The tariff classification of a Halloween light string from China.
Issued December 23, 2008 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Tariff classification
HTS codes: 9817.95.05, 9405.40.8000
Product description
The 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is a light string consisting of a twisted pair of white insulated conductors measuring approximately 12 feet in length, with 50 white miniature lamp-holders featuring clear filament lamps and three 30 inch tall ghosts. Three plastic posts are secured to the light string at 20 inch intervals and are used to suspend the ghosts. One end of the light string features a 120 Volt (V) 2-prong plug/socket combination. The light string set is designed for indoor and outdoor use and marketed to decorate the home during the Halloween holiday season. This string may be draped, hung or displayed in various areas of the home (i.e. rain gutters, eaves, railings, etc.). The 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is a light string also known as electric garland. Electric garland was defined in Ruling HQ 963311 as “an article…able to be hung or displayed and is composed of a string of light bulbs which are powered by an electrical source either attached by a battery, cord, or plug.” The 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is classifiable under subheading 9405.40.8000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for other electric lamps and lighting fittings. However, these items are in the form of a three-dimensional representation of a symbol or motif closely associated with Halloween (i.e. Jack-O-Lanterns, Spiders, Ghosts, etc.). From the information you provided, they are designed, marketed and sold during and in celebration of Halloween, which is a recognized holiday in the United States (see HQ H019363). Accordingly, the 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is eligible for duty-free treatment under subheading 9817.95.05, HTSUS.
CBP rationale
The applicable subheading for the 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set, item number 96120 will be 9817.95.05, HTSUS, which provides for “Articles classifiable in subheadings…9405.
Full text
N046840 December 23, 2008 CLA-2-94:OT:RR:NC:1:110 CATEGORY: Classification TARIFF NO.: 9405.40.8000; 9817.95.05 Ms. Julie Hsia Santa’s Best Craft, Ltd. 204 Spring Hill Road Trumbull, CT 06611 RE: The tariff classification of a Halloween light string from China. Dear Ms. Hsia: In your letter dated December 9, 2008, you requested a tariff classification ruling. The merchandise under consideration is the 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set, item number 96120. A sample of the light string was submitted with your ruling request and will be returned to you. The 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is a light string consisting of a twisted pair of white insulated conductors measuring approximately 12 feet in length, with 50 white miniature lamp-holders featuring clear filament lamps and three 30 inch tall ghosts. Three plastic posts are secured to the light string at 20 inch intervals and are used to suspend the ghosts. One end of the light string features a 120 Volt (V) 2-prong plug/socket combination. The light string set is designed for indoor and outdoor use and marketed to decorate the home during the Halloween holiday season. This string may be draped, hung or displayed in various areas of the home (i.e. rain gutters, eaves, railings, etc.). The 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is a light string also known as electric garland. Electric garland was defined in Ruling HQ 963311 as “an article…able to be hung or displayed and is composed of a string of light bulbs which are powered by an electrical source either attached by a battery, cord, or plug.” The 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is classifiable under subheading 9405.40.8000, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), which provides for other electric lamps and lighting fittings. However, these items are in the form of a three-dimensional representation of a symbol or motif closely associated with Halloween (i.e. Jack-O-Lanterns, Spiders, Ghosts, etc.). From the information you provided, they are designed, marketed and sold during and in celebration of Halloween, which is a recognized holiday in the United States (see HQ H019363). Accordingly, the 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set is eligible for duty-free treatment under subheading 9817.95.05, HTSUS. The applicable subheading for the 3-piece Halloween Hanging Ghost Set, item number 96120 will be 9817.95.05, HTSUS, which provides for “Articles classifiable in subheadings…9405.20, 9405.40 or 9405.50, the foregoing meeting the descriptions set forth below: Utilitarian articles in the form of a three-dimensional representation of a symbol or motif clearly associated with a specific holiday in the United States.” The general rate of duty will be Free. Duty rates are provided for your convenience and are subject to change. The text of the most recent HTSUS and the accompanying duty rates are provided on World Wide Web at http://www.usitc.gov/tata/hts/. This ruling is being issued under the provisions of Part 177 of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. 177). A copy of the ruling or the control number indicated above should be provided with the entry documents filed at the time this merchandise is imported. If you have any questions regarding the ruling, contact National Import Specialist Thomas Campanelli at (646) 733-3016. Sincerely, Robert B. Swierupski Director National Commodity Specialist Division
Ruling history
More rulings on the same tariff codes
The tariff classification of a textile Halloween Basket from China
The tariff classification of a plastic bowl from China Ms. Lawrence In your letter dated February 2, 2026, you requested a tariff classification ruling. A sample and an import quote sheet was submitted with your request. The sample will be retained by this office. The item is referred to as a 3D Ghost Ramekin, SKU #43846501. The three-dimensional, round, white bowl is shaped like a ghost’s face. The item measures approximately 3.62 inches long by 3.62 inches wide by 2.17 inches high. The bowl is made from 50% melamine and 50% urea plastic materials. You have indicated that the bowl is food-safe, but it’s not dishwasher, microwave, or oven-safe. The item will be marketed and sold during the Halloween season. The volume capacity of the bowl is 6.4 fluid ounces. You refer to this item as a ramekin. A ramekin is an individual baking dish used in the oven. This article is a plastic bowl and is not heatproof. The applicable subheading for the Ghost bowl, SKU#43846501, will be 3924.10.2000, H
The tariff classification of ceramic cups and a ceramic coaster set from China
The tariff classification of a plastic water bottle from China
The tariff classification of ceramic tableware articles from China
The tariff classification of soap dispensers and bathroom holders from China
The tariff classification of ceramic incense burner sets from China
The tariff classification of plastic drinking vessels from China
The tariff classification of a ceramic cup and a plastic tumbler from China
The tariff classification of ceramic bowls and ceramic plates from China
Searching CBP rulings the smart way
TariffLens semantically searches all 200,000+ CBP rulings, surfaces the ones that actually match your product, and builds defensible classifications backed by ruling citations.
Book a demo →