Artificial Flower HS Codes and Customs Clearance Explained

Tariff classification is one of the least glamorous parts of importing artificial plants and one of the most consequential. The code you declare determines the duty rate you pay, whether a trade agreement applies, and whether your entry clears without delay. This article explains how artificial flowers are classified, what documentation a typical entry needs, and the mistakes that most often cause a hold-up at customs.

The Main HS Heading for Artificial Flowers

Artificial flowers, foliage and fruit — together with articles made from them, such as wreaths and arrangements — sit under heading 6702 of the Harmonized System. The heading covers goods that imitate natural flowers or foliage and are made of materials such as plastics, textiles or paper. Fresh cut flowers and flower buds for bouquets belong to a different heading, 0603, which is why an artificial product must never be declared under a fresh-flower code.

Subheadings: Plastics or Other Materials

Within 6702 the first split is by material. The 6702.10 subheading covers articles of plastics, while 6702.90 covers articles of other materials — the category that typically applies to polyester and other textile-based artificial flowers and foliage. Because a single item can combine plastic stems, fabric petals and a ceramic pot, classification normally follows the material that gives the product its essential character. That judgement is why material composition should be documented by the supplier rather than guessed by the importer.

Why the Material Split Matters

Duty rates are set by the importing country and can differ between subheadings, and some national tariff schedules and trade agreements treat them differently. Getting the split right is therefore not a formality: it decides what you pay and whether a preferential rate under a free trade agreement is available. If you are importing at volume, ask your customs broker to confirm the correct code for your specific product before the first shipment, not after.

Composition Documents From the Supplier

To classify accurately, you need to know what the product is made of and in what proportion. Ask the supplier for a material breakdown per item covering the flower head, stem, foliage and pot. A supplier who produces its own moulded components can state this precisely, which is one practical advantage of buying from a source factory. Keep the breakdown on file — it also supports any compliance testing your market requires.

The Documents a Typical Entry Needs

A standard sea-freight entry usually requires a commercial invoice, a packing list, the bill of lading, and — depending on the destination — a certificate of origin and any product compliance documentation. The invoice should describe the goods in terms that match the declared code, listing item references, quantities, unit values and the Incoterm. Descriptions such as "gift items" or "decorative goods" invite questions; a clear description of artificial flowers or artificial foliage does not.

Common Causes of Delays

Most clearance problems trace back to three things: a description on the invoice that does not match the declared code, missing or inconsistent carton and weight data between the packing list and the actual load, and a valuation that does not reconcile with the payment terms. A fourth cause is a compliance requirement — a labelling rule or a material restriction — that was discovered after production rather than at the inquiry stage. All four are avoidable with preparation.

Plan Compliance at the Inquiry Stage

Tell the supplier your destination market when you request a quotation, not when you book freight. Compliance requirements differ between regions, and some tests add time to the production schedule. Our guide to importing artificial flowers from China sets out the full sequence, and our quality assurance page explains the inspection and documentation we can provide.

Practical Checklist

Before your first shipment, confirm four things in writing: the correct HS code for your product's material composition, the duty treatment that applies in your market, the full document set your broker requires, and any market-specific compliance or labelling rule. With those settled, clearance becomes routine and the cost of the goods is predictable before they leave China.

Need Composition Details for Classification?

We can supply a material breakdown for any item in the range, together with packing lists and carton data to support your entry. Send us the item numbers you are importing and your destination market, and our export team will prepare the documentation your broker needs. Contact our export team to request composition details, or browse the product catalogue first.