HS Code Category

HS Code Candidates for Plastic Phone Cases

Use this page to prepare candidate HS headings, product facts, material and function variants, invoice descriptions, ecommerce catalog fields, and risk flags before official review.

Use HS Code Finder Check CSV Catalog Read Methodology

Answer summary

Product facts to verify

Main material and fiber or chemical composition
Construction: knitted, woven, molded, assembled
Function and intended use
Whether it includes electronics, battery, magnets, leather, or textile
Country of origin and destination market

Use this tool

HS Code Finder Commercial Invoice CSV Catalog Checker

Source note

Candidates are preparation aids only. Verify final code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or the destination tariff database before filing.

Last reviewed

July 2026

Candidate headings table

Review candidates

The table below lists candidate HS headings for plastic phone cases. Each row is a starting point, not a final classification; verify in the destination tariff database before filing.

Code	Heading	Use when
`3923.29`	Other plastic containers, of other plastics	Hard plastic cases and containers; verify the opening size and use.
`3926.90`	Other articles of plastic, not elsewhere specified	Flexible silicone cases, TPU cases, and plastic accessories without electronic function.
`4202.32`	Cases and similar containers, with outer surface of plastic sheeting	Cases with a textile-look or structured plastic outer surface, including structured phone cases.
`8517.79`	Other parts and accessories of telephone sets	Phone cases with electronic function (wireless charging, battery case, LED).

National extensions after the 6-digit heading vary by destination market. Verify the full national code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or UK Trade Tariff before filing.

Decision tree

How to classify plastic phone cases

Step 1: Identify material

Silicone, polycarbonate, TPU, other flexible or hard plastic.

Step 2: Identify function

Protective case, battery case, wireless charging case, wallet case.

Step 3: Check for electronic function

Battery, wireless charging, LED → heading 8517.79. No electronics → chapter 39.

Step 4: Apply the heading

Flexible silicone or TPU: 3926.90. Hard shell: 3923.29 or 3926.90. Wallet with plastic outer surface: 4202.32.

Step 5: Verify origin and Section 301

Check USTR Section 301 list for China-origin rates.

Step 6: Document on the invoice

Material + function + no-battery note.

Material variants

How material changes the code

Material	Typical heading	Notes
Silicone (flexible)	3926.90	Most flexible silicone cases; no outer-surface rule applies; verify no electronic function.
Polycarbonate (hard shell)	3923.29 / 3926.90	Hard shell cases; verify whether the shape fits 3923 or 3926.
TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)	3926.90	TPU cases are usually 3926.90; verify the function and no electronic components.
Clear plastic / acrylic	3926.90	Clear plastic cases; same heading as other flexible plastics.
Hybrid (hard + soft)	3926.90	Hybrid cases usually still classify as plastic articles; verify no electronic function.

Function and use-case variants

How function changes the code

Function	Typical heading	Notes
Protective case (no electronics)	3926.90	Most common ecommerce phone case form; classify by material.
Battery case (rechargeable)	8517.79	Battery cases shift to electronic parts heading; verify watt-hour rating and function.
Wireless charging case	8517.79	Cases with wireless charging function shift to 8517.79.
LED or light-up case	8517.79	Electronic function shifts heading; verify the primary function of the article.
Wallet case (no electronics)	4202.32	Cases with card slots and no electronics may shift to 4202.32 if outer surface is plastic sheeting.

Risk flags

Source-check required

Flag	Impact on classification	Where to verify
Electronic function	Cases with wireless charging, battery, or LED function shift to heading 8517.79.	USITC HTS chapter 85 notes, EU TARIC chapter 85.
Battery content	Battery-powered cases trigger dangerous goods and lithium battery rules.	IATA DGR, 49 CFR, destination battery rules.
Plastic outer surface rule for 4202	Cases with structured plastic outer surface (wallet cases, structured bumpers) may qualify for 4202.32.	HS explanatory notes for heading 42.02.
Country of origin	Section 301 additional tariff may apply on top of base duty for China-origin plastic cases.	USTR Section 301 list, USITC HTS.
Clear plastic description	Write "plastic" not "acrylic" unless the material is confirmed to be polymethyl methacrylate.	USITC HTS chapter 39 notes.

Risk flags signal the need for official review before the candidate code is used on customs documents.

Invoice description examples

Strong descriptions

Strong invoice descriptions include material, function, product type, and key components (battery, electronics, magnet, leather, textile). Avoid generic words such as gift, sample, accessory, or product. The descriptions below are examples only, not final classifications.

Silicone protective phone case, flexible, no battery, no electronics
Polycarbonate hard shell phone case, snap-on, no battery, no electronics
TPU shockproof phone case, no battery, no electronics
Clear plastic phone cover, no battery, no electronics
Plastic hybrid phone case (hard + soft), no battery, no electronics

Use these descriptions on the commercial invoice line item, with the candidate HS code and country of origin declared per line.

Ecommerce catalog fields

Shopify, WooCommerce, and CSV fields to check

Before labels and invoices are generated, prepare these fields in your ecommerce catalog. The CSV Catalog Checker scans Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, or custom CSV exports for missing customs fields locally in your browser.

Field	Why it matters
SKU	Stable identifier; maps catalog row to invoice line.
Material (silicone / polycarbonate / TPU / other plastic)	Drives the heading; must be on the invoice.
Includes battery?	Battery function gates heading 8517.79; must be on the invoice.
Includes electronics or wireless charging?	Electronic function shifts the heading to chapter 85.
Country of origin	Drives Section 301 additional tariff for China-origin goods.
Candidate HS code	Working candidate from the AI HS Code Finder; never a final classification.
Customs description	Strong description (material + function + no-battery note) used on the commercial invoice.
Unit value and currency	Customs value input; affects duty base.

Pair this with the Commercial Invoice Generator, the HS Code Finder, and the CSV Catalog Checker.

Worked example

Worked example: classifying a $4 silicone phone case

Scenario: A Shopify merchant imports 2,000 silicone phone cases from China at a unit value of $4, FOB Shenzhen, sold to US buyers. The case is flexible silicone, has no battery, and has no electronic function.

Step 1: identify product facts. Material: silicone (flexible plastic). Function: protective case. No battery, no electronics. Origin: China.
Step 2: pick the closest heading. Flexible silicone cases without electronics fall under 3926.90.
Step 3: confirm no electronic function. No battery, no wireless charging, no LED; stays in chapter 39.
Step 4: check origin and additional tariff. Origin is China; check USTR Section 301 list for current rate on 3926.90.
Step 5: write the invoice description. Use "silicone protective phone case, flexible, no battery, no electronics."
Step 6: document the basis. Short note: material silicone flexible, function protective case, no battery, candidate 3926.90, country of origin China.

Final classification depends on product facts, destination tariff rules, and official review. The candidate is preparation aid only.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Classifying battery cases and non-battery cases under the same heading.
Treating flexible silicone cases as hard plastic containers (3923 vs 3926).
Skipping the electronic function check and missing the chapter 85 shift.
Using "acrylic" without confirming the material is polymethyl methacrylate.
Skipping the Section 301 check for China-origin plastic accessories.

Related Tools

Continue the workflow

Editorial

About this category page

Written by the TariffCatalog Editorial Team. Maintained by Ryan Cole and reviewed for candidate-only customs-data workflow clarity.

This page follows TariffCatalog's methodology for candidate-only classification, estimate-only calculators, and document draft workflows. Candidates are preparation aids, not binding classifications.

Methodology Sources Report an error

Maintainer

Reviewed by Ryan Cole

Ryan Cole maintains TariffCatalog from the perspective of a long-time ecommerce operator with 15+ years of experience in product catalog, international shipping, and pre-shipment data workflows. This page is reviewed for candidate-only HS code preparation, source-check clarity, and estimate-only or candidate-only wording.

TariffCatalog is a preparation aid, not a customs broker, legal, tax, or freight-forwarding service. Verify final classifications, rates, documents, and filing treatment with official sources or qualified professionals.

Official Source Note

Check final codes

USITC HTS

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

CBP

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

EU TARIC

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

UK Trade Tariff

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

FAQ

Common questions

Are these HS code candidates binding?

No. The headings on this page are candidates, preparation aids based on material and function facts. Final classification depends on material, function, destination tariff rules, and any binding ruling in effect. Verify the final code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff, or the destination tariff database before filing.

Do battery cases have a different heading?

Yes. Cases with rechargeable batteries shift the classification from chapter 39 to heading 8517.79 (parts and accessories of telephone sets). Verify the watt-hour rating and function before assigning the heading.

What heading do silicone phone cases fall under?

Flexible silicone phone cases without electronic function typically fall under heading 3926.90 (other articles of plastic). Hard polycarbonate cases may fall under 3923.29 (other plastic containers). Verify the material and function before assigning the heading.

Do wireless charging cases have a different heading?

Yes. Cases with wireless charging capability have an electronic function and shift the classification to heading 8517.79 (other parts and accessories of telephone sets). Verify the primary function of the article.

What should the commercial invoice say for a plastic phone case?

Write material + function + no-battery note. For example: "silicone protective phone case, flexible, no battery, no electronics." Avoid generic words such as accessory or gadget.

Do phone cases from China have additional tariffs?

Yes. Section 301 additional tariffs apply to China-origin plastic cases. Check the USTR Section 301 tariff list for the current rate on the relevant HTS subheading. The Import Duty Calculator allows you to enter a base duty rate and a separate additional tariff rate.

What about wallet cases with card slots?

Cases with card slots and no electronic function may qualify for heading 4202.32 (cases with outer surface of plastic sheeting) when the outer surface is plastic sheeting. Verify the outer surface material and construction before assigning the heading.

When should I ask a broker for phone case classification?

Ask a licensed broker or trade specialist when the product is battery-powered, high-volume, regularly shipped, or subject to a current trade investigation. A written classification opinion can protect the importer during a post-entry audit.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Disclaimer

TariffCatalog provides candidate HS code suggestions, estimate-only calculators, and document drafts. Verify final classifications, duty rates, document requirements, and filing obligations with official sources, carriers, brokers, or destination authorities before filing or shipping.

Candidate headings on this page are preparation aids, not binding classifications. Final classification depends on exact product facts and the destination tariff rules in effect on the entry date.