EU Combined Nomenclature · CN code · HS 9601.90
✓ Can be used in a customs declaration Data: EU Combined Nomenclature, in force from 1 January 2026 · checked on 24 October 2026
Importing into EU
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Prohibitions, licences, controls and sanctions that apply when these goods leave the EU.
| Export measures | Destination | Legal act | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export control - CITES | All third countries | Regulation 0966/23 | 20 May 2023 |
TARIC data as of 27 October 2026
The rate each member state applies to goods of this code, from the Commission’s Taxes in Europe Database. A reduced rate can cover only part of the goods under a code: check the national VAT law.
Austria 20% 
Belgium 21% 
Bulgaria 20% 
Croatia 25% 
Cyprus 19% 
Czechia 21% 
Denmark 25% 
Estonia 24% 
Finland 25.5% 
France 20% 
Germany 19% 
Greece 24% 
Hungary 27% 
Ireland 23% 
Italy 22% 
Latvia 21% 
Lithuania 21% 
Luxembourg 17% 
Malta 18% 
Netherlands 21% 
Poland 23% 
Portugal 23% 
Romania 21% 
Slovakia 23% 
Slovenia 22% 
Spain 21% 
Sweden 25% TEDB · 27 October 2026
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 Australia | €6.6m | 27.1% | -10.8% |
 India | €4.5m | 18.5% | -12.8% |
 China | €4.4m | 18.2% | +50.2% |
 Philippines | €1.5m | 6.1% | -21.7% |
 Indonesia | €1.5m | 6% | +48.7% |
 Vietnam | €1.1m | 4.6% | +12.5% |
 Hong Kong SAR China | €944k | 3.9% | -25.1% |
 South Africa | €718k | 3% | +17.5% |
9601.90 Worked ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, horn, antlers, coral: other
UK Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
Türkiye Free Third-country duty 1 tariff line 
USA Free – 3.7% General (MFN) 4 tariff lines · average 1.4% 
Canada 6.5% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Mexico 15% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Brazil 16.2% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Argentina 18% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Peru 6% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
New Zealand 5% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Japan Free – 4.1% General (MFN) 2 tariff lines · average 2% 
Taiwan 3.3% – 10% General (MFN) 14 tariff lines · average 6.3% 
GCC 5% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Switzerland Free General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Norway Free General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
North Macedonia 15% General (MFN) 1 tariff line 
Nigeria 20% General (MFN) 1 tariff line Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
The tariff classification of worked shell from China.
The tariff classification of shaped mollusk shells from the Philippines.
The tariff classification of partially worked bones from Vietnam.
Revocation of NY N285626; Modification of NY N123795 and NY N284708; Classification of Coral Beads for Jewelry and Jewelry with Abalone
A Buffalo horn, used as a chewing toy/snack for dogs. Packaged in a plastic bag.
6 rulings in total for this code
1. This chapter does not cover:
(a) pencils for cosmetic or toilet uses (Chapter 33);
(b) articles of Chapter 66 (for example, parts of umbrellas or walking sticks);
(c) imitation jewellery (heading 7117);
(d) parts of general use, as defined in note 2 to Section XV, of base metal (Section XV), or similar goods of plastics (Chapter 39);
(e) cutlery or other articles of Chapter 82 with handles or other parts of carving or moulding materials; heading 9601 or 9602 applies, however, to separately presented handles or other parts of such articles;
(f) articles of Chapter 90 (for example, spectacle frames (heading 9003), mathematical drawing pens (heading 9017), brushes of a kind specialised for use in dentistry or for medical, surgical or veterinary purposes (heading 9018));
(g) articles of Chapter 91 (for example, clock or watch cases);
(h) musical instruments or parts or accessories thereof (Chapter 92);
(ij) articles of Chapter 93 (arms and parts thereof);
(k) articles of Chapter 94 (for example, furniture, luminaires and lighting fittings);
(l) articles of Chapter 95 (toys, games, sports requisites); or
(m) works of art, collectors' pieces or antiques (Chapter 97).
2. In heading 9602, the expression ‘vegetable or mineral carving material’ means:
(a) hard seeds, pips, hulls and nuts and similar vegetable materials of a kind used for carving (for example, corozo and dom);
(b) amber, meerschaum, agglomerated amber and agglomerated meerschaum, jet and mineral substitutes for jet.
3. In heading 9603, the expression ‘prepared knots and tufts for broom or brush making’ applies only to unmounted knots and tufts of animal hair, vegetable fibre or other material, which are ready for incorporation without division in brooms or brushes, or which require only such further minor processes as trimming to shape at the top, to render them ready for such incorporation.
4. Articles of this chapter, other than those of headings 9601 to 9606 or 9615, remain classified in the chapter whether or not composed wholly or partly of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal, of natural or cultured pearls, or precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed). However, headings 9601 to 9606 and 9615 include articles in which natural or cultured pearls, precious or semi-precious stones (natural, synthetic or reconstructed), precious metal or metal clad with precious metal constitute only minor constituents.
The European Commission's explanatory notes on how to classify goods in these CN codes. They are not legally binding but customs authorities follow them; they complement the HS Explanatory Notes of the World Customs Organization.
For the definition of the term ‘worked’, see the HS Explanatory Note to heading 9601, second paragraph.
Explanatory Notes to the Combined Nomenclature of the European Union, Official Journal C (consolidated text and later amendments) · © European Union
The Combined Nomenclature of each year, as published in the Official Journal: description, third-country duty and supplementary unit.
| Year | Description | Third-country duty | Supplementary unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Other | Free | — |
| 2025 | unchanged | Free | — |
| 2024 | unchanged | Free | — |
| 2023 | unchanged | Free | — |
| 2022 | unchanged | Free | — |
| 2021 | unchanged | Free | — |
| 2020 | unchanged | Free | — |
| 2019 | Other | Free | — |
In the EU Combined Nomenclature, 9601 90 00 is one of 1 line under subheading 9601.90, worked ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, horn, antlers, coral: other.
The third-country duty is free, and quantities are declared in —.
In the 12 months to August 2026, the EU imported goods of subheading 9601.90 worth €24.3m (up 1% on the year before), at an average of €32.11 per kg; Australia supplied 27%, followed by India.
For the same subheading, the UK duty is free, the Türkiye duty is free, the US duty is 0%–3.7%, the Canada duty is 6.5%, the Mexico duty is 15%, the Brazil duty is 16.2%, the Argentina duty is 18%, the Peru duty is 6%, the New Zealand duty is 5%, the Japan duty is 0%–4.1%, the Taiwan duty is 3.3%–10%, the GCC duty is 5%, the Switzerland duty is free, the Norway duty is free, the North Macedonia duty is 15% and the Nigeria duty is 20%.
EU member states imported goods of subheading 9601.90 worth US$42m in 2024; the largest supplier from outside the EU was Australia.
The third-country duty in the EU Combined Nomenclature is free; the supplementary unit is —. Preferential rates for goods from agreement countries, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
For subheading 9601.90 as a whole, the largest supplier from outside the EU in 2024 was Australia (US$6m), followed by India.
Everyday names, not part of the legal text.