HS Code Category

HS Code Candidates for Phone Cases

Use this page to prepare candidate HS headings, product facts, material and function variants, invoice descriptions, ecommerce catalog fields, and risk flags before official review.

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Answer summary
Product facts to verify
  • Main material and fiber or chemical composition
  • Construction: knitted, woven, molded, assembled
  • Function and intended use
  • Whether it includes electronics, battery, magnets, leather, or textile
  • Country of origin and destination market
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Source note

Candidates are preparation aids only. Verify final code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or the destination tariff database before filing.

Last reviewed

2026-08-02

Candidate headings table

Review candidates

The table below lists candidate HS headings for phone cases. Each row is a starting point, not a final classification; verify in the destination tariff database before filing.

CodeHeadingUse when
3926.20Plastic articles (cases, lids, caps, other accessories)Main material is silicone, TPU, polycarbonate, or other plastic and the case does not include electronics.
4202.32Cases with outer surface of leatherOuter surface is leather (genuine or composition leather) and the case has no electronic function.
4202.92Cases with outer surface of plastic sheeting or textileOuter surface is plastic sheeting or textile, including fabric and PVC-coated cases, and no electronic function.
8517.79Parts for telephone sets: otherThe case has electronic function, including battery cases, magnetic mounts with electronics, or cases that pair with the device.

National extensions after the 6-digit heading vary by destination market. Verify the full national code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or UK Trade Tariff before filing.

Decision tree

How to classify phone cases

Step 1: Identify product facts

Material, function, construction, electronics, battery, leather, textile, magnet, country of origin, destination market.

Step 2: Match candidate heading

Outer-surface material rule and electronic function rule usually pick the heading; verify in the destination tariff.

Step 3: Verify national extension

National extensions after the 6-digit heading set the actual duty rate. Open USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or UK Trade Tariff.

Step 4: Document on the invoice

Use a strong description: material + function + product type. Avoid generic words such as accessory, gift, sample.

Step 5: Save the classification note

Write a short note explaining material, function, candidate code, origin, and any additional tariff considered.

Material variants

How material changes the code

MaterialTypical headingNotes
Silicone3926.20 (plastic articles)Most basic protective cases fall here when the function is purely protective.
Hard polycarbonate or TPU3926.20 (plastic articles)Same heading family as silicone but verify national extension for hard vs soft cases.
Genuine or composition leather4202.32 (leather cases)Switch to chapter 42 when the outer surface is leather and the case has no electronics.
Fabric, textile, or canvas4202.92 (cases with textile outer surface)Outer-surface rule usually determines the heading when the case has no electronics.
Mixed materials (plastic body, leather flap, fabric lining)Essential character analysisMay need component-level review; the heading depends on which surface gives the case its essential character.
Metal (aluminum, stainless steel)Chapter 71, 73, or 76 depending on metal typePrecious metal cases fall under chapter 71; base metal under 73 (iron/steel) or 76 (aluminum).
Function and use-case variants

How function changes the code

FunctionTypical headingNotes
Protective shell (no electronics)3926.20 / 4202 familyMost common case type; verify by outer-surface material.
Wallet case with card slots (no electronics)4202 familyWallet function with plastic or leather outer surface usually stays in chapter 42.
Battery case (built-in lithium cell)8507 or 8517 (electronic parts)Battery function changes the chapter; verify watt-hour rating for shipping.
Magnetic case (magnet for mount, no electronics)3926 or 4202 by materialMagnets alone do not change the heading, but they trigger carrier and airline rules.
Magnetic case with electronics (MagSafe-style ring with chip)8517.79 (parts for telephone sets)Electronic function shifts the heading; document the chip and wireless function on the invoice.
Decorative case (printed artwork, charms)3926 / 4202 by base materialDecoration does not usually change the heading; the base material still drives it.
Risk flags

Source-check required

FlagImpact on classificationWhere to verify
Battery-powered accessoryLithium battery review, dangerous goods shipping rules, possible Chapter 85 classification.IATA DGR, 49 CFR, destination battery rules.
Electronic function (chip, Bluetooth, NFC)Heading may shift from chapter 39 or 42 to chapter 85 (electronic parts).Destination tariff notes for chapters 39, 42, and 85.
Leather outer surface (genuine or composition)Switches classification to chapter 42 (cases and bags).HS explanatory notes for heading 42.02.
Multi-material constructionMay need component-level or essential character review.GRI 3(b) and destination national extensions.
Country of origin (China, EU, Vietnam, India)Drives additional tariffs such as Section 301, anti-dumping, or preferential treatment.USTR Section 301 list, EU TDAP, destination tariff database.
Children product useStricter safety and labeling requirements, possible additional documentation.Destination consumer product safety authority (CPSC, EU GPSR, UK OPSS).

Risk flags signal the need for official review before the candidate code is used on customs documents.

Invoice description examples

Strong descriptions

Strong invoice descriptions include material, function, product type, and key components (battery, electronics, magnet, leather, textile). Avoid generic words such as gift, sample, accessory, or product. The descriptions below are examples only, not final classifications.

  • Plastic protective phone case, no battery, no electronics
  • Silicone phone case with decorative print, no electronics
  • Hard polycarbonate phone case, clear finish, no electronics
  • Genuine leather flip phone case with card slots, no electronics
  • Magnetic phone case accessory with metal ring, no electronics, verify magnet shipping rules
  • Battery phone case with built-in lithium-ion cell, capacity to declare, dangerous goods review required

Use these descriptions on the commercial invoice line item, with the candidate HS code and country of origin declared per line.

Ecommerce catalog fields

Shopify, WooCommerce, and CSV fields to check

Before labels and invoices are generated, prepare these fields in your ecommerce catalog. The CSV Catalog Checker scans Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, or custom CSV exports for missing customs fields locally in your browser.

FieldWhy it matters
SKUStable identifier; survives product title edits; links catalog to invoice and CN22/CN23.
Product titleMarketing label; should match but not replace the customs description.
Material (primary)Determines chapter 39, 42, 71, 73, or 76; verify before assigning candidate code.
Function / use caseProtective, wallet, battery, magnetic, decorative; affects chapter choice.
Includes battery?Boolean flag; gates dangerous goods review and heading choice.
Includes electronics?Boolean flag; gates chapter 85 review.
Includes magnet?Boolean flag; gates carrier and airline rules even if heading is unchanged.
Country of originDrives Section 301, anti-dumping, and preferential treatment.
Candidate HS codeWorking candidate from the AI HS Code Finder; never a final classification.
Customs descriptionStrong description (material + function + product type) used on the commercial invoice.
Unit value and currencyCustoms value input; affects duty base and de minimis treatment.
Quantity per inner pack / caseSupports packing list cross-check and weight validation.
Destination marketPick the correct national tariff database for verification (USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff).

Pair this with the Commercial Invoice Generator, the HS Code Finder, and the CSV Catalog Checker.

Worked example

Worked example: classifying a $4.50 silicone phone case

Scenario: A Shopify merchant lists a silicone phone case with decorative print at a unit value of $4.50, FOB Shenzhen, MOQ 1,000 units, sold to US buyers. The merchant needs a candidate HS code and a commercial invoice draft.

  1. Step 1: identify the product facts. Main material is silicone; function is protective phone case; outer surface is silicone with decorative print; no battery, no electronics, no leather, no magnet that pairs with the device.
  2. Step 2: match against candidate headings. The candidate headings are 3926.20 (plastic articles), 4202.92 (cases with plastic or textile outer surface), and 8517.79 (parts for telephone sets: other).
  3. Step 3: pick the closest candidate. With silicone as the main material and no electronics, the closest candidate is 3926.20 (plastic articles). The case is a candidate, not a final classification; it must be verified in the USITC HTS database for the destination market.
  4. Step 4: confirm origin and additional tariff. Origin is China; the merchant must check the USTR Section 301 list for the current rate on HTS 3926.20.
  5. Step 5: write the invoice description. Use "silicone protective case for smartphone, no battery, no electronics" so the description matches the candidate.
  6. Step 6: document the basis. Keep a short note: material silicone, function protective, candidate 3926.20, country of origin China, Section 301 rate to verify.

Final classification depends on product facts, destination tariff rules, and official review. The candidate is preparation aid only.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

  • Copying a supplier HS code without verifying it against the destination tariff.
  • Using a 6-digit heading as the final code without checking national extensions.
  • Treating "phone case" as one heading; material and electronics change the chapter.
  • Ignoring the battery in a battery case and classifying as 3926.20.
  • Filing on the marketplace listing rather than the actual product facts.
  • Reusing one HS code across variants with different materials or electronics.
  • Forgetting Section 301 for China-origin cases.
Related Tools

Continue the workflow

HS Code FinderCSV Catalog CheckerClassification CasesPaid Catalog ReviewCommercial InvoiceImport DutyMethodologySourcesCorrections
Editorial

About this category page

Written by the TariffCatalog Editorial Team. Maintained by Ryan Cole and reviewed for candidate-only customs-data workflow clarity.

This page follows TariffCatalog's methodology for candidate-only classification, estimate-only calculators, and document draft workflows. Candidates are preparation aids, not binding classifications.

MethodologySourcesReport an error
Maintainer

Reviewed by Ryan Cole

Ryan Cole maintains TariffCatalog from the perspective of a long-time ecommerce operator with 15+ years of experience in product catalog, international shipping, and pre-shipment data workflows. This page is reviewed for candidate-only HS code preparation, source-check clarity, and estimate-only or candidate-only wording.

TariffCatalog is a preparation aid, not a customs broker, legal, tax, or freight-forwarding service. Verify final classifications, rates, documents, and filing treatment with official sources or qualified professionals.

Last reviewed: · Maintainer entity: Ryan Cole · Source policy: verified against official customs and tariff sources

Official Source Note

Check final codes

USITC HTS

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

CBP

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

EU TARIC

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

UK Trade Tariff

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

FAQ

Common questions

Are these HS code candidates binding?

No. The headings on this page are candidates, preparation aids based on common product facts. Final classification depends on exact material, function, construction, destination tariff rules, and any binding ruling in effect. Verify the final code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff, or the destination tariff database before filing.

Why does material change the HS code for a phone case?

HS classification is driven by what the case is made of and what it does. A silicone case with no electronics usually falls under 3926.20 (plastic articles). A leather case usually falls under 4202.32. A textile-outer-surface case usually falls under 4202.92. The outer-surface material rule is the most common pivot point for phone cases.

What changes when a phone case has a battery?

A battery in the case shifts the case out of chapter 39 or 42 and into chapter 85 (electrical equipment). The case is then classified with the battery function, often under 8507 (electric accumulators) or 8517 (telephone parts), depending on integration. The battery also triggers dangerous goods shipping rules.

Why does a magnet matter for shipping even if the heading is the same?

Magnets can affect shipping even when they do not change the heading. Carriers and airlines have magnet-related rules that restrict or require labeling on parcels with strong magnets. The HS code may still be 3926.20, but the shipment documentation must declare the magnet.

Do phone cases need HS codes on the commercial invoice?

Most courier, freight, and broker channels expect an HS code candidate on the commercial invoice. Postal channels may clear on a CN22 or CN23 without a full code. Even when the channel does not require a code, including a candidate speeds up clearance and supports duty and tax review.

Should wallet phone cases be classified differently from protective cases?

Often yes. A wallet case with card slots may stay in chapter 42 (cases and bags) when the function is travel goods. A protective shell with no card slots usually stays in chapter 39 (plastic articles) or chapter 42 depending on the outer surface. The function and outer-surface material are the two switches to check.

Can I bulk-assign one HS code to my whole phone-case catalog?

It depends on the variants. Variants that share material, function, construction, and origin can share one candidate. Variants that change material (silicone vs leather), add electronics (battery case), or add a magnet that pairs with the device usually need a different candidate. The CSV Catalog Checker flags these patterns in bulk.

When should I ask a broker or licensed professional to review?

Ask a licensed broker or trade professional when the product is regulated, high-value, repeatedly shipped, or ambiguous in classification. A one-time consultation or a binding ruling (where the destination supports it) can pay back many times over for a catalog that ships the same family across many orders.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-02

Disclaimer

TariffCatalog provides candidate HS code suggestions, estimate-only calculators, and document drafts. Verify final classifications, duty rates, document requirements, and filing obligations with official sources, carriers, brokers, or destination authorities before filing or shipping.

Candidate headings on this page are preparation aids, not binding classifications. Final classification depends on exact product facts and the destination tariff rules in effect on the entry date.