HS Code for Keychains

There is no dedicated HS code for a keychain, so a keychain is classified by the material it is made of, applying the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI). A key ring or keychain of base metal (iron or steel) points toward heading 7326, the broad provision for other articles of iron or steel, in the 7326.90 group: a plain metal keyring points toward the residual 'other' line at 7326.90.86 (around 2.9%), while a key case or holder carried on the person points toward 7326.90.35 (around 7.8%). Because material is the spine of the analysis, a plastic keychain points instead toward heading 3926, and a precious-metal fob toward chapter 71 (headings 7113 or 7117). Confirming the principal material of the keychain is the first step in exploring the most appropriate heading.

Keychains have no dedicated heading in the HTSUS, so there is no single 'keychain' code to look up. Instead a keychain is classified by what it is made of, following the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI); the material of the article, and where it is composite the material that gives it its essential character, is the spine of the analysis. That is why the same word 'keychain' can point toward several different headings depending on composition.

For the most common case (a key ring or keychain of base metal, meaning iron or steel) the article points toward heading 7326, the residual provision for other articles of iron or steel. Within the 7326.90 group, a plain metal keyring or key fob that is simply an 'other' steel article points toward the residual line at 7326.90.86, estimated around 2.9%. A key case, key wallet or small key holder designed to be carried on the person, in the pocket or in the handbag points instead toward the containers-carried-on-the-person line at 7326.90.35, estimated around 7.8%. So even within the base-metal branch, whether the item is a bare ring or a fitted key case changes the line.

Material is the threshold question because heading 7326 only reaches articles of iron or steel. A keychain made mainly of plastics points toward heading 3926, the other-articles-of-plastics provision, rather than 7326. A decorative keychain or fob of precious metal points toward chapter 71 (the imitation-jewelry and precious-metal-article provisions in headings 7113 and 7117) rather than the base-metal heading. And a keychain of another base metal, such as aluminum or zinc alloy, points toward that metal's own 'other articles' heading. Under the GRI, the material that gives the keychain its essential character is what steers it into the right chapter.

A practical approach is to confirm the keychain's principal material first, then, within the base-metal branch, describe the article precisely (a bare keyring versus a fitted key case or holder) to steer toward the right 7326.90 line. Because heading 7326 is a catch-all and keychains are not named there directly, the exact composition and construction are worth reviewing: a plastic keychain points toward heading 3926, a precious-metal fob toward chapter 71, and a base-metal key case toward 7326.90.35 rather than the plain-ring line. Applying the material-first GRI approach keeps the analysis anchored to the article's essential character rather than the label 'keychain'.

Because a keychain is classified by material, the estimated duty depends on the material and the exact article. A plain base-metal keyring at 7326.90.86 is estimated around 2.9%, while a key case or holder carried on the person at 7326.90.35 is estimated around 7.8%. A plastic keychain points toward heading 3926 and a precious-metal fob toward chapter 71 (7113 or 7117), each carrying its own rate worth reviewing separately. Preferential rates under free trade agreements or programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences may reduce or eliminate these duties for qualifying origins. Because keychains are not named directly and the applicable line depends on material and form, these figures should be treated as estimates for general planning purposes only.