The HS code determines your duty rate, and it is also one of the easiest places for costs to go wrong. A misclassified shipment does not just pay the wrong rate — it can be held at customs, returned, or penalised.
What glass candle jars are usually classified under
Pressed and moulded glass tableware and kitchenware generally fall under heading 7013. Household glassware in heading 7010 covers certain types of glass used for table or kitchen purposes and is a common alternative classification.
| Heading | Covers | Typical use for candle products |
|---|---|---|
| 7013 | Glass tableware and kitchenware, not lead-crystal, of a kind used for table, kitchen or decorative purposes | Candle jars, drinking glasses, square jars, ashtrays, general decorative glass |
| 7010 | Glass articles for table, kitchen or decorative use, other than of lead-crystal or glass tableware of heading 7013 | Certain specialty or technical glass items |
| 7009 | Glass not elsewhere specified, including glass tableware not of a kind used for table or kitchen purposes | Occasionally used for specific forms |
Duty rates are set by each importing country and often differ significantly between headings. The same product can attract a materially different rate depending on classification, so this deserves attention even though the supplier rarely decides it.
Who decides, and why you must confirm
Typically:
- The exporter declares a code on the commercial invoice and export declaration
- The importer determines the code for duty calculation, often guided by a binding ruling from the local customs authority
- If the two differ, the importer\’s classification usually prevails, and the difference is owed
This means a supplier quoting a low duty rate based on their code may be optimistic. Always confirm the classification with your own customs broker before relying on a landed-cost figure.
The specific things that change the classification
Small details can shift the answer:
- Intended use. A jar marketed as a candle holder versus one marketed as a drinking glass can be classified differently depending on how it is presented and packed.
- Decoration level. Heavily decorated glass may attract different treatment from plain glass.
- Component materials. A jar supplied with a metal lid or wick may be assessed on the whole article or on the glass component, depending on local rules and how the components are packed.
- Special treatment programmes. Certain origin categories attract preferential rates.
Documents you need on arrival
Prepare these before the vessel arrives, because delays cause demurrage which is charged per day and is pure loss:
- Commercial invoice with clear product description and declared value
- Packing list showing piece counts and carton details
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Certificate of origin where preferential rates may apply
- Any test certificates relevant to your market: food contact, lead and cadmium migration, thermal shock resistance
- Import licence or permit where your country requires one for the product
Preferential tariffs and certificates of origin
Many countries have trade agreements with China that reduce duty on qualifying goods. This requires a valid certificate of origin, which is a routine document the supplier can provide. Confirm before ordering that the supplier can issue one meeting your country\’s requirements, and verify the format matches what your customs authority accepts.
Ask for the certificate at the time of order, not at shipment. Retroactive requests are often refused.
How to handle it correctly
- Ask the supplier for the HS code they will declare, and their reasoning.
- Have your own broker review that classification for your destination country.
- Correct it early if there is a discrepancy, rather than at the border.
- Keep the ruling or broker confirmation on file so a repeat shipment is not re-examined differently.
Tell us your destination country and we will supply the classification we declare alongside our quotation. Confirm it with your broker before you commit to a landed-cost figure. Request a quotation.