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Updated September 19, 2026

What is the HTS code for self-sealing water balloons?

HTS code

9503.00.0013

CBP classified a bunch of 30 self-sealing latex water balloons on plastic tubes with a hose adapter under HTS 9503.00.0013 in ruling N337487. That line covers inflatable toy balls and balloons labeled or determined by the importer as intended for use by persons 3 to 12 years of age.

  • Made in China
  • CBP ruling N337487
  • January 19, 2024
  • Current
Today's duty from China

The Product

  • A bunch of 30 latex balloons, each attached to its own plastic tube.
  • The tubes sit on a single-use, self-sealing hose adapter nozzle that attaches to a spigot or faucet.
  • Fills the whole bunch with water in about 60 seconds; each balloon seals itself when pulled off its tube.
  • Designed to be filled with water and used by young children aged 3 and older with adult supervision.

CBP's Ruling

ItemHTS codeCBP's description of the line
Self-sealing balloonsHTS 9503.00.0013Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys…dolls, other toys…puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof… ‘Children’s products’ as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2052: Inflatable toy balls, balloons …: Labeled or determined by importer as intended for use by persons: 3 to 12 years of age

Explanation

Heading 9503 names other toys, and CBP placed the balloons on the line for inflatable toy balls and balloons labeled or determined by the importer as intended for use by persons 3 to 12 years of age. The balloons are designed to be filled with water and used by young children aged 3 years and older.

Does this apply to your product?

It likely does if you can answer yes to each of these:

  • Is it a latex balloon designed to be filled with water?
  • Is it a toy for young children?
  • Is it labeled or determined by the importer as intended for persons 3 to 12 years of age?

A no to any of them can mean a different code. A licensed broker can classify your product.

The code today

HTS codeIn today's scheduleWhere it sitsToday's duty
9503.00.0013✓ Still in the scheduleHeading 9503 › 3 to 12 years of ageToday's duty from China 

Checked against today's tariff schedule. The duty calculator opens with the code and country filled in.

Related rulings

N337024 also covers self-sealing water balloons, together with a wading pool. N301522 covers self-sealing party balloons and a party balloon pump set, and N305917 and N305918 cover balloons.

  • N337024December 19, 2023Wading pool and self-sealing water balloons from China9503.00.0013, 9506.99.5500
  • N301522November 28, 2018Self-sealing party balloons and a party balloon pump set from China8414.59.6560, 9503.00.0013
  • N305917September 17, 2019Balloons from China9503.00.0073
  • N305918September 17, 2019Balloons from China9503.00.0073
  • N336465November 29, 2023Telescopes from China9005.80.4040, 9503.00.0073
  • N299207August 15, 2018“XSHOT Pump” and various “Bunch O Balloons” items from China8424.20.1000, 9503.00.0073
  • N327599August 18, 2022Hypnotic aquarium from China9503.00.0090
  • N339910May 24, 2024Paper puppets from China9503.00.0073
Read CBP's full ruling N337487 The letter as CBP published it, on rulings.cbp.gov

Borderless, a licensed U.S. customs brokerage, summarized CBP ruling N337487 in plain English and checked its codes against the letter and today's tariff schedule. A ruling applies only to goods that match its facts; our terms explain the rest. Terms