Leather products Hs Code

Leather products harmonized system code

Product Overview Leather products classified under HS Code 420500 encompass articles made primarily of leather or composition leather, including handbags, whether or not with shoulder straps, with or without closures, and other carriers such as briefcases, school satchels, and similar containers. These products are characterized by high-quality, tanned leather materials processed through standardized methods such as vegetable tanning, chrome tanning, or synthetic tanning to ensure durability, flexibility, and resistance to wear. Typical physical specifications include dimensions that accommodate personal and professional carrying needs, reinforced stitching, metal fittings, and secure closures. The HS Code 420500 is subdivided into categories based on product type and function, incorporating handbags, shopping bags, wallets, and small leather goods designed for both personal and commercial use. Commercially, these products serve critical roles in sectors such as retail merchandising, professional transport of documents and goods, and food service packaging, where their robustness and aesthetic appeal meet operational requirements. Their value proposition lies in combining functional design with premium material quality, providing a competitive advantage in international markets due to compliance with global manufacturing and quality benchmarks. HS Code Classification & Trade Specifications The HS Code 420500 is structured hierarchically as follows: Chapter 42 (Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers), Heading 4205 (Other articles of leather or of composition leather), and Subheading 420500 (Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without closures, and other carriers). This classification is justified by the products’ primary composition—leather or composition leather—and their intended use for carrying personal and commercial items. Trade considerations for these products include packaging in reinforced cartons or crates to prevent deformation and moisture damage during transit, with preservation methods such as humidity control and anti-mold treatments to maintain leather integrity. Shipping requirements adhere to international standards, ensuring compliance with WTO agreements and customs documentation protocols. Quality standards typically reference ISO 17075 for leather testing and ASTM standards for material performance, ensuring measurable attributes such as tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and colorfastness meet global trade compliance. This classification facilitates efficient customs clearance and supports accurate tariff application, underlining its importance for import/export businesses and customs authorities.

Leather products Chapter Note

1.- For the purposes of this Chapter, the term “leather” includes chamois (including combination chamois) leather, patent leather, patent laminated leather and metallised leather. 2.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Sterile surgical catgut or similar sterile suture materials (heading 30.06); (b) Articles of apparel or clothing accessories (except gloves, mittens and mitts), lined with furskin or artificial fur or to which furskin or artificial fur is attached on the outside except as mere trimming (heading 43.03 or 43.04); (c) Made up articles of netting (heading 56.08); (d) Articles of Chapter 64; (e) Headgear or parts thereof of Chapter 65; (f) Whips, riding-crops or other articles of heading 66.02; (g) Cuff-links, bracelets or other imitation jewellery (heading 71.17); (h) Fittings or trimmings for harness, such as stirrups, bits, horse brasses and buckles, separately presented (generally Section XV); (ij) Strings, skins for drums or the like, or other parts of musical instruments (heading 92.09); (k) Articles of Chapter 94 (for example, furniture, luminaires and lighting fittings); (l) Articles of Chapter 95 (for example, toys, games, sports requisites); or (m) Buttons, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners, press-studs, button moulds or other parts of these articles, button blanks, of heading 96.06. 3.- (A) In addition to the provisions of Note 2 above, heading 42.02 does not cover : (a) Bags made of sheeting of plastics, whether or not printed, with handles, not designed for prolonged use (heading 39.23); (b) Articles of plaiting materials (heading 46.02). (B) Articles of headings 42.02 and 42.03 which have parts of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal, of natural or cultured pearls, of precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed) remain classified in those headings even if such parts constitute more than minor fittings or minor ornamentation, provided that these parts do not give the articles their essential character. If, on the other hand, the parts give the articles their essential character, the articles are to be classified in Chapter 71. 4.- For the purposes of heading 42.03, the expression “articles of apparel and clothing accessories” applies, inter alia, to gloves, mittens and mitts (including those for sport or for protection), aprons and other protective clothing, braces, belts, bandoliers and wrist straps, but excluding watch straps (heading 91.13).