Key facts
- Most likely codes
- 4202.21, 4202.22
- Candidate codes
- 3
- HS edition
- HS2022
Summary
Handbags 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.
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.
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
Duty rates by country
National tariff lines for handbags are live for the United States. Each page lists the lines under the codes above, with their duty rates where they are live.
- Handbags in United States16 national lines, duty rates live
Check your exact product
Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code 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 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.
Sources and updates
The legal texts are from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, live on border.bot since 11 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.