HS Code Category

HS Code Candidates for Scented Candles

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.

Use HS Code Finder Check CSV Catalog Read Methodology

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

Use this tool

HS Code Finder Commercial Invoice CSV Catalog Checker

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 scented candles. Each row is a starting point, not a final classification; verify in the destination tariff database before filing.

Code	Heading	Use when
`3406`	Candles, tapers, and the like	The finished article has a wick and is designed to burn as a candle, including many scented container candles under current destination text.
`3404`	Artificial waxes and prepared waxes	The import is bulk or shaped wax material rather than a finished wick candle; exact composition and form must be checked.
`3307 / fragrance review`	Prepared room-deodorizing or perfuming products	The product is a diffuser, fragrance preparation, or non-candle air-perfuming article rather than a burnable wick candle.
`Chapter 85 / 94`	Electric warmer, LED flameless candle, or lighting article	The product creates light or releases fragrance through electronics, heating elements, motors, or LEDs rather than a burning wick.
`GRI 3 / components`	Candle gift set	Candles, holders, matches, snuffers, diffusers, oils, or other goods are packaged together and require set or component analysis.

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 scented candles

Step 1: Confirm the operating method

Burning wick, wickless melt, diffuser, electric heater, LED light, or raw wax material.

Step 2: Record formula and form

Wax types and percentages, fragrance, dye, additives, wick, net weight, shape, and refill format.

Step 3: Identify holder and electronics

Glass, ceramic, metal, plastics, lid, reusable vessel, LED, heater, battery, timer, remote, or adapter.

Step 4: Inventory gift-set components

Candles, melts, diffusers, oils, holders, matches, snuffers, trays, and packaging.

Step 5: Read current official text

Compare the candidate heading, legal notes, exclusions, and national subdivisions in the destination tariff schedule.

Step 6: Check origin and entry date

Review additional measures only after the national code candidate is supported; save the source URL and lookup date.

Step 7: Preserve the review trail

Keep specifications, photos, component lists, candidate comparisons, source notes, and invoice wording with the SKU.

Material variants

How material changes the code

Material	Typical heading	Notes
Paraffin wax candle	3406 candidate	Record wax composition, wick, fragrance, dyes, net candle weight, holder, lid, and burn function.
Soy, coconut, or vegetable-wax blend candle	3406 candidate	Keep exact blend and additives; the word natural does not replace composition.
Beeswax candle	3406 candidate	Record beeswax percentage, other waxes, wick, shape, fragrance, and holder.
Wax melts without wick	Wax or fragrance-preparation review	A melt used in a separate warmer is not automatically a candle under heading 3406.
LED plastics flameless candle	Electrical/plastics/lighting review	Record LEDs, battery, timer, remote, plastics shell, and whether fragrance is present.

Function and use-case variants

How function changes the code

Function	Typical heading	Notes
Wick candle for light and fragrance	3406 candidate	Scent and container do not erase the burnable candle identity, but all construction should be recorded.
Decorative taper or shaped candle	3406 candidate	Record wax, wick, shape, surface decorations, size, and whether another material is substantial.
Wax melt for electric warmer	3404, 3307, or composition-specific review	Record absence of wick, wax/fragrance composition, packaging, and intended heating method.
Flameless LED candle	Chapter 85/94 or plastics article review	Do not apply a wick-candle candidate to an electronic light.
Candle and home-fragrance gift set	Set or component review	List candle, diffuser, oil, matches, snuffer, holder, and packaging separately.

Risk flags

Source-check required

Flag	Impact on classification	Where to verify
Wick and burn function	Separates a finished candle from wax melts, raw wax, diffusers, and electric articles.	USITC heading 3406 and product specification.
Wax and fragrance composition	Supports accurate product identity and other wax or fragrance candidates.	Formula, SDS, and supplier specification.
Holder and lid	Glass, ceramic, or metal vessels can be part of the candle or require separate review in unusual reusable constructions.	CBP candle-in-holder rulings and destination rules.
Electrical function	LEDs, batteries, heating elements, timers, and remote controls move the product outside an ordinary candle path.	Current Chapters 85/94 and BOM.
Mixed fragrance gift set	Diffusers, oils, matches, and tools may require component or set treatment.	Destination GRI rules and component values.

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.

Scented soy-paraffin wax candle with cotton wick in glass jar, net wax 220 g
Beeswax taper candles with cotton wicks, unscented, retail pair
Scented paraffin wax candle in reusable ceramic holder with lid
Fragranced wax melts without wick, soy-paraffin blend, retail pack of 8
Battery-powered LED flameless candle with timer, plastics shell, batteries not included

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.

Field	Why it matters
SKU and variant ID	Keeps the classification record, supplier specification, invoice line, and marketplace export tied to the same sellable item.
Plain product description	States what the article physically is instead of relying on a holiday collection name or marketing phrase.
Materials and construction	Preserves paper, textile, plastics, glass, metal, wax, electrical, coating, lining, and component facts that can change the heading path.
Function and seasonal design	Separates a specifically festive article from ordinary apparel, packaging, stationery, lighting, containers, or year-round decoration.
Included parts and retail presentation	Shows whether the SKU is one article, a filled calendar, a mixed set, a powered item, or packaging supplied with other goods.
Country of origin	Supports origin measures only after the full destination classification candidate has been verified.
Destination and lookup date	Prevents a historical ruling or six-digit heading from being reused as a final code in every market and year.
Invoice-ready description	Carries the reviewed material, form, use, powered features, quantity, and set relationship into shipment documents.

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

Worked example

Worked example: scented jar candle

Scenario: A merchant imports a 220 g soy-paraffin blend candle with one cotton wick, fragrance oil, dye, glass jar, and metal lid. It burns conventionally and contains no electronics.

Record exact wax blend, wick, fragrance, dye, net wax weight, glass jar, lid, burn function, and retail packaging.
Begin with the finished candle candidate because the article has a wick and is designed to burn.
Keep the holder facts visible and check current treatment of the complete container candle.
Do not use diffuser or wax-melt candidates merely because fragrance is present.
Verify the national subdivision, origin, and entry-date measures.
Use an invoice description that states wax, wick, fragrance, holder, and net weight.

A wickless melt or battery-powered flameless candle requires a different analysis.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Using heading 3406 for wickless wax melts without composition review.
Treating flameless LED candles as ordinary wax candles.
Omitting exact wax blend, wick, fragrance, and net weight.
Ignoring a substantial reusable holder or electrical warmer.
Combining candles, diffusers, oils, and tools into one generic gift-set line.
Using fragrance safety or food-grade claims as an HS classification decision.

Related Tools

Continue the workflow

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.

Methodology Sources Report 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: August 2026 · Maintainer entity: Ryan Cole · Source policy: verified against official customs and tariff sources

Official Source Note

Check final codes

USITC HTS

Check current headings 3406, 3404, fragrance preparations, and electrical provisions.

CBP CROSS candle search

Official ruling search for candle constructions and holders.

CBP CROSS

Search wax melts, LED candles, holders, and gift sets by exact product facts.

FAQ

Common questions

What HS code may apply to scented candles?

Heading 3406 may apply to finished wick candles. Wax melts, raw wax, diffusers, electric warmers, and LED products need other reviews.

Does soy wax use a different candidate from paraffin?

They can share the finished candle candidate, but exact composition should be retained for national subdivisions, sourcing, and product records.

Are candles in glass or ceramic holders in heading 3406?

They may remain complete candle articles in many fact patterns, but holder construction and destination treatment must be checked.

Are wax melts classified as candles?

Not automatically. Wickless melts need a wax/composition and intended-heating review.

How are flameless LED candles reviewed?

Record LEDs, shell, power source, timer, remote, and whether the article functions as lighting or decoration rather than a burning candle.

What about candle gift sets?

List every candle, diffuser, oil, holder, match, and tool separately, then apply destination set rules.

What should the invoice description include?

State wax composition, wick, fragrance, net weight, holder/lid, powered features, quantity, and set contents.

Are these candidates binding?

No. Verify the current destination code, formula, and imported product before filing.

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.