HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 4904.00 – Music; printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated

HS code 4904.00 is the 6-digit subheading for music, printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated. It is used for sheet music for piano, guitar tablature books, orchestral scores, choral arrangements and songbooks with lyrics and chords.

What HS 4904.00 covers

This HS code covers printed or manuscript music, whether bound or illustrated, encompassing everything from sheet music for individual instruments to full orchestral scores and songbooks. This category is essential for musicians, educators, and performing arts organizations worldwide. Major importers and exporters include specialized music publishers, music stores, educational institutions, and distributors catering to orchestras, bands, choirs, and individual artists. The trade in these goods is driven by musical education, performance needs, and the preservation of musical heritage. Key considerations include copyright, arrangement rights, and the quality of printing for legibility and durability. While digital sheet music is increasingly common, physical copies remain vital for many musicians who prefer tangible scores for practice and performance, or for archival purposes. Compliance with regulations like EUDR is relevant for the paper used in the production of these musical scores.

Covers
  • Sheet music for piano
  • Guitar tablature books
  • Orchestral scores
  • Choral arrangements
  • Songbooks with lyrics and chords
  • Music theory textbooks (with scores)
  • Opera librettos (with music)
Examples
  • Hal Leonard sheet music
  • Alfred Music publications
  • Henle Urtext editions
  • Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics
  • Faber Music scores
  • Real Book jazz fake books

Codes often confused with 4904.00

Common mistake. This code is specific to printed or manuscript music. It should not be confused with 490199 (other books) even if a book contains musical analysis, unless it primarily consists of musical notation. Similarly, it's distinct from 8523 (recorded media) which covers music on CDs or vinyl.

4901.99Printed matter; books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter n.e.c. in item no. 4901.10 or 4901.9185.23Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, smart cards and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, excluding products of Chapter 37

Top exporters and importers of HS code 490400, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 490400 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% 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. 1 Netherlands $28M
  2. 2 Germany $19M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $13M

World total: $83M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $17M
  2. 2 France $8.8M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $8.8M

World total: $78M 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 4904.00

Brazil does not split HS 4904.00: its NCM code is 4904.00.00.

  1. 4904.00.00 Printed or manuscript musicMúsica manuscrita ou impressa, ilustrada ou não, mesmo encadernada.

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 49.04 →

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.

Questions about HS 4904.00

What is HS code 490400?

HS code 490400 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Music; printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated. This HS code covers printed or manuscript music, whether bound or illustrated, encompassing everything from sheet music for individual instruments to full orchestral scores and songbooks. This category is essential for musicians, educators, and performing arts organizations worldwide. Major importers and exporters include specialized music publishers, music stores, educational institutions, and distributors catering to orchestras, bands, choirs, and individual artists. The trade in these goods is driven by musical education, performance needs, and the preservation of musical heritage. Key considerations include copyright, arrangement rights, and the quality of printing for legibility and durability. While digital sheet music is increasingly common, physical copies remain vital for many musicians who prefer tangible scores for practice and performance, or for archival purposes. Compliance with regulations like EUDR is relevant for the paper used in the production of these musical scores.

What products fall under HS code 490400?

Sheet music for piano, guitar tablature books, orchestral scores, choral arrangements, songbooks with lyrics and chords, music theory textbooks (with scores), opera librettos (with music)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 490400?

This code is specific to printed or manuscript music. It should not be confused with 490199 (other books) even if a book contains musical analysis, unless it primarily consists of musical notation. Similarly, it's distinct from 8523 (recorded media) which covers music on CDs or vinyl.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 490400?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 490400 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($28M, 34% of world exports), Germany ($19M) and the United Kingdom ($13M). World exports came to about $83M, 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 490400?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 490400 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($17M, 21% of world imports), France ($8.8M) and the United Kingdom ($8.8M). World imports came to about $78M, 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 490400 structured?

HS code 490400 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (49) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) 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 490400?

In Brazil, HS code 490400 is NCM 4904.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.