Chapter 96 is the miscellaneous manufactured articles chapter in the HS classification system, covering a wide range of goods including animal brushes, brooms, paintbrushes, combs, hairpins, buttons, zippers, pens, pencils, typewriter ribbons, lighters, smoking pipes, toilet articles, vacuum flasks, etc. These goods typically have multiple materials or uses, making them difficult to classify under other more specific chapters. The core characteristic of this chapter is "goods not elsewhere specified or included," so when classifying, priority should be given to considering whether other chapters already cover the item. Heading 9615 covers combs, hairpins and similar articles, as well as wig formers, curling tongs, curling pins, hair rollers, etc., but the heading notes explicitly exclude electric appliances of Chapter 85. Specifically, it includes: combs of hard rubber or plastics, combs of other materials, hairpins, curling tongs, hair rollers, etc. Goods under this heading are mainly used for hair combing, styling, or fixing, with material and function being the key distinguishing factors. First 2 digits 96: indicates Chapter 96 "Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles," covering various goods not elsewhere specified. Digits 3-4: 15 indicates heading 9615 "Combs, hairpins and similar articles; wig formers, curling tongs, curling pins, hair rollers, etc.," under which goods are further subdivided by material and type. Digits 5-6: 11 indicates subheading 961511 "Combs of hard rubber or plastics," which is a specific classification of combs based on material (hard rubber or plastics). The complete code 961511 refers to combs made of hard rubber or plastics, excluding other materials (such as metal, wood) or electric combs. The goods are combs of hard rubber or plastics, falling under heading 9615, and the material matches the description of subheading 961511. They differ from combs of other materials (such as 961519), from electric combs (classified under 8509 or 8510), and from hairpins (961519) or curling tongs (961590). Therefore, based on material and function, classification under 961511 is most accurate.

Product Name: The Chinese and foreign language names of the declared goods, which should accurately reflect the product attributes, such as "hard plastic comb." Material: Detailed description of the main material of the comb, such as "hard rubber" or "plastics," and indicating whether it contains other components. Use: Description of the main use of the comb, such as "for hair combing" or "pet grooming," but note that pet combs may be classified under other codes. Brand: The brand name of the declared goods; if no brand, indicate "no brand." Model: The model or article number of the declared goods for easy identification of the specific product. Appearance: Description of the shape, dimensions, color, and other appearance features of the comb, such as "rectangular, approximately 15 cm long." Packaging Specifications: Description of the packaging method, such as "each piece individually packaged, 12 pieces per box." Product Name: Hard plastic comb; Material: Hard plastic (polypropylene); Use: For hair combing; Brand: No brand; Model: HC-2024; Appearance: Rectangular, approximately 15 cm long, 3 cm wide, black; Packaging Specifications: Each piece individually packaged in a plastic bag, 12 pieces per box. Mistakenly declaring hard plastic combs as "plastic combs" without emphasizing hardness, which may result in classification under other subheadings. Mistakenly declaring pet combs as personal combs; pet combs may actually be classified under 961519 or other codes. Omitting specific material composition, such as "plastic" without indicating whether it is hard or soft, affecting classification.

The core criteria for classification are: 1. Whether the goods are combs; 2. Whether the material is hard rubber or plastics; 3. Whether they are non-electric. According to the Import and Export Tariff and heading notes, 9615 covers combs, hairpins and similar articles, and subheading 961511 specifically refers to combs of hard rubber or plastics. If the material is other (such as metal, wood), they are classified under 961519; if they are electric combs, they are classified under 8509 or 8510. Therefore, material and function are the key determinants for classification. 961519 Combs of other materials: This code covers combs made of materials other than hard rubber or plastics (such as metal, wood, bone), as well as hairpins. The difference lies in the material. 961590 Other hairpins, curling tongs, etc.: This code covers hairpins, curling tongs, curling pins, etc., but does not include combs. The difference lies in function: combs are for combing, hairpins are for fixing. 8509 Electric appliances: Electric combs (such as electric heated combs) are classified under 8509 or 8510, not 9615. The difference lies in whether they are electric. 960329 Other shaving brushes, hair brushes, etc.: This code covers brushes such as hair brushes and shaving brushes, but combs and brushes have different structures: combs have teeth, brushes have bristles. Are the goods combs? Is the material hard rubber or plastics? Are they non-electric? Are they used for hair combing? Are they not classified under other more specific codes?

How to check the import tariff rate for 961511? You can check the MFN rate, general rate, etc. through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the Import and Export Tariff. Tariff rates may change; it is recommended to refer to the latest tariff. You can also use the customs classification advance ruling service for confirmation. How to distinguish hard plastic combs from ordinary plastic combs? Hard plastic generally refers to plastics with high rigidity and hardness that are not easily bent, such as polypropylene, ABS, etc.; ordinary plastic may refer to soft or elastic plastics. When classifying, judgment should be based on the specific physical properties of the material, and test reports should be provided if necessary. What code should pet combs be classified under? If pet combs are made of hard rubber or plastics and are used for pet hair grooming, they are generally also classified under 961511. However, if they are made of metal or are electric, they are classified under other codes. Judgment should be based on material and function. How to classify combs with mirrors? If a comb is combined with a mirror and the mirror is the primary function, it may be classified under 9615 or the mirror code (such as 7009). If the comb is the primary function, it is classified under 961511. Judgment should be based on the primary use. What declaration elements are required for importing combs? Generally, product name, material, use, brand, model, appearance, packaging specifications, etc. are required. Specific requirements are subject to customs requirements; it is recommended to refer to the "Catalogue of Specifications for Declaration of Import and Export Commodities of the People's Republic of China." What is the main difference between 961511 and 961519? The main difference lies in the material: 961511 specifically refers to combs of hard rubber or plastics, while 961519 covers combs of other materials (such as metal, wood, bone) and hairpins. The material must be accurately declared when classifying. What code are electric combs classified under? Electric combs are generally classified under 8509 (electric appliances) or 8510 (electric shavers, electric hair clippers), depending on the function. For example, electric heated combs are classified under 8509, and electric hair clippers are classified under 8510. How to avoid comb classification errors? Recommendations: 1. Accurately describe material and function; 2. Refer to heading notes and classification decisions; 3. Use customs advance classification services; 4. Keep product test reports. Ensure declaration information is consistent with the actual product.