HTS Code 960500: Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning (other than manicure and pedicure sets of heading 8214) — 2026 US Tariff Rates
Quick Answer
HTS 960500 = Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning (other than manicure and pedicure sets of heading 8214)
Duty rate: 8.1% · Unit: 96-digit · Column 1: 8.1%
Complete Classification Table
All 8-digit and 10-digit tariff codes under HTS subheading 960500. Use this table to find the correct statistical suffix and applicable duty rate for your product.
| HTS Code | Full Description | General Rate | Special Rate | Column 2 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
9605.00.00.00 |
Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning (other than manicure and pedicure sets of heading 8214) | 8.1% | Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | 45% |
Quick Answer: HTS 960500 Duty Rates
HTS subheading 960500 (travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning (other than manicure and pedicure sets of heading 8214)) contains 1 sub-classification.
Suffix 9605.00.00.00: General rate 8.1%, Special (FTA): Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG).
Always verify with CBP — Section 301, Section 232, and ADD/CVD may apply.
At a Glance
- The General duty rate for HTS 960500 is 8.1% · 1 statistical suffix · 0 duty-free.
- 1 sub-classification offer Special (FTA) rate preferences — check the Special column for USMCA, KORUS, and other FTA eligibility.
- This code falls under a chapter covering products classified under this chapter.
What Importers Need to Know About HTS Chapter 96
This subheading falls under an HTS chapter covering products classified under this heading of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Importers of these products should be aware of the following trade compliance considerations:
Importers should verify classification with CBP or a licensed customs broker. Check whether Section 301, Section 232, or anti-dumping/countervailing duties apply to your product based on country of origin and specific HTS classification.
For the specific subheading HTS 960500, we recommend you:
- Verify the correct 10-digit statistical suffix — even within a 6-digit subheading, duty rates can differ significantly between suffixes
- Check FTA eligibility — if your product qualifies for preferential treatment under USMCA, KORUS, or another FTA, you may reduce or eliminate duties by providing the required origin certification
- Monitor for trade remedy changes — Section 301, Section 232, and anti-dumping duties are updated periodically. A rate that was correct last quarter may have changed
- Consult CBP resources — for binding classification rulings, CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division provides written determinations
Importing Under HTS 960500: What Importers Ask
How do I verify the correct HTS classification before importing?
Request a binding ruling from CBP's National Commodity Specialist Division. The ruling is valid for 5 years and is binding on all CBP ports. Alternatively, consult a licensed customs broker for a classification opinion. Misclassification can result in retroactive duties and Section 592 penalties.
Can I get duty-free treatment under an FTA for this product?
Check the Special rate column on this page for FTA preferences. If a preferential rate is listed, verify your product meets the FTA's specific rules of origin. All FTAs require origin certification — USMCA, KORUS, and others have specific documentation requirements.
What documentation is required at the port of entry?
At minimum: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary). Depending on the product, additional documentation may include FTA certificate of origin, FDA prior notice, USDA phytosanitary certificate, or TSCA certification. CBP may request the foreign supplier's manufacturing records.
Duty Estimator
This page lists rates that may be ad valorem, specific, compound, or quota-based. The automatic estimator is intentionally disabled so a quantity-based rate is never mistaken for a percentage. Use the exact suffix, unit of quantity, origin, and current CBP guidance before calculating a shipment.
Duty Calculation Tips for HTS 960500
Chapter 96 base rates are generally low and often duty-free, but several products carry notable trade remedies. Ball-point and felt-tip pens and markers from China have faced US anti-dumping duties, and brushes, combs, and lighters are frequently on Section 301 lists. Because the chapter is a residual, small classification differences (e.g., a mechanical pencil vs. a ball-point pen, or a brush of pig bristle vs. synthetic) can shift both the heading and any applicable remedy. Verify the exact article composition before relying on a free-rate assumption.
HTS Chapter 96 Classification Guide: Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles
Chapter 96 is the catch-all for manufactured articles that do not fit a more specific chapter — brooms and brushes (9603), travel sets for personal toilet/sewing (9605), buttons and press-fasteners (9606), slide fasteners (zippers, 9607), ball-point and felt-tip pens (9608), pencils (9609), writing chalk and drawing charcoal (9610), date/sealing stamps (9611), typewriter and similar ribbons (9612), lighters and lighters parts (9613), smoking pipes and cigar holders (9614), combs, hair slides and similar (9615), perfume atomizers and powder puffs (9616), and thermos flasks and vacuum vessels (9617). Because it is a residual chapter, the cardinal rule is to exhaust the more specific chapters first before classifying here. Many items, especially brushes, pens, and lighters, also face anti-dumping and Section 301 scrutiny on Chinese imports.
Common Misclassification Errors
- Classifying ball-point pens and markers by their plastic body under Chapter 39 — pens and markers are heading 9608 regardless of housing material
- Classifying brooms with a handle of wood under Chapter 44 — complete brooms and brushes are heading 9603 even if partly of wood or plastic
- Misclassifying slide fasteners (zippers) as parts of clothing under Chapter 61/62 when zippers of base metal or plastic are heading 9607
Chapter 96 Frequently Asked Questions
Are pens and markers classified in Chapter 96?
Yes, ball-point pens, felt-tip and other porous-tip pens, markers, fountain pens, and mechanical pencils are classified in heading 9608, regardless of whether the barrel is plastic, metal, or another material.
Are brooms and brushes classified under their handle material?
No. Brooms, brushes (including brushes that are parts of machines only if separate), and hand-operated mechanical floor sweepers are classified in heading 9603 of Chapter 96 even if they have wooden or plastic handles.
Are zippers classified in Chapter 96?
Yes, slide fasteners (zippers) and their parts are classified in heading 9607, whether of base metal or plastic. They are not classified with the garments or bags into which they are sewn.
Do Chinese pens and stationery face anti-dumping duties?
Chinese-origin ball-point pens and certain writing instruments have been subject to US anti-dumping duties. Verify the current ADD orders and Section 301 status for your specific product and exporter.
Where are lighters classified?
Lighters and lighter parts, whether pocket, table, or gas, are classified in heading 9613 of Chapter 96. Do not confuse them with cigarette-making or smoking pipes of heading 9614.
Official Sources
PoliteDraft recommends verifying duty rates directly with official government sources before filing import documentation.
Independent editors organize official USITC HTS data and explain how to check the exact suffix, unit, origin, and trade remedies. This site is a research reference, not a customs broker, attorney, or classification opinion.
Related HTS Codes in This Section
Browse All HTS Codes in This Section
See the complete list of HTS subheadings under the same section as 960500.
View Section Overview →<strong>Editorial note:</strong> The first listed General rate for HTS 960500 (Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes c) is 8.1%. Rates can differ by suffix, origin, and trade remedy; verify the exact line in the current USITC schedule and with CBP or a licensed customs broker.