HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4903.00 – Printed matter; children's picture, drawing or colouring books
HS code 4903.00 is the 6-digit subheading for printed matter, children's picture, drawing or colouring books. It is used for children's storybooks (picture books), colouring books, activity books, sticker books and drawing books.
What HS 4903.00 covers
This HS code is specifically for children's picture books, drawing books, and colouring books, a vibrant and consistently growing segment of the global publishing market. These goods are traded extensively by children's book publishers, educational toy companies, and general book distributors. The international trade in these items is driven by global demand for early childhood education, entertainment, and developmental tools. Key considerations include age appropriateness, artistic quality, educational value, and safety standards (e.g., non-toxic inks). There's a strong emphasis on licensing popular characters and themes, leading to significant cross-border movement of these products. While digital apps exist, physical books remain highly popular for their tactile experience and screen-free engagement for young children. The sustainable sourcing of paper, in line with regulations like EUDR and EUTR, is an important ethical and commercial consideration for publishers and consumers alike.
- Covers
- Children's storybooks (picture books)
- Colouring books
- Activity books
- Sticker books
- Drawing books
- Pop-up books
- Board books
- Examples
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar", "Where the Wild Things Are", Disney colouring books, Usborne activity books, Peppa Pig sticker books, Dr. Seuss books
Codes often confused with 4903.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 490199 (other books) due to its specific focus on children's picture, drawing, or colouring books. Confusion might arise if a children's novel without significant illustrations is mistakenly classified here, but the emphasis is on visual content or interactive drawing/colouring.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 490300, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 490300 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 China $740M 61% of world exports
- 2 Germany $78M 6.4% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $48M 3.9% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $506M 29% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $206M 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $140M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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. 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.
Brazil NCM code for 4903.00
Brazil does not split HS 4903.00: its NCM code is 4903.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 49.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
This product is covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), requiring operators to exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.
Questions about HS 4903.00
What is HS code 490300?
HS code 490300 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Printed matter; children's picture, drawing or colouring books. This HS code is specifically for children's picture books, drawing books, and colouring books, a vibrant and consistently growing segment of the global publishing market. These goods are traded extensively by children's book publishers, educational toy companies, and general book distributors. The international trade in these items is driven by global demand for early childhood education, entertainment, and developmental tools. Key considerations include age appropriateness, artistic quality, educational value, and safety standards (e.g., non-toxic inks). There's a strong emphasis on licensing popular characters and themes, leading to significant cross-border movement of these products. While digital apps exist, physical books remain highly popular for their tactile experience and screen-free engagement for young children. The sustainable sourcing of paper, in line with regulations like EUDR and EUTR, is an important ethical and commercial consideration for publishers and consumers alike.
What products fall under HS code 490300?
Children's storybooks (picture books), colouring books, activity books, sticker books, drawing books, pop-up books, board books
What are common misclassifications for HS code 490300?
This code is distinct from 490199 (other books) due to its specific focus on children's picture, drawing, or colouring books. Confusion might arise if a children's novel without significant illustrations is mistakenly classified here, but the emphasis is on visual content or interactive drawing/colouring.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 490300?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 490300 in UN Comtrade data were China ($740M, 61% of world exports), Germany ($78M) and Hong Kong ($48M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 490300?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 490300 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($506M, 29% of world imports), Hong Kong ($206M) and the United Kingdom ($140M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 490300 structured?
HS code 490300 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (49) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 490300?
In Brazil, HS code 490300 is NCM 4903.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.