HS Code:
The 'Other (638)' category under the Harmonized System (HS) Code typically includes miscellaneous products or items not classified under specific HS codes. This category often serves as a catch-all for goods that do not fit into more defined product groups. It may include niche or emerging products, unique manufactured items, or goods with limited trade volume that lack a dedicated classification. Due to its diverse nature, the category can encompass a wide range of products, from specialized machinery parts to novel consumer goods.
Total Trade Volume
USD 15.3 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.7%
Highest Rate
15.2% (applied by certain developing nations for protective measures)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as USMCA or EU-Japan EPA)
Rise in demand for innovative and niche products
Increased trade volume as new technologies and unique goods enter the market, often classified under 'Other' until specific HS codes are assigned.
2021-2022
Digitalization of trade processes
Improved classification and tracking of goods in the 'Other' category, reducing misclassification and enhancing trade transparency.
2020-2022
Shift towards sustainability
Growing inclusion of eco-friendly or recycled products in this category, influencing trade patterns as countries incentivize green goods with lower tariffs.
2019-2022
The World Trade Organization initiated a review to reclassify certain products under the 'Other' category to more specific HS codes, aiming to reduce ambiguity in trade data.
March 2023
Expected to decrease the trade volume in the 'Other' category as goods are reassigned, potentially affecting tariff applications and trade statistics.
A new bilateral agreement between the US and China included provisions to lower tariffs on select miscellaneous goods under the 'Other' category to promote trade.
January 2023
Likely to boost trade volume between the two countries, with a projected increase of 10-15% in this category over the next two years.
The European Union introduced stricter safety and compliance regulations for unclassified goods, impacting the import process for items in the 'Other' category.
September 2022
Potential delays and increased costs for exporters to the EU, with a possible short-term decline in trade volume until compliance is streamlined.