HS code for phone cases: candidates and classification factors
Short answer
Most fitted phone cases are researched in heading 4202 as containers. Fabric and plastic-sheeting cases point to 4202.92, molded plastic or silicone cases to 4202.99, and wallet-style cases built to be carried in a pocket or handbag can point to 4202.32.
This output is general information at the 6-digit level only. The final classification for any entry must be determined by a licensed customs broker or the importer. This page is not a classification of your product.
A phone case is not classified with phones. CBP rulings treat most fitted cases as containers similar to camera cases, then split them by outer-surface material. A minority of rulings treat thin shells as articles of plastic, so the construction details matter.
Six-digit candidates to research
| Subheading | Official text (source) | May fit when | May not fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4202.92 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; traveling bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toiletry bags, knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanized fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper: › Other: ›With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: | A fitted case or pouch whose outer surface is textile or plastic sheeting — the subheading most often used in CBP rulings on phone cases. | The outer surface is molded plastic, silicone or leather, or the case is a wallet-style article. Facts needed: Outer-surface material · Sheeting or molded construction |
| 4202.99 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; traveling bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toiletry bags, knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanized fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper: › Other: ›Other: | A fitted case with an outer surface of molded plastic, silicone, metal or another material that is not leather, textile or sheeting. | The outer surface is textile, sheeting or leather, or the article is not treated as a container. Facts needed: Molding process · Exact material |
| 4202.32 | Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; traveling bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toiletry bags, knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanized fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper: › Articles of a kind normally carried in the pocket or in the handbag: ›With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: | A folio or wallet case with card slots, of textile or plastic sheeting, designed to be carried in a pocket or handbag. | There are no wallet features, or the outer surface is another material. Facts needed: Card slots or cash pocket · Outer-surface material |
| 3926.90 | Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914: ›Other: | A thin plastic shell or cover that is not treated as a container — this has occurred in a minority of rulings. | The case encloses and protects the phone in the manner of a container, which is the more common outcome. Facts needed: How much of the phone is enclosed · Design and thickness |
Official text from the U.S. International Trade Commission, 2026 HTS Revision 21, retrieved October 14, 2026. Page last reviewed October 15, 2026.
Facts that change the classification
- Outer-surface material
- Textile or plastic sheeting points to 4202.92; molded plastic, silicone or other materials to 4202.99; leather to 4202.91.
- Container or cover
- A case that holds and protects the phone is usually treated as a container. A minimal shell or skin may be considered an article of its material.
- Wallet or card features
- Folio cases with card slots that are carried in a pocket or handbag can fall in the 4202.3x group for wallets and similar articles.
- Electronics built in
- Battery cases, lights or speakers add an electrical function, which can move the product out of heading 4202 entirely.
Common mistakes
- Classifying a phone case with telephones or telephone parts.
A case is not a part of the phone. Research it under containers or plastic articles.
- Calling silicone “sheeting” because the case is soft.
Molded silicone is a molded outer surface, which usually points to 4202.99.
- Ignoring built-in batteries or electronics.
A battery case has an electrical function. Research it as an electrical article, not as a container.
Examples
“Slim clear case, molded TPU, raised edges, fitted to a specific phone model”
- Molded plastic outer surface
- Fitted protective container
These facts point research toward 4202.99.
“Folio case, PU leather on polyester backing, three card slots and magnetic closure”
- Plastic sheeting outer surface
- Wallet features
These facts make 4202.32 and 4202.92 the candidates to compare.
CBP rulings to read
Rulings apply to the specific facts presented to CBP. Read them for the reasoning rather than copying a code.
- N249142 4202.92 · January 10, 2014
The tariff classification of a generic cell phone case from China
- N217595 4202.99 · June 13, 2012
The tariff classification of a cell phone case from China
- N336903 4202.32 · December 15, 2023
The tariff classification of a cell phone cover with a card case from Cambodia
- N289282 3926.90 · August 30, 2017
The tariff classification of a cell phone case from China.
Frequently asked questions
Are silicone phone cases classified as plastics in Chapter 39?
Usually not. Most fitted silicone cases are researched as containers in heading 4202 with a molded outer surface, which points to 4202.99. A few thin covers have been treated as plastic articles in 3926.90.
Does a card slot change the code?
It can. Wallet-style folio cases designed to be carried in a pocket or handbag may fall in the 4202.3x group instead of 4202.9x.
Is the six-digit candidate enough for a U.S. customs entry?
No. The six-digit HS level is general information and a research starting point. The importer or a licensed customs broker must determine the complete U.S. classification used for any entry.
Related product guides
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Describe your item in plain language. HTS Assist searches the active USITC tariff schedule, legal notes and CBP rulings, ranks six-digit candidates with a confidence score, and asks about the facts that could change the result.
This output is general information at the 6-digit level only. The final classification for any entry must be determined by a licensed customs broker or the importer.