Manufactures of straw, esparto or other plaiting materials; basketware and wickerwork

HS code 46 covers a diverse range of products made from natural plaiting materials such as straw, esparto, and other plant-based fibers. These items include baskets, mats, hats, and a variety of other woven and braided goods. This industry plays an important role in many local and regional economies, particularly in developing countries where the production of these traditional handicrafts is a significant source of income and employment. The products classified under HS 46 find application across various sectors, from home decor and furniture to packaging and agricultural uses, making it an integral part of the broader global trade landscape.

The production of goods under HS 46 typically involves traditional handweaving and plaiting techniques. Artisans and craftspeople use a variety of natural fibers, such as straw, reeds, grasses, and bamboo, to create intricate patterns and designs. The raw materials are often sourced locally and undergo minimal processing before being transformed into the final products. Depending on the specific item, the manufacturing process may include steps like soaking, drying, dyeing, and assembling the plaited or woven components.

The primary inputs for the HS 46 industry are the natural fibers and materials used for plaiting and weaving, such as 1401 Vegetable plaiting materials, 1403 Cereal straw and husks, unprepared, and 1404 Vegetable products not elsewhere specified or included. Additionally, the industry may require basic tools and equipment, such as knives, scissors, and specialized weaving frames or looms. In some cases, dyes, adhesives, or other finishing materials may also be used to enhance the final products.

The diverse range of products classified under HS 46 includes a wide variety of woven, plaited, and braided items, such as baskets, mats, hats, bags, and other decorative or functional goods. These outputs are often consumed by industries like 4202 Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewelry boxes, powder-boxes, 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, 6504 Hats and other headgear, plaited or made by assembling strips of any material, whether or not lined or trimmed, and 9403 Other furniture and parts thereof.