Chapter 96 covers miscellaneous articles under the Harmonized System, including processed animal raw materials, brushes, sieves, combs, smoking articles, buttons, zippers, pens, lighters, etc. These goods usually have specific functions but do not belong to other more specialized chapters (such as machinery, textiles, base metal articles, etc.). This chapter is characterized by a wide variety of products, and classification requires close attention to material and use. Heading 9615 includes combs, hair slides, hair curlers, curling tongs, hairbrushes and other hair-care articles, as well as similar household comb and brush articles. This heading covers combs of any material (except combs of hard rubber or plastics that constitute parts of goods of other headings), as well as various hair ornaments. The main distinguishing points are whether the item is a dedicated comb or hair ornament, and whether the material affects classification. First 2 digits 96: Chapter 96, miscellaneous articles. Digits 3-4, 15: Heading 9615, specifically combs, hair slides and similar articles; hair curlers, curling tongs, dyeing brushes, etc. Digits 5-6, 19: Subheading 961519, referring to combs of other materials. This subheading is further subdivided under 9615: 961511 for combs of hard rubber or plastics; 961519 for combs of other materials (such as metal, wood, bone, horn, ivory, etc.). Therefore, 961519 specifically refers to combs not of hard rubber or plastics. The goods are combs, but the material is not hard rubber or plastics, so they cannot be classified under 961511. At the same time, they are not hair slides, hair curlers, etc. of other headings such as 9615, so they are classified under 961519. If the comb is made of precious metal, it may be classified under Chapter 71; if it is a toy comb, it is classified under Chapter 95. Therefore, 961519 is the correct code for combs of other materials.
Chapter
Chapter 96 covers miscellaneous articles under the Harmonized System, including processed animal raw materials, brushes, sieves, combs, smoking articles, buttons, zippers, pens, lighters, etc. These goods usually have specific functions but do not belong to other more specialized chapters (such as machinery, textiles, base metal articles, etc.). This chapter is characterized by a wide variety of products, and classification requires close attention to material and use.
Heading
Heading 9615 includes combs, hair slides, hair curlers, curling tongs, hairbrushes and other hair-care articles, as well as similar household comb and brush articles. This heading covers combs of any material (except combs of hard rubber or plastics that constitute parts of goods of other headings), as well as various hair ornaments. The main distinguishing points are whether the item is a dedicated comb or hair ornament, and whether the material affects classification.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 96: Chapter 96, miscellaneous articles. Digits 3-4, 15: Heading 9615, specifically combs, hair slides and similar articles; hair curlers, curling tongs, dyeing brushes, etc. Digits 5-6, 19: Subheading 961519, referring to combs of other materials. This subheading is further subdivided under 9615: 961511 for combs of hard rubber or plastics; 961519 for combs of other materials (such as metal, wood, bone, horn, ivory, etc.). Therefore, 961519 specifically refers to combs not of hard rubber or plastics.
Classification Basis
The goods are combs, but the material is not hard rubber or plastics, so they cannot be classified under 961511. At the same time, they are not hair slides, hair curlers, etc. of other headings such as 9615, so they are classified under 961519. If the comb is made of precious metal, it may be classified under Chapter 71; if it is a toy comb, it is classified under Chapter 95. Therefore, 961519 is the correct code for combs of other materials.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared goods should be accurately described as "comb" or "hair comb", and the material should be indicated. Material: Detailed description of the main material of the comb, such as metal, wood, bone, horn, ivory, etc., avoiding the general term "other materials". Use: Explain the use of the comb, such as household, professional hairdressing, pet use, etc., which helps classification. Brand: Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand". Model: Declare the model of the goods; if there is no model, fill in "no model". Processing Method: Explain the processing method of the comb, such as injection molding, carving, polishing, etc. Packaging Specifications: Declare the packaging situation, such as each piece individually packaged, quantity per carton, etc. Product Name: Wooden hair comb; Material: Boxwood; Use: Household; Brand: No brand; Model: No model; Processing Method: Carving and polishing; Packaging Specifications: Each piece in an individual plastic bag, 100 pieces/carton. False material declaration, declaring a metal comb as a plastic comb, resulting in classification errors. Confusion of use, declaring a pet comb as a human comb, which may affect regulatory conditions. Omission of brand and model, causing customs to question inconsistency between documents and goods.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared goods should be accurately described as "comb" or "hair comb", and the material should be indicated.
⚠️ Writing only "comb" without indicating the material, or mistakenly writing it as "hair ornament".
Material
Detailed description of the main material of the comb, such as metal, wood, bone, horn, ivory, etc., avoiding the general term "other materials".
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring a metal comb as a plastic comb, or failing to distinguish hard rubber from ordinary rubber.
Use
Explain the use of the comb, such as household, professional hairdressing, pet use, etc., which helps classification.
⚠️ Mistakenly declaring a pet comb as a human comb, which may affect classification.
Brand
Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Brand inconsistent with the actual goods, or omission of brand declaration.
Model
Declare the model of the goods; if there is no model, fill in "no model".
⚠️ Incomplete or incorrect model entry.
Processing Method
Explain the processing method of the comb, such as injection molding, carving, polishing, etc.
⚠️ Failure to declare the processing method, affecting material determination.
Packaging Specifications
Declare the packaging situation, such as each piece individually packaged, quantity per carton, etc.
⚠️ Packaging specifications inconsistent with the actual situation.
Example： Product Name: Wooden hair comb; Material: Boxwood; Use: Household; Brand: No brand; Model: No model; Processing Method: Carving and polishing; Packaging Specifications: Each piece in an individual plastic bag, 100 pieces/carton.
Common Mistakes：
False material declaration, declaring a metal comb as a plastic comb, resulting in classification errors.
Confusion of use, declaring a pet comb as a human comb, which may affect regulatory conditions.
Omission of brand and model, causing customs to question inconsistency between documents and goods.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System. Heading 9615 includes combs, hair slides and similar articles; subheading 961511 is for those of hard rubber or plastics, and 961519 is for those of other materials. Therefore, material is the key distinction. If the comb is made of hard rubber or plastics, classify under 961511; if made of metal, wood, bone, horn, etc., classify under 961519. At the same time, note that if the comb is made of or clad with precious metal, it may be classified under Chapter 71; if it is a toy comb, classify under Chapter 95. 961511 Combs of hard rubber or plastics: Material is hard rubber or plastics, whereas 961519 is for other materials. 961590 Other hair ornaments: 961590 includes hair slides, hair curlers, etc., whereas 961519 refers only to combs. 711311 Jewellery of precious metal: If the comb is made of precious metal and has the nature of jewellery, classify under 7113, not 961519. 950300 Toys: If the comb is a toy comb, classify under 9503, not 961519. 960329 Other brushes: The difference between brushes and combs lies in bristle arrangement and use; combs usually have teeth, brushes have bristles. Is the material hard rubber or plastics? Is it made of or clad with precious metal? Is it a toy comb? Does it have other functions such as hair slide or hair curler? Does it belong to the brush category?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff and the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System. Heading 9615 includes combs, hair slides and similar articles; subheading 961511 is for those of hard rubber or plastics, and 961519 is for those of other materials. Therefore, material is the key distinction. If the comb is made of hard rubber or plastics, classify under 961511; if made of metal, wood, bone, horn, etc., classify under 961519. At the same time, note that if the comb is made of or clad with precious metal, it may be classified under Chapter 71; if it is a toy comb, classify under Chapter 95.
Confused Codes：
961511 - Combs of hard rubber or plastics
Material is hard rubber or plastics, whereas 961519 is for other materials.
961590 - Other hair ornaments
961590 includes hair slides, hair curlers, etc., whereas 961519 refers only to combs.
711311 - Jewellery of precious metal
If the comb is made of precious metal and has the nature of jewellery, classify under 7113, not 961519.
950300 - Toys
If the comb is a toy comb, classify under 9503, not 961519.
960329 - Other brushes
The difference between brushes and combs lies in bristle arrangement and use; combs usually have teeth, brushes have bristles.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material hard rubber or plastics?
✓ Is it made of or clad with precious metal?
✓ Is it a toy comb?
✓ Does it have other functions such as hair slide or hair curler?
✓ Does it belong to the brush category?
❓ FAQ
How to check the import tariff rate for 961519? You can check the latest tariff rate by entering HS code 961519 on the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Note that tariff rates may vary depending on trade agreements and country of origin. Should a wooden comb be classified under 961519 or 4421? A wooden comb, if it is a comb, should be classified under 961519. Chapter 44 covers wood and articles of wood, but combs are specifically listed in Chapter 96, so Chapter 96 takes precedence. Can a metal comb be classified under 961519? Yes. A metal comb is not made of hard rubber or plastics, so it is classified under 961519. However, if it is made of precious metal, it may be classified under Chapter 71. What code are pet combs classified under? Pet combs are generally also classified under 961519, but note that if they are dedicated pet brushes, they may be classified under 9603. The difference is that combs have teeth and brushes have bristles. What are the declaration elements for 961519? Usually include product name, material, use, brand, model, processing method, packaging specifications, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements. What regulatory conditions are required for importing combs? Generally, combs have no special regulatory conditions, but if they are made of ivory or endangered species materials, an import/export permit for endangered species is required. What is the main difference between 961519 and 961511? The main difference is material: 961511 is for combs of hard rubber or plastics, and 961519 is for combs of other materials, such as metal, wood, bone, etc. How to determine whether a comb is hard rubber? Hard rubber usually refers to vulcanized rubber with relatively high hardness that is not easily bent. If the comb is made of soft rubber or plastics, it is still classified under 961511.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for 961519?
A: You can check the latest tariff rate by entering HS code 961519 on the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or third-party query platforms. Note that tariff rates may vary depending on trade agreements and country of origin.
Q: Should a wooden comb be classified under 961519 or 4421?
A: A wooden comb, if it is a comb, should be classified under 961519. Chapter 44 covers wood and articles of wood, but combs are specifically listed in Chapter 96, so Chapter 96 takes precedence.
Q: Can a metal comb be classified under 961519?
A: Yes. A metal comb is not made of hard rubber or plastics, so it is classified under 961519. However, if it is made of precious metal, it may be classified under Chapter 71.
Q: What code are pet combs classified under?
A: Pet combs are generally also classified under 961519, but note that if they are dedicated pet brushes, they may be classified under 9603. The difference is that combs have teeth and brushes have bristles.
Q: What are the declaration elements for 961519?
A: Usually include product name, material, use, brand, model, processing method, packaging specifications, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for importing combs?
A: Generally, combs have no special regulatory conditions, but if they are made of ivory or endangered species materials, an import/export permit for endangered species is required.
Q: What is the main difference between 961519 and 961511?
A: The main difference is material: 961511 is for combs of hard rubber or plastics, and 961519 is for combs of other materials, such as metal, wood, bone, etc.
Q: How to determine whether a comb is hard rubber?
A: Hard rubber usually refers to vulcanized rubber with relatively high hardness that is not easily bent. If the comb is made of soft rubber or plastics, it is still classified under 961511.
⚠️ 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.