HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 37.01 – Photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs
What HS 37.01 covers
Heading 3701 encompasses 'Photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs.' This classification is crucial for understanding the trade of unexposed photographic materials in a flat format, which are designed to capture images upon exposure to light. The scope specifically excludes materials made of paper, paperboard, or textiles, which fall under heading 3703. Instead, 3701 covers materials like glass plates, various types of sheet film (e.g., for large format cameras, medical X-rays), and instant print film sold in flat packs or sheets. Key sub-categories include traditional black and white or color sheet film, specialized scientific or industrial plates, and instant photo film sheets for cameras like Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax. This classification matters significantly for trade compliance as duties, taxes, and import/export regulations can vary based on the specific type and use of these sensitised materials. For instance, medical X-ray film might be subject to different regulations than artistic large format film. Historically, this heading represents the foundational materials of photography before the widespread adoption of roll film and digital cameras, still holding relevance in niche artistic, scientific, and industrial applications. It sits within Chapter 37, which broadly covers photographic or cinematographic goods, distinguishing flat, unexposed, non-paper-based mediums from other forms of photographic media.
- Covers
- Large format color sheet film
- Black and white sheet film
- X-ray film in flat sheets
- Photographic glass plates
- Instant print film sheets for cameras
- Specialized scientific photographic plates
- Dental X-ray film in flat packets
- Holographic plates
- UV sensitive photographic plates
- Infrared sensitised sheet film
- Astronomical photographic plates
- Fine art photography sheet film
- Graphic arts sheet film
- Aerial photography sheet film
- Instant print film cartridges (flat-pack type)
- Radiographic film sheets
- Security X-ray film
- Industrial non-destructive testing film
- High-resolution micrographic plates
- Electron microscopy film sheets.
- Examples
A specialized art photography studio in the United States regularly imports large format black and white sheet film from a German manufacturer, shipped via air cargo across the Atlantic. A medical supply company in South Korea imports flat-pack dental X-ray film from a Japanese factory to distribute to local dental clinics. An electronics retailer in Brazil imports instant print film sheets for popular instant cameras, sourcing them from a major manufacturer in China, typically transported by ocean freight across the Pacific. A research institution in the UK might receive a shipment of specialized holographic plates from a supplier in the Netherlands for optical experiments. Furthermore, a hospital in Canada could import industrial X-ray film in flat sheets from the USA for its diagnostic imaging department.
Subheadings under 37.01 5
Codes often confused with 37.01
Common mistake. Common misclassifications for Heading 3701 often arise from confusing the format or material. Traders might mistakenly classify 'Photographic film in rolls' (3702) under 3701; the key distinction is 'flat' versus 'rolls'. Another frequent error is classifying 'Photographic paper, paperboard and textiles, sensitised, unexposed' (3703) here, neglecting that 3701 explicitly excludes these materials. Lastly, general 'Chemical products for photographic uses' (3824) or even 'Plates, film, paper, paperboard and other flat supports, sensitised, unexposed' for offset printing (3702, if in rolls, or 3701 for plates, but for *printing* rather than *photography*) can be confused. The critical factor for 3701 is 'sensitised, unexposed' for *photographic* purposes and in a *flat* format, *not* made of paper, paperboard, or textiles.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 3701, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 3701 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 14% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $1.3B 28% of world exports
- 2 China $975M 21% of world exports
- 3 Germany $595M 13% of world exports
World total: $4.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $671M 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $669M 14% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$294M 6.1% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $4.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Questions about HS 37.01
What is HS code 3701?
HS code 3701 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs. Heading 3701 encompasses 'Photographic plates and film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, of any material other than paper, paperboard or textiles; instant print film in the flat, sensitised, unexposed, whether or not in packs.' This classification is crucial for understanding the trade of unexposed photographic materials in a flat format, which are designed to capture images upon exposure to light. The scope specifically excludes materials made of paper, paperboard, or textiles, which fall under heading 3703. Instead, 3701 covers materials like glass plates, various types of sheet film (e.g., for large format cameras, medical X-rays), and instant print film sold in flat packs or sheets. Key sub-categories include traditional black and white or color sheet film, specialized scientific or industrial plates, and instant photo film sheets for cameras like Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax. This classification matters significantly for trade compliance as duties, taxes, and import/export regulations can vary based on the specific type and use of these sensitised materials. For instance, medical X-ray film might be subject to different regulations than artistic large format film. Historically, this heading represents the foundational materials of photography before the widespread adoption of roll film and digital cameras, still holding relevance in niche artistic, scientific, and industrial applications. It sits within Chapter 37, which broadly covers photographic or cinematographic goods, distinguishing flat, unexposed, non-paper-based mediums from other forms of photographic media.
What products fall under HS code 3701?
Large format color sheet film, black and white sheet film, X-ray film in flat sheets, photographic glass plates, instant print film sheets for cameras, specialized scientific photographic plates, dental X-ray film in flat packets, holographic plates, UV sensitive photographic plates, infrared sensitised sheet film, astronomical photographic plates, fine art photography sheet film, graphic arts sheet film, aerial photography sheet film, instant print film cartridges (flat-pack type), radiographic film sheets, security X-ray film, industrial non-destructive testing film, high-resolution micrographic plates, electron microscopy film sheets.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 3701?
Common misclassifications for Heading 3701 often arise from confusing the format or material. Traders might mistakenly classify 'Photographic film in rolls' (3702) under 3701; the key distinction is 'flat' versus 'rolls'. Another frequent error is classifying 'Photographic paper, paperboard and textiles, sensitised, unexposed' (3703) here, neglecting that 3701 explicitly excludes these materials. Lastly, general 'Chemical products for photographic uses' (3824) or even 'Plates, film, paper, paperboard and other flat supports, sensitised, unexposed' for offset printing (3702, if in rolls, or 3701 for plates, but for *printing* rather than *photography*) can be confused. The critical factor for 3701 is 'sensitised, unexposed' for *photographic* purposes and in a *flat* format, *not* made of paper, paperboard, or textiles.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 3701?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 3701 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($1.3B, 28% of world exports), China ($975M) and Germany ($595M). World exports came to about $4.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 3701?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 3701 in UN Comtrade data were China ($671M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($669M) and Taiwan (about $294M). World imports came to about $4.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 3701 structured?
HS code 3701 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 37 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (37) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.