HS-2 · Chapter 05
HS chapter 05: Products of animal origin
Section I — live animals; animal products
Goods classified under this chapter include animal-origin products not specified elsewhere, such as unworked human hair or animal parts like bristles and skins. For example, if you're importing unprocessed human hair for wig manufacturing, you'll refer to this chapter for the correct classification.
To determine the appropriate HS-4 code, first identify the specific product type. For instance, if you're dealing with animal guts, you would look at 0504. Pay attention to the product's state—whether fresh, dried, or treated—as this can influence the correct subheading.
Next, drill down to HS-6 by checking the title text and any relevant notes for additional specifications. For example, if you're importing feathers, you might consider 0505, but ensure they meet the criteria of being cleaned or treated for preservation to avoid misclassification.
Be mindful of similar products that might cause confusion, such as animal waste or parts that could fit multiple categories. Always verify the end-use and processing state to ensure compliance with regulations and accurate tariff application.
Terms & reference phrasing
These phrases describe how this chapter is discussed in trade, customs, and search—they stay on this page for context; they are not search shortcuts.
animal products · human hair · animal guts · bristles · feathers · bones · ivory · coral · ambergris · animal waste · unworked animal parts · animal skins · pharmaceutical animal products · animal by-products · unprocessed animal materials · animal-derived goods · animal parts classification · tariff codes for animal products
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Related topics
Longer phrases that come up when you're comparing codes or talking to a broker.
- classification of animal products not specified elsewhere
- how to classify unworked human hair for import
- requirements for importing animal guts and bladders
- determining HS-4 for animal feathers and down
- packaging guidelines for animal-origin products
- understanding HS-6 codes for animal parts
- importing animal products for pharmaceutical use
- navigating tariff codes for animal-derived goods
Examples & common questions
Example products are typical trade descriptions. Questions below are how people often frame classification for this chapter—use them as reading context, then confirm against your tariff book and legal notes.
Example products
- Unworked human hair for wig production
- Bristles from pigs for brush manufacturing
- Animal guts for sausage casing
- Feathers for insulation or bedding products
- Bones for pet food or bone meal
- Ivory for crafting or jewelry
- Coral for decorative purposes
- Ambergris for perfumery
Common classification questions
- What is the HS code for unworked human hair?
- How do I classify animal guts for import?
- What are the requirements for importing animal parts?
- Is there a specific code for animal feathers?
- How to determine HS-6 for animal products?
- What are the packaging requirements for animal-origin goods?
- Can I import animal waste under HS chapter 05?
- What notes should I check for animal products classification?
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What types of animal products are included in HS chapter 05?
- HS chapter 05 includes unworked human hair, animal bristles, guts, feathers, bones, ivory, coral, and other animal-origin products not specified elsewhere.
- How do I determine the correct HS-4 code for my product?
- Identify the specific product type and its state (e.g., fresh, dried, treated) to find the corresponding HS-4 code. Check the title text for clarity.
- Are there any special notes I should consider when classifying animal products?
- Yes, always review the notes associated with the HS codes for any specific conditions or exceptions that may apply to your product.
- Can I import animal parts that are not fit for human consumption?
- Yes, products like dead animals unfit for consumption are classified under HS code **0511**, which covers animal products not specified elsewhere.
- What should I check if my product could fit multiple HS codes?
- Verify the end-use and processing state of the product to ensure accurate classification and compliance with trade regulations.
All HS-4 headings in chapter 05 (9)
Each HS-4 links to a dedicated page with plain-English explanation, HS-6 subheadings, and FAQs. Use Browse to open the lookup in heading mode for that line.
| HS-4 | WCO heading text | Browse |
|---|---|---|
| 0501 | Human hair; unworked, whether or not washed or scoured; waste of human hair | |
| 0502 | Pigs', hogs' or boars' bristles and hair; and waste thereof | |
| 0504 | Guts, bladders and stomachs of animals (other than fish); whole and pieces thereof, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked | |
| 0505 | Skins and other parts of birds with feathers, down; feathers, down and parts thereof; not further worked than cleaned, disinfected, treated for preservation; powder, waste and parts of feathers | |
| 0506 | Bones and horn-cores, unworked, defatted, simply prepared (but not cut to shape), treated with acid or degelatinised; powder and waste of these products | |
| 0507 | Ivory, tortoise-shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns, antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks unworked or simply prepared, not cut to shape; waste and powder of these products | |
| 0508 | Coral and similar materials, unworked or simply prepared, shells of molluscs, crustaceans or echinoderms and cuttle-bone, not cut to shape powder and waste thereof | |
| 0510 | Ambergris, castoreum, civet and musk; cantharides; bile, dried or not glands, other animal products used in preparation of pharmaceutical products, fresh chilled, frozen or otherwise provisionally preserved | |
| 0511 | Animal products not elsewhere specified or included; dead animals of chapter 1 or 3, unfit for human consumption |
Browse first heading (HS-4 0501)
Opens the lookup in heading browse for the first HS-4 block in this chapter (0501). Prefer the table above for a specific HS-4 page with full copy.
Before you file customs documents
Chapter pages on TradeTools are educational summaries, not legal classification determinations. Cross-check candidate codes with official notes, advance rulings where available, and your broker for high-value or borderline goods.
How we classify products explains what TradeTools does (and does not) automate.