HS-2 · Chapter 41
HS chapter 41: Raw hides and skins
Section VIII — Raw hides and skins, leather, furskins and articles thereof; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silk-worm gut)
Chapter 41 of the Harmonized System covers raw hides and skins (excluding furskins) and various forms of leather. This chapter is essential for traders dealing with animal hides and leather products, providing a comprehensive classification system that helps in identifying specific goods for trade. Understanding this chapter is crucial for importers and exporters to ensure compliance with customs regulations and to determine the appropriate duties and tariffs applicable to their shipments.
The chapter is organized into several headings that categorize products based on their type and processing stage. For instance, HS-4 headings range from raw hides and skins of bovine and equine animals to tanned or crusted leather of various animals. Each heading further breaks down into more specific classifications, allowing traders to drill down to HS-6 codes that provide even greater detail on the products being traded.
When navigating this chapter, it's important to consider the specific characteristics of the hides or leather being imported or exported. Factors such as whether the hides are fresh, salted, or tanned can influence the appropriate classification. Traders should also be aware of any national digits that may apply in their country, as these can further refine the classification and impact duties. Consulting with a customs broker or reviewing national customs rulings can provide additional clarity on how to proceed.
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.
raw hides and skins · leather classification · HS chapter 41 · bovine hides · equine skins · tanned leather · sheep skins · composition leather · customs duties · import/export regulations · national digits · customs broker · hides and skins trade · furskins · parchment-dressed leather · animal hides · leather products
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Related topics
Longer phrases that come up when you're comparing codes or talking to a broker.
- how to classify raw hides and skins for trade
- understanding HS chapter 41 for leather products
- import duties for tanned leather goods
- navigating HS-4 headings for hides and skins
- what to know about importing bovine hides
- guidelines for exporting sheep skins
- how to determine the correct HS code for leather
- impact of national digits on leather imports
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
- Raw bovine hides, salted and preserved (HS-4101)
- Tanned sheep skins, without wool (HS-4105)
- Raw equine skins, dried and preserved (HS-4101)
- Leather further prepared from buffalo hides (HS-4107)
- Chamois leather for garment manufacturing (HS-4114)
- Composition leather used in furniture production (HS-4115)
- Raw hides of other animals, salted (HS-4103)
- Tanned skins of lambs, without wool (HS-4112)
Common classification questions
- What are the HS codes for raw hides?
- How do I classify tanned leather for import?
- What is the difference between HS-4101 and HS-4103?
- Are there specific duties for sheep skins?
- How do I find national digits for leather products?
- What products fall under HS chapter 41?
- How can a customs broker help with leather imports?
- What are the requirements for exporting raw hides?
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What types of products are included in HS chapter 41?
- HS chapter 41 includes raw hides and skins of various animals, as well as tanned and further prepared leather products.
- How do I determine the correct HS code for my leather products?
- You can determine the correct HS code by identifying the specific characteristics of your product, such as whether it is raw, tanned, or further processed, and then referencing the relevant HS-4 headings.
- Are there any special regulations for importing raw hides?
- Yes, there may be specific regulations and duties applicable to raw hides depending on the country of import, so it's advisable to consult with a customs broker.
- What is the difference between tanned and raw hides?
- Raw hides are untreated animal skins, while tanned hides have undergone a preservation process that makes them suitable for various applications, including leather goods.
- Can I export raw hides without special permits?
- Exporting raw hides may require special permits depending on the destination country, so it's important to check local regulations before proceeding.
- What should I do if I am unsure about the classification of my product?
- If you are unsure about the classification, consider consulting a customs broker or reviewing customs rulings for guidance.
All HS-4 headings in chapter 41 (11)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 4101 | Raw hides and skins of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals (fresh, salted, dried, limed, pickled, otherwise preserved but not tanned, parchment dressed or further prepared), whether or not dehaired or split | |
| 4102 | Raw skins of sheep or lambs (fresh, salted, dried, limed, pickled or otherwise preserved, but not further prepared), whether or not with wool on or split | |
| 4103 | Raw hides and skins n.e.c in headings no. 4101, 4102; fresh, salted, dried, pickled or otherwise preserved, not further prepared, whether or not dehaired or split | |
| 4104 | Tanned or crust hides and skins of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on, whether or not split, but not further prepared | |
| 4105 | Tanned or crust skins of sheep and lambs, without wool on, whether or not split, but not further prepared | |
| 4106 | Tanned or crust hides and skins of other animals, without wool or hair on, whether or not split, but not further prepared | |
| 4107 | Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of bovine (including buffalo) or equine animals, without hair on, whether or not split, other than leather of heading 41.14 | |
| 4112 | Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment dressed leather, of sheep or lamb, without wool on, whether or not split, other than leather of heading 41.14 | |
| 4113 | Leather further prepared after tanning or crusting, including parchment-dressed leather, of animals (other than ovine), without wool or hair on, whether or not split, other than leather of heading 41.14 | |
| 4114 | Chamois (including combination chamois) leather; patent leather and patent laminated leather; metallised leather | |
| 4115 | Composition leather with a basis of leather or leather fibre, in slabs, sheets or strip, in rolls or not; parings and other waste of leather or of composition leather, not suitable for the manufacture of leather articles; leather dust, powder and flour |
Browse first heading (HS-4 4101)
Opens the lookup in heading browse for the first HS-4 block in this chapter (4101). Prefer the table above for a specific HS-4 page with full copy.
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