Textiles, leather and furskins
Definition

(list of HS codes covered by this card)
Raw textiles and fibres including staple fibres; wadding; felt etc.

Yarn; monofilaments; sewing thread; filament tow; thread and cord; twine; cordage; ropes; cables etc.

Woven fabrics; nonwovens; knitted or crocheted fabrics

Leather, furskins, hides and skins, artificial fur

For waste yarn, fibres, fabrics, textiles, leather and furskins see specific card for “Waste

For products packaged for retail sale and finished articles, see specific card for “Retail packages and finished articles


Textiles, leather and furskins
Recommended minimum quantity for each final sample Textile fibres: 150 g

Yarns: 2 m (200 m for determination of the TEX)

Wool: 1 kg

Homogeneous Woven Fabrics: 15 cm covering complete piece width

Heterogeneous Woven Fabrics: A complete motif length covering complete piece width

Nonwovens; knitted or crocheted fabrics: 1 m2

Leather and furskins: piece of 50 x 50 cm

Applicable standards (ISO and EU Norms) and relevant legislation
  • ISO 1130 Textile fibres – Some methods of sampling for testing
  • ISO 5086 Textile floor coverings – Hand-knotted carpets – Sampling and selection of areas to test
  • EN 12751 Textiles - Sampling of fibres, yarns and fabrics for testing
  • Council Regulation (EC) 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein
You should also refer to your national legislation and national guidelines regarding sampling.



Equipment needed
Suggested sampling tool depending on the method used
  • General tools: knife, scissors, saw etc.
Containers to be used for the sampling
  • Plastic bags, different sizes, with or without pre-printed label (P00).
  • Plastic bottles, various sizes (P01, P03, P04).
  • Wrapping paper, paper or plastic box.
  • Paper bags or cardboard boxes (cartons) different sizes, with or without pre-printed label (R00, R01).
Sample containers must be clean and free from all substances which might contaminate the material being sampled (such as water, dirt, lint, washing compounds, loose fibres, naphtha and other solvents, soldering fluxes, acids, rust, and oil).

Safety precautions and risk assessment Please refer to your national legislation and guidelines on health and safety.
  • See SDS or ADR if available.
  • Be careful in sampling products containing glass fibres or mineral fibres, wear hand gloves and protect your eyes; avoid direct contact!
  • Pay attention to safety and warning signs.
  • You should be aware of and follow any health and safety instructions in the local risk assessment and/or safe working practices for the location where the sampling is to take place.
  • Where possible, before unloading/sampling commences, a preliminary visual inspection of the cargo should be made to look for signs of insect or vermin infestation and/or signs of fungus or mould. If necessary, additional preventive measures should be taken to avoid the accidental inhalation of dust or spores.
Personal protective equipment
  • Eye protection: safety goggles, if necessary
  • Hand protection: if necessary
  • Head protection: if necessary
Warning: Fresh or untreated skins and furskins may harbour pests or disease, in particular Anthrax spores. You should work in a well-ventilated space. The following additional personal protective equipment should be used:
  • Respiratory protection
  • Protective coverals
Additional care should be taken when removing personal protective equipment as it may have become contaminated.


Sampling plan
Type of consignmentSampling plan
Consignment for customs clearance One incremental sample is usually taken as representing the goods covered by the same customs declaration. Sampling procedures then depend on the type of consignment mentioned in this table below.

Bulk fibres Take incremental samples by hand (20 or more tufts of 0,25-0,5 g each) from randomly selected, different parts of the consignment.

Bales of fibres (<5 bales) Take two incremental samples by hand (one from the outside of the bale, one from the inside of the bale) from one or more bales using the appropriate tool (scissors or knife).

Bales of fibres (>5 bales) Take four incremental samples by hand (two from the outside of the bales, two from the inside of the bales) by random selection, from different bales of the consignment, using the appropriate tool (scissors or knife).

Packages of processed materials e.g. yarns (<4 packages) Discard the first 2 m and take 2 m from each package with the appropriate tool (scissors or knife), using minimal tension to prevent stretching. For the reserve sample, discard the next 2 m of the same package and then cut the other samples of yarn.

Packages of processed materials e.g. yarns (>4 packages) Randomly select different parts of the consignment, then discard the first 2 m and take 2 m from one or more packages, with the appropriate tool (scissors or knife), using minimal tension to prevent stretching. For the reserve sample, discard the next 2 m of the same package and then cut the other samples of yarn.

Rolls of fabric Discard the outside layer of the fabric roll and cut approx. 1 m2 (piece of 100 x 100 cm) with the appropriate tool (scissors or knife) from one or more rolls, from randomly selected, from different parts of the consignment.

Leather or furskin goods If it is not possible to take the whole piece or item, cut approx. a piece of 50 x 50 cm with the appropriate tool (scissors or knife) from different parts of the consignment by random selection.

In the case of expensive furs where the sampling may affect the value or usability of the fur, consult the laboratory. In certain cases, it may be permissible to take a much smaller sample (2 g), but only with the agreement of the laboratory.

Individual articles Depending on the quantity in the consignment, value, and the size of the article, the minimum number of pieces to be sampled is one. Where the articles are small (all dimensions up to 10 cm) ensure that the final sample consists of at least 3 pieces.


Handling of Samples
General comments
  • Taking samples: You must ensure that the goods being checked consist of a single consignment. If there are several consignments, they should be identified separately. An aggregate sample may be formed only from goods representing the same lot contained in the same consignment. Samples are selected by random method or systematically from a lot of the consignment. Make sure the area is clean from loose fibres.
    In some cases of goods made of leather or furskins, where sampling is not possible, photographic evidence taken by sampling officers, and documents, describing the goods, its details and function, may be a satisfactory alternative for sampling. If in doubt consult your laboratory.
  • Packing the samples. The final samples should be sealed in a packaging to avoid contamination and should be kept out of direct sunlight, in order to preserve the characteristic of the samples.
Sampling form
  • Fill in the sampling form. One copy should be attached to the samples and one copy should be kept for the record.
Transport
  • Make sure that the transport conditions guarantee the integrity and characteristics of the sample transported.
Storage
  • The samples should be kept at room temperature in a dry and well-ventilated place. They must be protected from exposure to conditions which may change their relevant properties such as sunlight.
  • Samples where the moisture content may affect the analysis must be packed in moisture-tight containers with an air-tight closure.

Textiles, leather and furskins (expand list)
HS Heading Description


Revisions
Version Date Changes
1.1 30.03.2019 First version
1.1.1 01.11.2019 Update - small text modification
1.2 15.07.2021 Update - total text revision