Classification explainer

Reflective nylon webbing dog leash, 6 foot, with padded handle and swivel snap hook

Country of origin for this scenario: China.

Recommended HTS code

4201.00.30.00

Dog leashes, collars, muzzles, harnesses and similar dog equipment

HIGH confidence. Heading 4201, subheading 4201.00.30.00 is explicitly enumerated for dog leashes of any material. Four on-point CBP rulings (N035112, F84172, M80352, M83255) all classify nylon webbing dog leashes with metal clasps under 4201.00.3000. The product description — reflective nylon webbing leash with padded handle and swivel snap hook — is materially identical to the ruled articles. No GRI 3 analysis is required because GRI 1 resolves classification at the heading level via the specific eo nomine provision 'dog leashes.' The textile construction does not override 4201 because the heading expressly covers articles 'of any material.'

Classification analysis generated on July 25, 2026 from the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule and published CBP rulings, for the product description shown — our analysis, not legal advice.

How the classification was reached

GRI Reasoning

GRI 1 — Heading-Level Analysis

The product is a 6-foot reflective nylon webbing dog leash with a padded handle and swivel snap hook, originating in China.

Heading 4201 covers "Saddlery and harness for any animal (including traces, leads, knee pads, muzzles, saddle cloths, saddle bags, dog coats and the like), of any material." The parenthetical enumeration is non-exhaustive; subheading 4201.00.30.00 eo nomine provides for "Dog leashes, collars, muzzles, harnesses and similar dog equipment." The phrase "of any material" expressly encompasses nylon webbing construction, eliminating any argument that the textile character of the webbing drives classification to Chapter 63.

Heading 6307 covers "Other made up articles, including dress patterns." This is a residual heading. Per GRI 1, a residual provision cannot prevail over a specific eo nomine provision. Because 4201.00.30.00 expressly names dog leashes, Heading 6307 (and subheadings 6307.90.98 et seq.) is displaced.

Heading 7326 (other articles of iron or steel) would apply only if the swivel snap hook imparted essential character under GRI 3(b). The hook is ancillary hardware; the leash's essential character is provided by the nylon webbing body. GRI 3(b) is not reached because GRI 1 resolves classification.

GRI 1 Conclusion

Classification is resolved at GRI 1 under Heading 4201, subheading 4201.00.30.00 (10-digit statistical code present in supplied HTS rows).

Duty Rate

  • General (Column 1): 2.4% ad valorem (as stated in HTS row for 4201.00.30.00)
  • Special: Free (A, AU, BH, CL, CO, D, E, IL, JO, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, SG) — China is not a beneficiary.
  • Column 2 (Other): 35%

Chapter 99 Overlay — Section 301 Tariffs

The HTS row for 4201.00.30.00 carries footnote reference 9903.88.03. Per the supplied Chapter 99 row, 9903.88.03 applies "the duty provided in the applicable subheading + 25%" to covered Chinese-origin articles. This is an additional-overlay flag to verify with a licensed broker or USTR list confirmation. If applicable and no exclusion is in effect, the effective duty rate would be 2.4% + 25% = 27.4% ad valorem.

Annual Duty Exposure Estimate

  • Annual value: 14,000 units × $2.30 = $32,200
  • Base duty @ 2.4%: ~$773
  • If Section 301 applies (+25%): ~$8,823 additional; total ~$9,596

Cited CBP Rulings

All four rulings below classify nylon webbing dog leashes with metal hardware under 4201.00.3000:

  • N035112 (2008): reflective nylon webbing dog leash with metal lobster claw clasp, Philippines → 4201.00.3000
  • F84172 (2000): 100% nylon tubular webbing dog leash with metal clasp → 4201.00.3000
  • M80352 (2006): nylon woven webbing dog leash from China → 4201.00.3000
  • M83255 (2006): nylon woven webbing dog leash with metal buckle from China → 4201.00.3000

Cited CBP rulings

Every ruling below was fetched from CBP’s public CROSS database and verified to exist before this page was published. Links go to the official ruling text.

  • N035112

    What it classified: Dog leash constructed of nylon webbing with reflective strip and metal lobster claw clasp, from the Philippines

    Why it’s analogous: Directly on point: nylon webbing dog leash with reflective feature and metal hardware classified under 4201.00.3000. The subject product is substantively identical — reflective nylon webbing, metal swivel snap hook — differing only in origin (China) and the addition of a padded handle, neither of which affects heading classification.

  • F84172

    What it classified: 100% nylon tubular webbing dog leash with inner bungee cord and metal clasp ('The Absorber Dog Leash'), from Sri Lanka/Korea

    Why it’s analogous: Establishes that nylon webbing dog leashes with metal clasps classify under 4201.00.3000 regardless of additional functional features (bungee core), confirming that the padded handle on the subject product does not alter the classification.

  • M80352

    What it classified: Nylon woven webbing dog leash from China

    Why it’s analogous: Same material (nylon woven webbing), same origin (China), same classification result (4201.00.3000). Directly precedential for the subject product.

  • M83255

    What it classified: Nylon woven webbing dog leash with metal buckle, from China

    Why it’s analogous: Same material, same origin, same classification. Confirms that nylon webbing leashes with metal hardware from China are classified under 4201.00.3000 at a 2.4% general rate.

What the duty looks like

Duty math shown for illustrative declared values — $2.30 per unit at 14,000 units per year is our assumption for this explainer, not a measurement of anyone's imports. Your numbers will differ.

Base duty rate (column 1, general)
2.4%
Annual declared value at the illustrative numbers
$32,200
Base duty per year (illustrative)
$773

Chapter-99 overlay headings flagged on this code

  • 9903.88.03The duty provided in the applicable subheading + 25%. Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)

Overlay applicability depends on origin, entry date, and any active exclusions — verify at entry.

Alternatives considered

The full candidate set from the fetched tariff rows — including rows that would carry a higher duty. Shown so the reasoning is checkable, not to offer a rate menu.

CodeDescriptionGeneral rateNote
6307.90.98Other7%Candidate subheading for 'other made-up textile articles' if the article were not more specifically provided for elsewhere. Displaced by GRI 1 because 4201.00.30.00 eo nomine covers dog leashes 'of any material,' making 6307.90 (a residual provision) inapplicable. No 10-digit code recommended under this subheading as it is ruled out at GRI 1.
7326.20.00Articles of iron or steel wire3.9%Articles of iron or steel wire — general rate 3.9%, 9903.88.03 overlay flag. Applicable only if the swivel snap hook were deemed to impart essential character under GRI 3(b). Ruled out because GRI 1 resolves classification at 4201 and the metal hardware is ancillary to the textile leash body.

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HTS 4201.00.30.00 — Reflective nylon webbing dog leash, 6 foot, with padded handle and swivel snap hook — DutyCheck