Badger Belly Hair for Brushes
Badger belly hair, the softest grade of badger hair, is used for premium shaving and cosmetic brushes. It falls under tariff item 0502.90.00 as 'other brush making hair' because it is not edible, not a hide or skin, and not a prepared tuft or knot for brushes. The hair is raw and unprocessed, making it suitable for brush manufacturing.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
| Origin Country | MFN Tariff | Surtaxes | Total Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳China | Free | — | Free |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Free | — | Free |
| 🇺🇸United States | Free | — | Free |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Free | — | Free |
| 🇯🇵Japan | Free | — | Free |
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If the hair is attached to skins or furskins
Badger hair with skin attached would fall under feathers and skins of heading 05.05, not as loose brushmaking hair.
If the hair is pre-formed into knots or tufts for brushes
Prepared knots or tufts for brush making are excluded from Chapter 05 and classified under heading 96.03.
Not sure which classification is right?
The Tariff Assistant works through the GRI rules on your specific product to reach the right tariff item — and can price the duty on it in the same conversation.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Ensure the hair is clean, dry, and free of any skin or flesh to avoid classification as a hide or skin under Chapter 41
• Declare the product as 'badger hair for brush making' and keep supplier documentation showing it is not for edible or textile use
• Check with CBSA if the hair is treated with any preservatives, as this could affect classification
Related Products under Tariff item 0502.90.00
Badger Shaving Brush Hair
Pure badger hair from the undercoat of badger pelts, used for high-quality shaving brushes due to its softness and water retention. This product is classified under tariff item 0502.90.00 as 'other brush making hair' because it is raw animal hair not excluded by Chapter 05 notes. It is not edible, not a hide or skin, and not a prepared tuft.
Boar Bristle Bundles
Natural bristles from boar spines and backs, stiff and durable, used in paintbrushes and scrub brushes. These bristles fall under tariff item 0502.90.00 as 'pigs', hogs' or boars' bristles and hair' in the 'other' category, as they are raw and not processed into textile materials or prepared tufts. The product is not edible and not a hide or skin.
Boar Neck Bristles
Stiff bristles from boar necks, used in heavy-duty cleaning and industrial brushes. These bristles are classified under tariff item 0502.90.00 as 'other' brushmaking hair, as they are raw boar bristles not excluded by Chapter 05 notes. They are not waste, but prime material sorted for uniform length and stiffness.
Horse Mane Brushmaking Hair
Selected horse mane hair used specifically for fine brushmaking, softer than tail hair for artist brushes. Although horsehair is generally mentioned in heading 05.11, this product is dedicated to brushmaking and falls under tariff item 0502.90.00 as 'other brush making hair'. It is raw, not processed into textile materials, and not a prepared tuft.
Mixed Brushmaking Hair Blend
A blend of badger and boar hair for versatile brush fillings, primarily for brushmaking purposes. This product falls under tariff item 0502.90.00 as 'other brush making hair' because it is a mixture of animal hairs not excluded by Chapter 05 notes. It is not textile-processed, not edible, and not a prepared tuft.
Pure Badger Knot Hair
Premium badger hair pre-sorted for easy knotting into shaving brushes. This product remains under tariff item 0502.90.00 as raw 'other brush making hair' because it is not yet prepared into tufts or knots, which are excluded by Chapter note 1(d). The hair is sorted by length but not worked, so it qualifies as unprocessed brushmaking hair.