## Common ground
All options describe hair and head bands made from different materials or designed for specific uses.
## Options at a glance
**3926.20 – Plastic materials**
- **Defining trait:** Made primarily from plastic, often rigid or semi-rigid.
- **Typical examples:** Clear plastic hair clips, molded headbands with hard plastic frames.
- **Best fit when:** The band is made of molded or extruded plastic, not flexible or textile-based.
**4016.99 – Vulcanised rubber (other than hard rubber)**
- **Defining trait:** Made from soft, elastic vulcanised rubber; typically flexible and stretchy.
- **Typical examples:** Rubber hair ties, soft rubber headbands for sports.
- **Best fit when:** The band is made of soft, stretchable rubber with no textile or metal components.
**5609.00 – Rubber core with man-made braided yarns**
- **Defining trait:** Features a rubber core wrapped in synthetic braided fibers; combines elasticity and texture.
- **Typical examples:** Stretchy hairbands with visible braided synthetic covering (e.g., "spandex-style" bands).
- **Best fit when:** The band has a rubber core covered by a woven or braided man-made fiber layer.
**6117.80 – Knitted textile materials**
- **Defining trait:** Made from knitted fabric, usually soft and stretchy.
- **Typical examples:** Knit headbands for hair, soft fabric bands with loops.
- **Best fit when:** The band is made of knitted cotton, polyester, or similar fabric.
**6217.10 – Non-knitted textile materials**
- **Defining trait:** Made from woven, felted, or non-knitted textiles; less stretchy than knitted types.
- **Typical examples:** Woven fabric headbands, felt hair bands, ribbon-style bands.
- **Best fit when:** The band is made of non-stretchy, structured textile material.
**9505.90 – Festive or entertainment articles**
- **Defining trait:** Designed for costumes, parties, or events (e.g., Halloween, Carnival).
- **Typical examples:** Feathered headbands, themed hair scrunchies, holiday-themed accessories.
- **Best fit when:** The product is clearly intended for fun, costume, or seasonal use.
**9615.1X – Base metals**
- **Defining trait:** Made of metal (e.g., steel, aluminum) as the primary material.
- **Typical examples:** Metal hair clips, metallic headbands with decorative frames.
- **Best fit when:** The band contains significant metal components, especially in structure or design.
## Key differences
| Option | Material Type | Flexibility | Primary Use | Decorative Focus |
|-------|----------------|--------------|---------------|--------------------|
| 3926.20 | Plastic | Rigid/semi-rigid | Functional | Low |
| 4016.99 | Soft rubber | Highly flexible | Functional | Low |
| 5609.00 | Rubber + synthetic yarn | Flexible | Functional | Medium |
| 6117.80 | Knitted textile | Stretchy | Comfort/Style | Medium |
| 6217.10 | Non-knitted textile | Low stretch | Style/Structure | Medium |
| 9505.90 | Mixed (often non-textile) | Varies | Festive/entertainment | High |
| 9615.1X | Metal | Rigid | Decorative/functional | High |
## How to choose
- Is it made of plastic? → 3926.20
- Is it soft rubber with no fabric or metal? → 4016.99
- Does it have a rubber core wrapped in braided synthetic yarn? → 5609.00
- Is it knitted fabric? → 6117.80
- Is it woven, felted, or non-knitted textile? → 6217.10
- Is it for Halloween, Carnival, or a costume event? → 9505.90
- Does it contain metal as the main material? → 9615.1X
## Overlaps & pitfalls
- A knitted headband with metallic threads could fit both 6117.80 and 9615.1X.
- A festive headband made of fabric may overlap 6117.80/6217.10 and 9505.90.
- **Priority:** Use the MAIN function or defining feature. If it’s for a costume, use 9505.90 even if made of textile. If it's metal-based, use 9615.1X regardless of decoration