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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS

HS CHAPTER 49

Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry

CHAPTER

49

Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry

Common items in this chapter

  • Printed books, brochures, leaflets (4901)
  • Newspapers, journals, periodicals (4902)
  • Children's picture, drawing, colouring books (4903)
  • Maps and hydrographic charts (4905)
  • Manuscripts (4906)

Headings in this chapter (11)

Official HS 2022 four-digit headings. Each heading page lists its 6-digit subheadings with the official nomenclature texts.

Classification notes

Chapter 49 typically duty-free under MFN treatment globally (UNESCO Florence Agreement on importation of educational materials). Religious / political materials may be subject to content review at destination.

Frequent misclassification

Postcards / greeting cards (4909) vs. printed pictures (4911); academic journals (4902) vs. textbooks (4901).

Binding tariff ruling database

If you need certainty on classification, request a binding tariff ruling from your destination country's customs authority. The link below leads to the relevant ruling database.

Binding tariff ruling database
RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES46UNIQUE SOURCES645LATEST VERIFICATION2026-07-26MethodologyChangelog