HS Codes for Nepal Exports: Singing Bowls, Hemp Clothing, and Dog Chews

Getting the HS code right before your first shipment from Nepal saves delays, unexpected duty bills, and customs queries. Here is a product-by-product breakdown for the three categories ApexVectura exports.

Singing bowls: HS 7418.10

Hand-hammered seven-metal singing bowls classify under HS 7418.10 -- Table, kitchen or other household articles, and parts thereof, of copper; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like; sanitary ware and parts thereof, of copper.

Despite the utilitarian description, singing bowls have been consistently classified here by US CBP and EU customs authorities. The alloy is primarily copper, and bowls are considered household articles under Chapter 74.

US duty rate

HTS 7418.10.00 -- duty rate 0% under normal trade relations (NTR). Nepal is not a beneficiary of US GSP (the program lapsed), but the NTR rate is already zero, so no duty applies.

EU duty rate

TARIC 7418 10 90 -- duty rate 2.5% under the standard MFN rate. Nepal is an LDC (Least Developed Country) and qualifies for Everything But Arms (EBA) under the EU GSP scheme -- duty rate 0%. Confirm EBA eligibility on each shipment with a Form A or REX declaration from your Nepal exporter.

Common misclassification

Some importers classify singing bowls under HS 9209.99 (musical instrument accessories) or HS 9207 (musical instruments played by striking). US CBP has rejected both; the household article classification under 7418 is well established. Using 9207 can attract a 4.9% duty rate in the US and delays in EU customs.

Hemp clothing: HS 6109 / 6110

Hemp garments classify by construction and fibre content:

• T-shirts, singlets, and similar garments -- HS 6109.90 (knitted, of other textile fibres)
• Jerseys, pullovers, sweatshirts, and hoodies -- HS 6110.20 (cotton) or HS 6110.90 (of other textile fibres)

For a 55% hemp / 45% organic cotton blend, the classification depends on the chief weight rule. At 55% hemp, the fabric classifies as hemp (other textile fibres), not cotton:

• Tees: 6109.90
• Hoodies: 6110.90

Note that the HC-102-B hoodie uses a 60% hemp/40% cotton blend, classifying under 6110.90, not 6110.20. Confirm with your customs broker if the cotton/hemp split changes.

US and EU duty rates

Both the US (HTS 6109.90.10) and EU (TARIC 6109 90 20 / 6110 90 10) apply 12% duty on hemp knitwear under MFN. There is no equivalent US preference program for Nepal. EU buyers qualify for EBA at 0% with a valid REX declaration.

Key action item for EU buyers: Ensure your Nepal supplier has a REX (Registered Exporter) number before the first shipment. Without REX, EBA preference cannot be claimed and 12% MFN duty applies.

Dog chews: HS 2309.10

Himalayan yak-milk chews classify under HS 2309.10 -- Dog or cat food, put up for retail sale.

This is one of the cleaner classifications in the Nepal export catalogue. The product is clearly manufactured as a pet food; it is put up in individual retail-ready vacuum pouches; and the yak-milk base means it stays in Chapter 23 (residues and waste from the food industries; prepared animal fodder) rather than Chapter 4 (dairy products) after processing removes the dairy structure.

US duty rate

HTS 2309.10.00 -- duty rate 0% under NTR. Additionally, USDA APHIS import requirements for processed dairy products from Nepal apply -- ensure your supplier has current USDA import eligibility documentation on file.

EU duty rate

TARIC 2309 10 11 -- the duty rate varies by protein composition and manufacturing method. Confirm the applicable rate with your customs broker; the specific subheading depends on whether the product is classified as a complete or complementary pet food.

USDA APHIS compliance

This is the regulatory bottleneck for dog chew imports from Nepal to the US. Key requirements:

• The processing facility must be USDA APHIS-recognised for processed dairy products
• Each shipment requires a health certificate and supporting documentation
• The product must meet the heat treatment standard that eliminates pathogen risk in processed dairy

ApexVectura supplies current USDA documentation with every shipment. Request a copy of the facility registration and most recent APHIS correspondence before placing your first order.

Certificate of Origin

For all three product categories, a Nepal Certificate of Origin (Form A) or a REX declaration (for EU EBA preference) is issued by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce or the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Supplies.

Allow 2-3 working days for Certificate of Origin processing in Kathmandu. Build this into your lead time, particularly for air freight orders where the logistics timeline is short. ApexVectura includes CoO processing in the standard lead time quoted for all orders.