HS code for handbags in the United States
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely codes
- 4202.21, 4202.22
- Candidate codes
- 3
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 20
- General duty (MFN)
- 5.3%, 10%, 9%, 16%
Summary
Handbags imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 4202.21 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather, and under 4202.22 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. Both sit in heading 42.02, “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”. Handbags can also fall under 4202.29, depending on the material. The tariff of the United States has 20 national lines under these codes. The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4202.21 and 4202.22 is 5.3%, 10%, 9% or 16%, depending on the line.
How to choose the right code
What is the outer surface made of: leather, plastic sheeting or textile, or something else? Use 4202.21 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather. Use 4202.22 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. Use 4202.29 when its outer surface is of another material.
Goods of mixed materials are generally classified by the material that gives them their essential character.
Codes for handbags
Each code is listed with its legal text from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, quoted as published, and the condition under which it applies to handbags.
- 4202.21
Most likely
Legal text: “Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handle: With outer surface of leather or of composition leather”
Heading 42.02: “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”
Applies when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather.
- 4202.22
Most likely
Legal text: “Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handle: With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials”
Heading 42.02: “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”
Applies when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials.
- 4202.29
Possible
Legal text: “Handbags, whether or not with shoulder strap, including those without handle: Other”
Heading 42.02: “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”
Applies when its outer surface is of another material.
National lines in the United States
The tariff of the United States splits these codes into 20 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4202.21 and 4202.22 is 5.3%, 10%, 9% or 16%, depending on the line. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Under 4202.21
- 4202.21.30.00“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Of reptile leather”5.3%
- 4202.21.60.00“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Other › Valued not over $20 each”10%
- 4202.21.90.00“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Other › Valued over $20 each”9%
Under 4202.22
- 4202.22.15.00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of sheeting of plastics”16%
- 4202.22.35.00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Wholly or in part of braid › Of abaca”8.4%
- 4202.22.40.10“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Wholly or in part of braid › Other › Containing 85 percent or more by weight of silk or silk waste”7.4%
- 4202.22.40.20“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Wholly or in part of braid › Other › Other › Of cotton (369)”7.4%
- 4202.22.40.30“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Wholly or in part of braid › Other › Other › Of man-made fibers (670)”7.4%
- 4202.22.40.40“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Wholly or in part of braid › Other › Other › Other (871)”7.4%
- 4202.22.45.00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Other › Of vegetable fibers and not of pile or tufted construction › Of cotton (369)”6.3%
- 4202.22.60.00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Other › Of vegetable fibers and not of pile or tufted construction › Other (871)”5.7%
- 4202.22.70.00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Other › Other › Containing 85 percent or more by weight of silk or silk waste”7%
- 4202.22.81.00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Other › Other › Of man-made fibers (670)”17.6%
- 4202.22.89.30“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Other › Other › Other › Of cotton (369)”17.6%
- 4202.22.89.70“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Other › Other › Other › Of paper yarn”17.6%
- 4202.22.89.80“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › With outer surface of textile materials › Other › Other › Other › Other (871)”17.6%
Under 4202.29
- 4202.29.10.00“Other › Of materials (other than leather, composition leather, sheeting of plastics, textile materials, vulcanized fiber or paperboard) wholly or mainly covered with paper › Of plastics”5.3%
- 4202.29.20.00“Other › Of materials (other than leather, composition leather, sheeting of plastics, textile materials, vulcanized fiber or paperboard) wholly or mainly covered with paper › Of wood”3.3%
- 4202.29.50.00“Other › Of materials (other than leather, composition leather, sheeting of plastics, textile materials, vulcanized fiber or paperboard) wholly or mainly covered with paper › Other”7.8%
- 4202.29.90.00“Other › Other”20%
Similar products
Products in the same category as handbags, or classified under the same headings.
- BackpacksHS 4202.92
- SuitcasesHS 4202.12
- WalletsHS 4202.31, 4202.32
- Leather beltsHS 4203.30
- SunglassesHS 9004.10
Check your exact product
Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code in the tariff of the United States with its reasons.
Classification depends on the exact product
The right code depends on what the product is made of, how it is made and what it is for, so two products sold as handbags can fall under different codes.
Guidance from published tariff data, not a binding ruling. For a decision customs must follow, apply to the destination’s customs authority for a binding tariff ruling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for handbags?
Handbags imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 4202.21 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather, and under 4202.22 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. Both sit in heading 42.02, “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”.
Does the material change the HS code for handbags?
Yes. Use 4202.21 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather. Use 4202.22 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. Use 4202.29 when its outer surface is of another material.
What is the duty on handbags imported into the United States?
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4202.21 and 4202.22 is 5.3%, 10%, 9% or 16%, depending on the line. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Sources and updates
The legal texts are from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The national lines are from the tariff release of the United States (2026HTSRev21), live on border.bot since 9 October 2026.
The duty rates are from the live rates release, live on border.bot since 9 October 2026.
The conditions and questions on this page were written for handbags by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again.
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