9606 - Buttons, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners and press-studs, button molds and other parts of these articles; button blanks:

HTS Code 9606 encompasses a range of fastening devices and their components primarily used in apparel and accessories. This category specifically includes buttons of all types, press-fasteners, snap-fasteners, and press-studs, along with their essential parts, such as molds and blanks. These items are designed to join or secure two pieces of fabric or material, often serving both a functional and decorative purpose.

Distinguishing this category from its siblings, such as those covering live animals or other miscellaneous manufactured articles, is straightforward. While Chapter 96 broadly addresses diverse manufactured items, 9606 is precisely focused on these specific types of fasteners and their constituent parts. The materials used for these fasteners can vary widely, including plastic, metal, shell, wood, or fabric, but their classification hinges on their function as a fastening mechanism rather than the material itself.

The subcategories within 9606 further refine this classification. Subheading 9606.10 specifically isolates press-fasteners, snap-fasteners, and press-studs, differentiating them from traditional buttons. The remaining subdivisions, encompassing buttons, button molds, other button parts, and button blanks, collectively address the broad spectrum of button-related items, allowing for granular classification based on whether the item is a finished button, a component for manufacturing buttons, or the raw material for button production.