HS Code:
The category under HS Code 7319 includes sewing needles, knitting needles, bodkins, crochet hooks, embroidery stilettos, and similar hand-use articles made of iron or steel, as well as safety pins and other pins of iron or steel not elsewhere specified or included. These products are essential in textile and garment industries, household use, and handicraft activities. They are typically low-cost, high-volume items that are traded globally, with production often concentrated in countries with strong manufacturing capabilities and low labor costs.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database, International Trade Centre (ITC)
$650 million USD
54.2% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$120 million USD
10.0% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$90 million USD
7.5% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$70 million USD
5.8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$50 million USD
4.2% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
Average Rate
5.3% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU Single Market or USMCA)
Shift towards automation in needle production
Reduces production costs and increases output, benefiting large exporters like China and India
2021-2022
Growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly materials
Encourages innovation in biodegradable or recycled steel products, impacting traditional manufacturing
2022
Rise in DIY and handicraft activities post-COVID-19
Boosts demand for knitting needles, crochet hooks, and embroidery tools, especially in North America and Europe
2020-2022
The European Union introduced anti-dumping duties ranging from 5-8% on steel pins and needles from China to protect domestic producers.
March 2023
Increases costs for EU importers, potentially shifting trade to other exporters like India or Vietnam.
Updated rules of origin under USMCA have reduced tariffs on steel pins and needles traded between the US, Canada, and Mexico.
January 2023
Encourages intra-regional trade and reduces dependency on Asian imports.
Major manufacturers in Japan and Germany have introduced high-precision needles for industrial and medical use, expanding market segments.
September 2022
Increases export value for premium products, creating a niche market alongside mass-produced items.