Chapter 96 covers miscellaneous articles under the Harmonized System, including carving and molding materials, brooms, brushes, sieves, travel sets, buttons, zippers, ballpoint pens, pencils, crayons, typewriter ribbons, ink pads, seals, lighters, smoking pipes, combs, hairpins, perfume sprayers, thermos bottles, tailor's dummies, vending machines, etc. These goods usually have multiple uses or are made of multiple materials, making it difficult to classify them by material into other chapters, so a separate chapter is established. Most goods in this chapter are finished products, but they are not classified by material; rather, they are grouped by function or use. Heading 9611 specifically covers hand-operated date seals, sealing stamps, numbering stamps and similar stamps, as well as hand-operated ink pads, punches, staplers, etc. The core of this heading is "stamp" type tools, including date stamps, address stamps, signature stamps, bank stamps, postmarks, etc., regardless of their material (metal, rubber, plastic, wood) or whether they have a self-inking device. However, electric or power-operated stamping equipment is not classified under this heading, but should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85. Code 961100 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits "96" represent Chapter 96 "Miscellaneous articles," covering various manufactured articles not listed in other chapters; digits 3-4 "11" represent heading 9611 "Hand-operated date, sealing or numbering stamps and the like; hand-operated ink pads, punches, staplers"; digits 5-6 "00" indicate that there is no further subdivision under this heading, and all stamp-type goods meeting the heading description are classified under this code. Therefore, the complete meaning of 961100 is: hand-operated date stamps and similar stamps, regardless of their specific type or material, are uniformly classified under this six-digit code. The product is a hand-operated stamping tool, functionally used for imprinting dates, numbers, or text, which conforms to the description of heading 9611 "date stamps and similar stamps." It does not belong to mechanical appliances of Chapter 84 (such as electric stamping machines), nor to printed matter of Chapter 49 or pigments of Chapter 32 (such as printing ink). The stamp itself is a tool, not printed matter or a chemical product, so it is classified under 9611. If it is an electric or power-operated stamping device, it should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85.
Chapter
Chapter 96 covers miscellaneous articles under the Harmonized System, including carving and molding materials, brooms, brushes, sieves, travel sets, buttons, zippers, ballpoint pens, pencils, crayons, typewriter ribbons, ink pads, seals, lighters, smoking pipes, combs, hairpins, perfume sprayers, thermos bottles, tailor's dummies, vending machines, etc. These goods usually have multiple uses or are made of multiple materials, making it difficult to classify them by material into other chapters, so a separate chapter is established. Most goods in this chapter are finished products, but they are not classified by material; rather, they are grouped by function or use.
Heading
Heading 9611 specifically covers hand-operated date seals, sealing stamps, numbering stamps and similar stamps, as well as hand-operated ink pads, punches, staplers, etc. The core of this heading is "stamp" type tools, including date stamps, address stamps, signature stamps, bank stamps, postmarks, etc., regardless of their material (metal, rubber, plastic, wood) or whether they have a self-inking device. However, electric or power-operated stamping equipment is not classified under this heading, but should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85.
Digit Breakdown
Code 961100 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits "96" represent Chapter 96 "Miscellaneous articles," covering various manufactured articles not listed in other chapters; digits 3-4 "11" represent heading 9611 "Hand-operated date, sealing or numbering stamps and the like; hand-operated ink pads, punches, staplers"; digits 5-6 "00" indicate that there is no further subdivision under this heading, and all stamp-type goods meeting the heading description are classified under this code. Therefore, the complete meaning of 961100 is: hand-operated date stamps and similar stamps, regardless of their specific type or material, are uniformly classified under this six-digit code.
Classification Basis
The product is a hand-operated stamping tool, functionally used for imprinting dates, numbers, or text, which conforms to the description of heading 9611 "date stamps and similar stamps." It does not belong to mechanical appliances of Chapter 84 (such as electric stamping machines), nor to printed matter of Chapter 49 or pigments of Chapter 32 (such as printing ink). The stamp itself is a tool, not printed matter or a chemical product, so it is classified under 9611. If it is an electric or power-operated stamping device, it should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The Chinese and foreign language name of the declared product should be specific and clear, such as "manual date stamp," "rubber sealing stamp," etc. Brand: Fill in the product brand. If there is no brand, fill in "no brand" or "unbranded," and it must be consistent with the actual product. Material: Material of the stamp body and stamp face, such as "metal + rubber," "plastic + rubber," "wood + rubber," etc. Function: Explain the purpose of the stamp, such as "for imprinting dates," "for imprinting numbers," "for sealing," etc. Operation method: Clearly state "manual" or "electric." Manual stamps are classified under 9611, and electric stamps under Chapter 84. Whether self-inking: State whether it has a self-inking device. This device does not affect classification under 9611, but affects the completeness of declaration elements. Model: Fill in the product model or item number. If there is no model, fill in "no model" to facilitate customs identification. Packaging specification: Fill in the unit packaging quantity, such as "12 pcs/box," "50 pcs/carton," etc., for statistics and inspection. Product name: manual date stamp; Brand: no brand; Material: plastic body + rubber stamp face; Function: for imprinting dates; Operation method: manual; Whether self-inking: no; Model: DS-2024; Packaging specification: 12 pcs/box. This stamp is hand-operated and used for imprinting dates in offices, conforming to the description of heading 9611, classified under code 961100. Mistakenly classifying an electric stamp under 9611, when it should actually be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85. Declaring an ink pad separately as 9611, but if the ink pad is imported together with the stamp, they should be classified separately. Ignoring the key condition of "hand-operated," resulting in incorrect declaration of a power-operated stamp.
Product name
The Chinese and foreign language name of the declared product should be specific and clear, such as "manual date stamp," "rubber sealing stamp," etc.
⚠️ Writing only "stamp" is too general and does not distinguish manual/electric, which can easily lead to classification disputes.
Brand
Fill in the product brand. If there is no brand, fill in "no brand" or "unbranded," and it must be consistent with the actual product.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the manufacturer's name as the brand, or omitting the brand, leading to intellectual property risks.
Material
Material of the stamp body and stamp face, such as "metal + rubber," "plastic + rubber," "wood + rubber," etc.
⚠️ Writing only "rubber" without specifying the body material, or ignoring the material of the self-inking device.
Function
Explain the purpose of the stamp, such as "for imprinting dates," "for imprinting numbers," "for sealing," etc.
⚠️ Vague function description, such as "for office use," which does not reflect date or similar stamp characteristics.
Operation method
Clearly state "manual" or "electric." Manual stamps are classified under 9611, and electric stamps under Chapter 84.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring an electric stamp as manual, resulting in classification errors.
Whether self-inking
State whether it has a self-inking device. This device does not affect classification under 9611, but affects the completeness of declaration elements.
⚠️ Omitting self-inking information, causing customs to question the product attributes.
Model
Fill in the product model or item number. If there is no model, fill in "no model" to facilitate customs identification.
⚠️ The model does not match the actual product, or an internal code is used that cannot be corresponded to.
Packaging specification
Fill in the unit packaging quantity, such as "12 pcs/box," "50 pcs/carton," etc., for statistics and inspection.
⚠️ The packaging specification does not match the invoice, or omission makes quantity verification difficult.
Example： Product name: manual date stamp; Brand: no brand; Material: plastic body + rubber stamp face; Function: for imprinting dates; Operation method: manual; Whether self-inking: no; Model: DS-2024; Packaging specification: 12 pcs/box. This stamp is hand-operated and used for imprinting dates in offices, conforming to the description of heading 9611, classified under code 961100.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying an electric stamp under 9611, when it should actually be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85.
Declaring an ink pad separately as 9611, but if the ink pad is imported together with the stamp, they should be classified separately.
Ignoring the key condition of "hand-operated," resulting in incorrect declaration of a power-operated stamp.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: whether the product is a hand-operated stamp and used for imprinting dates, numbers, text, or similar purposes. Heading 9611 explicitly includes date stamps, sealing stamps, numbering stamps and similar stamps, as well as hand-operated ink pads, punches, and staplers. If the stamp has an electric or pneumatic device, it does not belong to 9611 and should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85 according to the machine type. In addition, the material, brand, and whether it is self-inking do not affect classification under 9611, but must be truthfully provided at declaration. 961100 Date stamps and similar stamps: This code covers manual stamps, including date stamps, sealing stamps, numbering stamps, etc. The core feature is hand operation. 847290 Other office machines: Electric or power-operated stamping equipment is classified under this code, such as automatic stamping machines, whose power source is not manual. 961220 Ink pads: When imported separately, ink pads are classified under 9612, but if imported as a set with stamps, they should be classified separately and cannot be declared together. 321590 Ink: Printing ink and ink are chemical products classified under Chapter 32, different in nature from stamp tools. 482110 Printed matter: Imprints made by stamps are not printed matter. Printed matter is images and text on paper or other carriers, classified under Chapter 49. Is it hand-operated? Is it used for imprinting dates or similar purposes? Does it have an electric or pneumatic device? Is it in a set with an ink pad? If so, they must be classified separately. Does the material affect classification? It does not, but it must be declared.
Basis
The core basis for classification is: whether the product is a hand-operated stamp and used for imprinting dates, numbers, text, or similar purposes. Heading 9611 explicitly includes date stamps, sealing stamps, numbering stamps and similar stamps, as well as hand-operated ink pads, punches, and staplers. If the stamp has an electric or pneumatic device, it does not belong to 9611 and should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85 according to the machine type. In addition, the material, brand, and whether it is self-inking do not affect classification under 9611, but must be truthfully provided at declaration.
Confused Codes：
961100 - Date stamps and similar stamps
This code covers manual stamps, including date stamps, sealing stamps, numbering stamps, etc. The core feature is hand operation.
847290 - Other office machines
Electric or power-operated stamping equipment is classified under this code, such as automatic stamping machines, whose power source is not manual.
961220 - Ink pads
When imported separately, ink pads are classified under 9612, but if imported as a set with stamps, they should be classified separately and cannot be declared together.
321590 - Ink
Printing ink and ink are chemical products classified under Chapter 32, different in nature from stamp tools.
482110 - Printed matter
Imprints made by stamps are not printed matter. Printed matter is images and text on paper or other carriers, classified under Chapter 49.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it hand-operated?
✓ Is it used for imprinting dates or similar purposes?
✓ Does it have an electric or pneumatic device?
✓ Is it in a set with an ink pad? If so, they must be classified separately.
✓ Does the material affect classification? It does not, but it must be declared.
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between manual date stamps and electric stamps? Manual date stamps are classified under 961100, while electric stamps, because they have a power device, are mechanical appliances and should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85, depending on the functional principle. For example, automatic stamping machines are usually classified under 847290. Be sure to distinguish the operation method when declaring. Does the material of the stamp affect the HS code? No. Whether the stamp is metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, as long as it meets the description of "hand-operated" and "date stamps and similar stamps," it is classified under 961100. However, material is one of the declaration elements and must be truthfully filled in. How should stamps and ink pads imported together be declared? If the stamps and ink pads are separately packaged, they should be classified separately: stamps under 961100, ink pads under 961220. If they are packaged as a set and used together, it is still recommended to declare them separately because their HS codes are different, and combined declaration may lead to classification errors. Which code are self-inking stamps classified under? Self-inking stamps are still hand-operated stamps and are classified under 961100. The self-inking device does not affect classification, but "whether self-inking" must be noted at declaration so that customs can confirm the product attributes. Does the stamp ink need to be declared separately? If the stamp ink is imported together with the stamp and is separately packaged, it should be classified separately under Chapter 32 (such as 321590). If the ink has been injected into the stamp, it is part of the stamp and is classified under 961100 with the stamp. How can I check the import tariff rate for 961100? Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and country of origin. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the customs administration, the international trade single window, or by consulting a customs broker. Also pay attention to preferential rates under free trade agreements. What are the consequences of filling in the wrong HS code for cross-border e-commerce sales of stamps? Filling in the wrong HS code may lead to customs inspection, detention of goods, fines, and even affect the enterprise's credit rating. In addition, an incorrect code may result in the application of the wrong tariff rate, causing underpayment or overpayment of taxes. It is recommended to declare truthfully and consult professionals. Are stamps intellectual property goods? What should be noted when declaring? If the stamp bears a well-known brand logo or copyright-protected pattern, it may involve intellectual property. When declaring, a brand authorization letter or relevant proof must be provided to avoid infringement risks. If there is no brand, fill in "no brand."
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between manual date stamps and electric stamps?
A: Manual date stamps are classified under 961100, while electric stamps, because they have a power device, are mechanical appliances and should be classified under Chapter 84 or Chapter 85, depending on the functional principle. For example, automatic stamping machines are usually classified under 847290. Be sure to distinguish the operation method when declaring.
Q: Does the material of the stamp affect the HS code?
A: No. Whether the stamp is metal, plastic, rubber, or wood, as long as it meets the description of "hand-operated" and "date stamps and similar stamps," it is classified under 961100. However, material is one of the declaration elements and must be truthfully filled in.
Q: How should stamps and ink pads imported together be declared?
A: If the stamps and ink pads are separately packaged, they should be classified separately: stamps under 961100, ink pads under 961220. If they are packaged as a set and used together, it is still recommended to declare them separately because their HS codes are different, and combined declaration may lead to classification errors.
Q: Which code are self-inking stamps classified under?
A: Self-inking stamps are still hand-operated stamps and are classified under 961100. The self-inking device does not affect classification, but "whether self-inking" must be noted at declaration so that customs can confirm the product attributes.
Q: Does the stamp ink need to be declared separately?
A: If the stamp ink is imported together with the stamp and is separately packaged, it should be classified separately under Chapter 32 (such as 321590). If the ink has been injected into the stamp, it is part of the stamp and is classified under 961100 with the stamp.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 961100?
A: Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and country of origin. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the official website of the customs administration, the international trade single window, or by consulting a customs broker. Also pay attention to preferential rates under free trade agreements.
Q: What are the consequences of filling in the wrong HS code for cross-border e-commerce sales of stamps?
A: Filling in the wrong HS code may lead to customs inspection, detention of goods, fines, and even affect the enterprise's credit rating. In addition, an incorrect code may result in the application of the wrong tariff rate, causing underpayment or overpayment of taxes. It is recommended to declare truthfully and consult professionals.
Q: Are stamps intellectual property goods? What should be noted when declaring?
A: If the stamp bears a well-known brand logo or copyright-protected pattern, it may involve intellectual property. When declaring, a brand authorization letter or relevant proof must be provided to avoid infringement risks. If there is no brand, fill in "no brand."
⚠️ 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.