HS Code Category

HS Code Candidates for Snow Globes

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

Code	Heading	Use when
`9505`	Festive, carnival, or other entertainment articles	The design and use are specifically tied to Christmas or another qualifying festive occasion and current notes support festive treatment.
`3926`	Other articles of plastics, including certain ornamental articles	Plastic or polyresin supplies the character of a non-festive decorative globe or base under the destination analysis.
`7013 / 7020`	Glassware or other articles of glass	Glass construction and ornamental/household function support a glass article candidate rather than plastics or festive treatment.
`6913`	Ceramic ornamental articles	A ceramic base or figure supplies the article’s character and the product is not supported as a festive article.
`Chapter 84 / 85 / components`	Mechanical music or electrical lighting review	Wind-up movements, speakers, LEDs, motors, batteries, USB power, or controllers create additional functional candidates.

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 snow globes

Step 1: Record motif and seasonal use

Christmas, Halloween, wedding, landmark, souvenir, photo holder, or generic display.

Step 2: Inventory all materials

Glass or plastics shell, resin/ceramic/wood/metal base, figure, water or other liquid, glitter, and seal.

Step 3: Capture active functions

Wind-up music, speaker, motor, LEDs, timer, USB, adapter, battery, and switches.

Step 4: Compare composite candidates

Festive, plastics, glass, ceramic, mechanical, and electrical headings based on the complete article.

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
Plastic globe with polyresin base	3926 or festive candidate	Record transparent shell polymer, base resin, figurine, liquid, glitter, motif, and dimensions.
Glass globe with resin base	Glass, plastics, or festive review	Keep glass weight/value and the base/figurine materials; do not call the complete item only glass.
Ceramic base with glass globe	6913, glass, or festive review	Record ceramic decorative role, glass globe, liquid, and motif.
Acrylic photo insert globe	3926 or plastics article candidate	Record reusable photo-holder function, liquid/glitter, dimensions, and whether it is year-round.
Musical or lighted mixed-material globe	Ornamental versus mechanical/electrical review	List movement, speaker, LED, motor, battery, adapter, switch, and base construction.

Function and use-case variants

How function changes the code

Function	Typical heading	Notes
Passive Christmas snow globe	9505 or material ornamental candidate	Record Christmas-specific motif and whether it is sold solely as seasonal display.
Year-round souvenir globe	Material ornamental candidate	City, landmark, wedding, or travel motifs normally lack Christmas specificity.
Wind-up musical globe	Ornamental versus mechanical component review	Record movement type, tune function, wind key, material, and commercial prominence.
Battery-powered lighted globe	Ornamental versus electrical review	Record LEDs, motorized glitter, battery, switch, timer, and USB/adapter input.
Photo holder or promotional globe	Plastics/photo-frame or ornamental review	A reusable insert function can be more than passive decoration.

Risk flags

Source-check required

Flag	Impact on classification	Where to verify
Festive-specific motif	Can separate a Christmas candidate from year-round material ornament treatment.	Current heading 9505 notes and exact design.
Composite materials	Transparent shell, base, figure, liquid, and glitter must be weighed together.	Product BOM and destination GRI rules.
Music, light, or motor function	Can create mechanical or electrical candidates and separate battery records.	Product specification and current Chapters 84/85.
Liquid-filled construction	Requires an accurate product description and separate transport/compliance review.	Supplier safety/specification record.
Ruling fact mismatch	Polyresin examples do not decide glass, ceramic, musical, or lighted products.	CBP rulings N336266 and N038695.

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.

Christmas snow globe with glass globe, polyresin base, water and glitter, passive ornament
Mini plastic souvenir snow globe with molded city figure and water
Wind-up musical snow globe with glass globe, resin base, and mechanical movement
Battery-powered LED snow globe with motorized glitter, batteries not included
Reusable acrylic photo insert glitter globe, liquid filled, year-round display article

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: lighted motorized globe

Scenario: A seller imports a Christmas-themed snow globe with a glass globe, polyresin Santa base, water and glitter, a small electric motor that circulates glitter, warm-white LEDs, timer, and three AA batteries sold separately.

Record glass globe, polyresin base, Santa motif, liquid/glitter, motor, LEDs, timer, battery compartment, dimensions, and packaging.
Begin with the Christmas festive candidate and keep glass, plastics, and electrical-function candidates visible.
Determine whether the powered features are incidental to the festive ornament or materially change the article’s function under current rules.
Keep liquid and battery data for separate transport and safety workflows without turning them into an HS conclusion.
Verify the national code and origin measures.
Use an invoice description that identifies materials, Christmas motif, liquid fill, motor, LEDs, and battery status.

A passive year-round souvenir globe can follow a material ornamental candidate instead.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Using one snow-globe code for festive and year-round designs.
Calling the whole product glass while omitting a substantial resin or ceramic base.
Ignoring music, motor, LEDs, timer, USB, or batteries.
Leaving liquid and glitter out of the invoice description.
Copying a polyresin ruling to a materially different glass/electronic globe.
Treating a reusable photo holder as passive seasonal decor.

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 festive, plastics, glass, ceramic, mechanical, and electrical provisions.

CBP ruling N336266

Two polyresin snow-globe fact patterns.

CBP ruling N038695

A snow-globe construction fact pattern for comparison.

FAQ

Common questions

What HS code may apply to a snow globe?

Candidates may include festive, plastics, glass, ceramic, mechanical, or electrical headings depending on the complete product facts.

Are Christmas snow globes festive articles?

They may begin with heading 9505 when specifically tied to Christmas, but material and functional candidates must still be checked.

Do glass and plastic globes use the same candidate?

Not automatically. Record the globe, base, figurine, weight/value, and complete commercial identity.

How are musical snow globes reviewed?

Keep the ornamental and mechanical candidates visible and record movement type, music function, and materials.

What about LED or motorized globes?

Record motor, LEDs, timer, power source, batteries, and whether those features are incidental or commercially substantial.

Does the liquid affect classification?

The liquid must be described and may affect transport or product requirements, but it does not alone decide the HS heading.

What should the invoice description include?

State motif, globe/base materials, liquid/glitter, music/light/motor features, dimensions, power source, and quantity.

Are these candidates binding?

No. Verify the current destination code and actual 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.