U.S. imports of Tortoise-Shell, Whalebone, Horns, Hooves, Claws, Beaks & Similar Animal Materials, Unworked or Simply Prepared (HS 050790) totaled $480K in August 2026, imported from 16 countries.
Importers of Tortoise-Shell, Whalebone, Horns, Hooves, Claws, Beaks & Similar Animal Materials, Unworked or Simply Prepared paid $58K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.16% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Tortoise-Shell, Whalebone, Horns, Hooves, Claws, Beaks & Similar Animal Materials, Unworked or Simply Prepared imports of $480K in August 2026 ran 35% above the year-to-date monthly average of $357K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataThis heading covers a broad range of unworked or simply prepared animal hard materials — tortoise-shell, whalebone and its hair, horns, hooves, claws, and beaks — along with their powder and waste, and includes velvet antler (0507900010), a specialty product traded for use in traditional medicine and dietary supplements. Poland and Canada are the leading US suppliers, with Brazil and South Korea also among the top sources. Many articles in this heading — particularly tortoise-shell and whalebone — are subject to CITES restrictions or outright trade prohibitions, requiring USFWS permits and CITES documentation. Velvet antler, by contrast, is commercially traded with fewer restrictions but may be subject to FDA oversight when marketed for health claims.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
18 import shipments a month
Velvet antler (0507900010) — typically sourced from deer or elk — does not carry the same CITES restrictions as tortoise-shell or whalebone, but importers marketing it as a dietary supplement must comply with FDA's Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) labeling and safety requirements. USDA APHIS may also require health certificates for certain animal-derived materials to address disease risk. Importers should confirm current APHIS import conditions for the specific species and country of origin.
CITES status depends on the species, not the heading. Tortoise-shell from sea turtles (all species) is CITES Appendix I — effectively prohibited in commercial trade. Whalebone from most whale species is also Appendix I. Horns, hooves, and antlers from non-listed species generally do not require CITES permits. Importers should identify the source species precisely and consult the CITES species database and USFWS import requirements before shipment, as misidentification can result in seizure.
Subheading 1 of 2 in heading 0507
Subheading 050790 · $480K of $480K
ImportsExports
Imports
$480KYoY · free account
Exports
$20KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $4.4M of Tortoise-Shell, Whalebone, Horns, Hooves, Claws, Beaks & Similar Animal Materials, Unworked or Simply Prepared and exported $3.9M.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 050790 — Tortoise-Shell, Whalebone, Horns, Hooves, Claws, Beaks & Similar Animal Materials, Unworked or Simply Prepared, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0507900090 | Tortoise-Shell, Whalebone, Horns, Etc &powder/Waste | $480K | 12.16% | 81.63% | $58K |
| 0507900010 | Velvet Antler, Unworkd/Simply Preprd, N/Cut to Shape | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0507900000 | Tortoise-Shell, Whalebone, Horns, Etc, &powder/Waste | $20K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Poland and Canada together supply 82% of it. Brazil pays 37.5% duty; Canada 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
18.4% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.16% of imports for consumption.