classified under 960310.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core criteria for classification are: whether the product is a brush, and whether it belongs to brush types not named under other subheadings under 9603. First, confirm that the product is a brush (including cleaning and coating tools composed of bristles and a handle). Second, exclude brushes that are specifically named, such as toothbrushes (960321-960329), paintbrushes (960330), and brooms (960310). Finally, if it is a brush for machines, appliances, or vehicles, it is still classified under 960390, but note that certain special-purpose brushes may be classified under other chapters (such as medical brushes under 9018). 960310 Brooms and brushes: 960310 includes brooms and brushes (excluding toothbrushes and paintbrushes), usually referring to brooms made of twigs or other plant materials, or simple brushes. 960390 is for other brushes; the difference is that 960310 has a specific heading, while 960390 is a residual category. 960321 Toothbrushes: 960321 specifically refers to toothbrushes, including dental toothbrushes. 960390 does not include toothbrushes; toothbrushes have a separate subheading. 960330 Paintbrushes: 960330 specifically refers to paintbrushes, including artists' brushes and makeup brushes. 960390 does not include paintbrushes; paintbrushes have a separate subheading. 960340 Paint rollers: 960340 specifically refers to paint rollers, including roller brushes. 960390 does not include paint rollers; paint rollers have a separate subheading. 960350 Other brushes: 960350 is another subheading under 9603, but according to the HS code table, 960350 may not exist and is actually 960390. The latest code table should be confirmed. Does it belong to brush-type goods? Has it already been classified under another subheading under 9603? Is it used for machines, appliances, or vehicles? Does it have a specialized function (such as medical use)? Does the material affect classification?
Basis
The core criteria for classification are: whether the product is a brush, and whether it belongs to brush types not named under other subheadings under 9603. First, confirm that the product is a brush (including cleaning and coating tools composed of bristles and a handle). Second, exclude brushes that are specifically named, such as toothbrushes (960321-960329), paintbrushes (960330), and brooms (960310). Finally, if it is a brush for machines, appliances, or vehicles, it is still classified under 960390, but note that certain special-purpose brushes may be classified under other chapters (such as medical brushes under 9018).
Confused Codes：
960310 - Brooms and brushes
960310 includes brooms and brushes (excluding toothbrushes and paintbrushes), usually referring to brooms made of twigs or other plant materials, or simple brushes. 960390 is for other brushes; the difference is that 960310 has a specific heading, while 960390 is a residual category.
960321 - Toothbrushes
960321 specifically refers to toothbrushes, including dental toothbrushes. 960390 does not include toothbrushes; toothbrushes have a separate subheading.
960330 - Paintbrushes
960330 specifically refers to paintbrushes, including artists' brushes and makeup brushes. 960390 does not include paintbrushes; paintbrushes have a separate subheading.
960340 - Paint rollers
960340 specifically refers to paint rollers, including roller brushes. 960390 does not include paint rollers; paint rollers have a separate subheading.
960350 - Other brushes
960350 is another subheading under 9603, but according to the HS code table, 960350 may not exist and is actually 960390. The latest code table should be confirmed.
Self-Check：
✓ Does it belong to brush-type goods?
✓ Has it already been classified under another subheading under 9603?
✓ Is it used for machines, appliances, or vehicles?
✓ Does it have a specialized function (such as medical use)?
✓ Does the material affect classification?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the import tariff rate for 960390? The import tariff rate must be determined according to the specific country, trade agreements, and country of origin. You can check the "Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" issued by the General Administration of Customs of China or query through the customs classification advance ruling system. You can also use the "Tariff Query" function on the official website of the General Administration of Customs by entering the HS code and country of origin to obtain the most-favored-nation rate, agreement rate, etc. What is the difference between 960390 and 960310? 960310 includes brooms and brushes (excluding toothbrushes, paintbrushes, etc.), usually referring to brooms made of plant materials or simple brushes; 960390 is for other brushes, including brushes not elsewhere specified, such as industrial brushes and household brushes. If the product is a broom or a simple brush, it should preferably be classified under 960310. Which code should toothbrushes be classified under? Toothbrushes should be classified under 960321 to 960329, depending on material and type. For example, plastic toothbrushes are classified under 960321, and toothbrushes of other materials under 960329. They should not be classified under 960390. Which code should paintbrushes and makeup brushes be classified under? Paintbrushes and makeup brushes are classified under 960330. This subheading includes artists' brushes, writing brushes, makeup brushes, etc. If they are industrial coating tools, they may be classified under 960390. Are machine brushes classified under 960390? Yes, brushes for machines, appliances, or vehicles, if not named under other subheadings under 9603, are classified under 960390. However, note that certain special machine brushes may be classified as machine parts; for example, brushes for textile machinery may be classified under 8448. What elements need attention when declaring 960390? It is necessary to declare the product name, use, material, brand, model, packaging specifications, machine use or not, etc. In particular, the use and material of the brush must be accurately described to avoid classification disputes. If it is a machine brush, relevant proof must be provided. What is the export tax rebate rate for 960390? The export tax rebate rate is adjusted periodically by the State Taxation Administration, and the latest export tax rebate rate database should be checked. Usually, the export tax rebate rate for brush products is between 9% and 13%, subject to the rate published by the tax authorities at the time of customs declaration. If a brush contains precious metal, is it still classified under 960390? If a brush contains precious metal (such as gold or silver) and the precious metal constitutes the main value, it may be classified under Chapter 71. However, generally, even if a brush has a small amount of precious metal decoration, it is still classified under 960390. The judgment should be based on the material and degree of processing.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 960390?
A: The import tariff rate must be determined according to the specific country, trade agreements, and country of origin. You can check the "Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China" issued by the General Administration of Customs of China or query through the customs classification advance ruling system. You can also use the "Tariff Query" function on the official website of the General Administration of Customs by entering the HS code and country of origin to obtain the most-favored-nation rate, agreement rate, etc.
Q: What is the difference between 960390 and 960310?
A: 960310 includes brooms and brushes (excluding toothbrushes, paintbrushes, etc.), usually referring to brooms made of plant materials or simple brushes; 960390 is for other brushes, including brushes not elsewhere specified, such as industrial brushes and household brushes. If the product is a broom or a simple brush, it should preferably be classified under 960310.
Q: Which code should toothbrushes be classified under?
A: Toothbrushes should be classified under 960321 to 960329, depending on material and type. For example, plastic toothbrushes are classified under 960321, and toothbrushes of other materials under 960329. They should not be classified under 960390.
Q: Which code should paintbrushes and makeup brushes be classified under?
A: Paintbrushes and makeup brushes are classified under 960330. This subheading includes artists' brushes, writing brushes, makeup brushes, etc. If they are industrial coating tools, they may be classified under 960390.
Q: Are machine brushes classified under 960390?
A: Yes, brushes for machines, appliances, or vehicles, if not named under other subheadings under 9603, are classified under 960390. However, note that certain special machine brushes may be classified as machine parts; for example, brushes for textile machinery may be classified under 8448.
Q: What elements need attention when declaring 960390?
A: It is necessary to declare the product name, use, material, brand, model, packaging specifications, machine use or not, etc. In particular, the use and material of the brush must be accurately described to avoid classification disputes. If it is a machine brush, relevant proof must be provided.
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for 960390?
A: The export tax rebate rate is adjusted periodically by the State Taxation Administration, and the latest export tax rebate rate database should be checked. Usually, the export tax rebate rate for brush products is between 9% and 13%, subject to the rate published by the tax authorities at the time of customs declaration.
Q: If a brush contains precious metal, is it still classified under 960390?
A: If a brush contains precious metal (such as gold or silver) and the precious metal constitutes the main value, it may be classified under Chapter 71. However, generally, even if a brush has a small amount of precious metal decoration, it is still classified under 960390. The judgment should be based on the material and degree of processing.
⚠️ 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.