Market evolution: Hair accessories (CN 9615) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report examines the evolution of EU extra-EU trade in hair accessories under CN 9615, a heading that covers combs, hair-slides, hairpins, curling pins, curling grips, hair-curlers and related parts — excluding electro-thermic appliances. The period 2015–2025 was marked by a structural widening of the EU's trade deficit, rising import dependence, and a notable reconfiguration of trade partners, with profound implications for the EU's position in this product category. Three sub-headings break down the product: 961511 (combs and hair-slides of hard rubber or plastics), 961519 (combs and hair-slides of other materials), and 961590 (hairpins, curling pins, curling grips, hair-curlers and parts).

1. A Widening Trade Deficit Driven by Surging Imports

1.1 Import growth far outpaces export growth

Over the 2015–2025 period, EU imports of CN 9615 products grew from €154.9 million to €282.3 million (+82.2%), while exports rose from €50.2 million to €82.5 million (+64.2%). The trade balance consequently deteriorated from −€104.7 million to −€199.8 million, a widening of nearly 91%.

Source: General Overview

1.2 Import volumes surged while export volumes stagnated

A key feature of this market is the asymmetric volume dynamic. EU import volumes rose by over 70%, from 12,768 tonnes to 21,767 tonnes, reflecting growing demand for low-cost hair accessories produced abroad. By contrast, EU export volumes remained essentially flat at approximately 1,821 tonnes. This means that all the growth in EU export value — a 64% increase — came entirely from higher unit prices rather than greater physical volumes, suggesting a shift toward higher-value-added products in the EU's export basket.

1.3 The EU's net import reliance has climbed steadily

The net import reliance indicator rose from 59.8% in 2015 to 76.3% in 2025, peaking at 83.2% along the way. This confirms that the EU has become substantially more dependent on external suppliers for hair accessories, with domestic production covering a diminishing share of total consumption.

2. China's Growing Dominance and the Reconfiguration of Trade Partners

2.1 China now accounts for the vast majority of EU imports

Among import partners, China's share surged dramatically. Chinese imports into the EU rose from €113.2 million in 2015 to €256.0 million in 2025, an increase of 126.2%. In 2025, China represented roughly 90.6% of total EU imports by value — up from approximately 73% in 2015.

Source: Top partners — imports

2.2 Brexit reshaped EU–UK hair accessory flows in both directions

The United Kingdom's exit from the EU single market had a striking and paradoxical effect. On the import side, UK-origin imports into the EU collapsed from €24.1 million (2015) to €2.1 million (2025), a decline of 91.2%. The UK had been the EU's second-largest import source in 2015; by 2025 it had become marginal. On the export side, however, the UK became the EU's single largest extra-EU export destination, rising from €6.3 million to €18.7 million (+195.5%). This divergence likely reflects both the new customs formalities that made re-importing UK-origin goods more cumbersome, and the redirection of UK demand toward EU suppliers to replace previously frictionless intra-EU flows that now appear in extra-EU statistics.

Source: Top partners — exports

2.3 Import concentration has risen sharply, raising supply-chain risk

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for imports by value increased from 5,599 to 8,611 (+53.8%), a level that indicates a highly concentrated import structure. This is almost entirely explained by China's growing share. For exports, the HHI rose more modestly from 720 to 936 (+30.0%), and remains well below the import side, indicating a more diversified export base. The combination of rising import concentration and rising net import reliance suggests a growing vulnerability to supply disruptions from a single origin.

2.4 Russia's decline reflects geopolitical realignment

EU exports to the Russian Federation fell from €4.4 million to €2.7 million (−38.5%), with a peak of €7.2 million occurring before the downturn. This decline, accelerating after 2022, aligns with the imposition of EU sanctions and broader trade restrictions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Russian market was partially offset by growth in alternative destinations such as the United Arab Emirates (+112.6%), Serbia (+213.6%), and Norway (+122.2%).

3. EU Production Rises and Exports Shift Upmarket

3.1 EU domestic production grew significantly in value

Despite the growing trade deficit, EU production of CN 9615 goods expanded in both volume and value. Production quantity rose from 944,485 kg to 1,407,341 kg (+49.0%), while production value surged from €13.0 million to €39.8 million (+205.7%). The much faster growth in value than in volume indicates a substantial increase in unit production values, consistent with EU manufacturers concentrating on higher-end, higher-margin hair accessories.

3.2 EU exports are increasingly high-value, particularly in non-plastic combs

The product breakdown reveals that the EU's export specialisation has shifted toward premium segments. Exports of 961519 (combs and hair-slides of materials other than hard rubber or plastics) saw their value rise from €16.3 million to €43.0 million (+164.5%), while volumes grew only from 508 tonnes to 737 tonnes. The unit export price for this subheading climbed from €31,866/t to €57,972/t (+81.9%), indicating a strong move toward luxury and artisanal products.

Source: Product segment breakdown

3.3 Imports are dominated by plastic combs, reinforcing the low-cost/high-volume pattern

On the import side, 961511 (plastic combs and hair-slides) was by far the largest category. Its volume more than doubled from 5,294 tonnes to 10,848 tonnes, and its value rose from €56.4 million to €132.8 million. This subheading alone accounts for nearly half of all EU imports by value and over half by volume, with a relatively low unit price of around €12,239/t in 2025. The other two subheadings (961519 and 961590) also grew but at more moderate rates, each reaching approximately €67–82 million in import value by 2025.

3.4 Italy and the Netherlands emerged as leading EU trade hubs

Among EU Member States, Italy became the largest exporter, with export value rising from €7.7 million to €22.5 million (+191.9%), consistent with Italy's well-known strength in fashion accessories and personal goods. The Netherlands saw the most dramatic increase in exports, surging from €1.4 million to €12.6 million (+806.1%), likely reflecting its role as a major logistics and re-export hub. On the import side, the Netherlands also grew strongly (€19.8M → €51.5M, +159.5%), overtaking France to become the EU's second-largest import gateway after Germany (€36.9M → €63.3M, +71.5%).

3.5 Denmark and Poland display the strongest revealed comparative advantage

According to specialisation indicators for 2025, Denmark had the highest RSCA score (0.535), followed by Greece (0.247) and Poland (0.237). Denmark's strong position is notable given its small overall trade share — it occupies a niche with relatively specialised production. Poland, by contrast, combines a meaningful RSCA with a substantial production share (10.8% of EU hair accessory production), making it a more significant player in absolute terms.

Conclusion

The EU hair accessories market (CN 9615) underwent a fundamental structural transformation between 2015 and 2025. The most defining trend is the deepening dependence on China, which now supplies over 90% of EU imports by value, pushing the net import reliance rate above 76% and import concentration (HHI) to levels indicating significant supply-chain risk. This import growth has been volume-driven — especially in plastic combs (961511) — reflecting sustained consumer demand for affordable, mass-produced accessories.

At the same time, the EU has maintained and strengthened its position in higher-value segments. Export volumes remained flat while export values grew by 64%, driven by rising unit prices — particularly in non-plastic combs and artisanal hair accessories. EU production value tripled, pointing to a domestic industry that is increasingly oriented toward premium products. Italy, France, and Germany remain the core EU producers and exporters, while the Netherlands has emerged as a critical logistics hub.

Brexit and geopolitical shocks have also left their mark. The UK's departure from the single market collapsed its role as an import source for the EU while simultaneously making it the EU's largest extra-EU export destination. Meanwhile, Russia's decline as an export market has been partly compensated by growth in the UAE, Norway, Serbia, and other destinations. Overall, the EU's hair accessory trade has become more polarised: a mass-market import base dominated by China alongside an increasingly specialised, high-value export profile.