Chapter 42 HS Codes: Chapter 42 Commodities
CHAPTER DEFINITION & SCOPE
HS Chapter 42 of the WCO Harmonized System covers chapter 42 commodities. It groups 5 4-digit WCO headings and 20 6-digit subheadings under the official 2026 customs nomenclature [USITC HTS 2026].
Chapter
Ch 42
Headings
5 Headings
Subheadings
20 HS6
US Tariff Status
Active 2026
Chapter 42 4-Digit Headings Directory
| Heading | WCO Heading Description | Subheading Count | Directory Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heading 4201 | Saddlery and harness for any animal (including traces, leads, knee pads, muzzles, saddle cloths, saddle bags, dog coats and the like), of any material | 1 subheadings | Browse Heading 4201 → |
| Heading 4202 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; traveling bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toiletry bags, knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanized fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper | 12 subheadings | Browse Heading 4202 → |
| Heading 4203 | Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, of leather or of composition leather | 5 subheadings | Browse Heading 4203 → |
| Heading 4205 | Other articles of leather or of composition leather | 1 subheadings | Browse Heading 4205 → |
| Heading 4206 | Articles of gut (other than silkworm gut), of goldbeater's skin, of bladders or of tendons | 1 subheadings | Browse Heading 4206 → |
Chapter 42 Subheading Sample & MFN Duty Rates
| HS Code | Subheading Description | Heading | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4201.00 | Saddlery and harness for any animal (including traces, leads, knee pads, muzzles, saddle cloths, saddle bags, dog coats and the like), of any material | 4201 | View 4201.00 → |
| 4202.11 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels and similar containers, With outer surface of leather or of composition leather | 4202 | View 4202.11 → |
| 4202.12 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels and similar containers, With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials | 4202 | View 4202.12 → |
| 4202.19 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels and similar containers, Other | 4202 | View 4202.19 → |
| 4202.21 | Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handle, With outer surface of leather or of composition leather | 4202 | View 4202.21 → |
| 4202.22 | Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handle, With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials | 4202 | View 4202.22 → |
| 4202.29 | Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handle, Other | 4202 | View 4202.29 → |
| 4202.31 | Articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, With outer surface of leather or of composition leather | 4202 | View 4202.31 → |
| 4202.32 | Articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials | 4202 | View 4202.32 → |
| 4202.39 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; traveling bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toiletry bags, knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanized fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper, Articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag, Other | 4202 | View 4202.39 → |
| 4202.91 | Other, With outer surface of leather or of composition leather | 4202 | View 4202.91 → |
| 4202.92 | Other, With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials | 4202 | View 4202.92 → |
| 4202.99 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; traveling bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toiletry bags, knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanized fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper, Other, Other | 4202 | View 4202.99 → |
| 4203.10 | Articles of apparel | 4203 | View 4203.10 → |
| 4203.21 | Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, of leather or of composition leather, Gloves, mittens and mitts, Specially designed for use in sports | 4203 | View 4203.21 → |
EXPERT CLASSIFICATION PRO TIPS
Common Pitfalls When Classifying Chapter 42 Goods
- Always review WCO Section and Chapter Legal Notes before assigning 4-digit headings.
- Distinguish carefully between unprocessed raw materials and further prepared or processed articles.
- Verify Partner Government Agency (PGA) flags for agriculture, food, or chemical items.
- Cross-reference official CBP CROSS rulings for binding precedents on mixed or composite goods.
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
USITC HTS Chapter 42 Tariff ↗
United States International Trade Commission official Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
CBP CROSS Rulings ↗
Customs Rulings Online Search System for Chapter 42 binding classification precedents.
WCO HS Nomenclature ↗
World Customs Organization international 6-digit Harmonized System backbone standard.
U.S. Census Foreign Trade ↗
U.S. Census Bureau trade statistics and Schedule B concordance portal.
Chapter 42 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What commodities are covered under HS Chapter 42?
Chapter 42 (Chapter 42 Commodities) covers WCO Harmonized System 4-digit headings from 4201 upward, encompassing primary goods, raw materials, and manufactured articles within this nomenclature section.
How many 4-digit headings exist in HS Chapter 42?
Chapter 42 contains 5 official 4-digit WCO headings and 20 6-digit tariff subheadings.
What is the US general import duty range for Chapter 42 commodities?
Base customs duties under Chapter 42 range from 0.0% (Duty-Free) up to representative MFN rate limits depending on 10-digit HTS statistical suffix extensions.
Do Section 301 China tariffs apply to Chapter 42 imports?
Section 301 tariffs depend on specific 8-digit HTS subheadings. Importers must verify if their exact HTS code appears on USTR Lists 1 through 4A.
Are Partner Government Agency (PGA) permits required for Chapter 42?
PGA message-set flags (such as FDA, USDA APHIS, EPA, or CITES) apply conditionally depending on the commodity classification within Chapter 42.
How are products classified between adjacent headings in Chapter 42?
Classification follows WCO General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 through 6, prioritizing specific heading terms over general descriptions.
Can Chapter 42 goods enter duty-free under USMCA or Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in USMCA member states (US, Mexico, Canada) or FTA partners enter duty-free under SPI code P, KR, AU, or CL with a valid Certificate of Origin.
What is the Section 321 de minimis limit for Chapter 42 shipments?
Eligible commercial shipments valued at $800 USD or less imported by one person on one day may enter duty-free under 19 U.S.C. 1321.
What documents are required for formal entry of Chapter 42 goods?
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, and entry summary CBP Form 7501 are mandatory for entries exceeding $2,500 USD.
How can an importer obtain a binding CBP ruling for Chapter 42?
Importers may submit an e-Ruling application under 19 CFR Part 177 to CBP National Commodity Specialist Division.