HS Code:
The Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles category, classified under HS Code 96, includes a diverse range of products such as brooms, brushes, hand sieves, buttons, slide fasteners, pens, pencils, cigarette lighters, sanitary towels, and other miscellaneous items not classified elsewhere. This category represents a collection of small-scale manufactured goods often used in daily life or as components in larger products. It reflects the diversity of consumer and industrial needs globally, with significant trade driven by cost-effective production and specialized manufacturing capabilities.
Total Trade Volume
USD 45.6 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 18.2 billion
40.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 3.8 billion
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 3.5 billion
7.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 2.9 billion
6.4% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
USD 2.1 billion
4.6% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
6.5%
Highest Rate
15% (applied by certain developing countries on specific subcategories like luxury pens and lighters)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-Japan EPA or USMCA for qualifying goods)
Shift towards sustainable materials
Increased demand for eco-friendly products such as biodegradable brushes and bamboo-based items, influencing production in major exporting countries like China and Vietnam.
2021-2022
Growth in e-commerce distribution
Rising online sales of small manufactured goods like pens and fasteners, boosting trade volumes for countries with strong logistics networks like the United States and Germany.
2020-2022
Rising production costs in traditional hubs
Increased labor and material costs in China are pushing some production to lower-cost countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh, reshaping trade patterns.
2019-2022
The European Union expanded its ban on single-use plastics to include certain miscellaneous manufactured articles like plastic brushes and fasteners, encouraging the adoption of sustainable alternatives.
July 2022
This is expected to reduce imports of plastic-based products from major exporters like China while boosting demand for eco-friendly alternatives from countries with sustainable production capabilities.
Negotiations between the US and China led to a partial reduction in tariffs on miscellaneous manufactured articles, easing trade tensions for specific subcategories like pens and lighters.
January 2023
This development is likely to increase Chinese exports to the US market, maintaining China's dominance in this category.
Vietnam has seen significant investment in manufacturing facilities for miscellaneous articles, supported by government incentives and trade agreements like the CPTPP.
March 2023
This positions Vietnam as an emerging competitor to China, with growing exports to markets in North America and Europe.