HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 49.07 – Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; cheque forms; banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title
What HS 49.07 covers
HS Code 4907 is a highly specialized and sensitive classification covering "Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; cheque forms; banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title." This heading encompasses items that represent monetary value or legal claims, emphasizing their 'unused' status and 'recognised face value' for stamps. It includes official financial instruments and documents that are not yet in circulation or have not been utilized. The scope is very precise: it covers new or current issue stamps (excluding used stamps or collector's stamps without current face value, which fall under 9704), blank cheque forms, all forms of banknotes (currency), and various types of securities like stock, share, or bond certificates. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to the inherent monetary value and the stringent regulatory controls associated with financial instruments. For importers, exporters, and customs authorities, accurate classification under 4907 is paramount for security, anti-money laundering (AML) efforts, preventing counterfeiting, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and national currency laws. Historically, these physical instruments were the bedrock of financial systems and continue to be vital for cash economies and certain investment structures. This heading is a unique and highly regulated segment within Chapter 49, which broadly covers "Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry," underscoring its distinct role in the global financial and postal landscape.
- Covers
- Sheets of unused commemorative postage stamps (current issue)
- Rolls of unused revenue stamps for tobacco products
- Blank checkbooks for a commercial bank
- Uncirculated 100-dollar banknotes
- Newly issued government bond certificates
- Stock certificates for a publicly traded company
- Stamp-impressed official receipt forms
- Unused gift vouchers with specific monetary value
- Unused lottery tickets with face value
- Traveler's cheques (unused)
- Bank drafts (unused)
- Dividend warrants (unused)
- Share warrants (unused)
- Treasury bills (unused)
- Promissory notes (unused)
- Postal orders (unused)
- Foreign currency notes (uncirculated)
- Tax stamps (unused)
- Insurance policy forms (stamp-impressed)
- Official permit forms (stamp-impressed)
- Vending machine tokens with face value (printed)
- Bill of exchange forms (unused)
- Letter of credit forms (unused)
- Certificate of deposit forms (unused)
- Security certificates for investment funds.
- Examples
A high-security printing company in Switzerland exports several pallets of newly printed, uncirculated banknotes to a central bank in a developing African nation, requiring specialized armored transport and stringent customs protocols. Concurrently, the national postal service of Canada ships large quantities of unused commemorative postage stamps of current issue to various philatelic dealers and postal agencies across the United States and Europe, requiring detailed declarations of face value and quantity. In another instance, a German financial institution distributes blank cheque forms to its branches in other European Union countries via secure logistics channels, ensuring compliance with banking regulations and cross-border financial instrument guidelines.
Subheadings under 49.07 1
Codes often confused with 49.07
Common mistake. A critical misclassification involves distinguishing unused stamps of current issue (4907) from collector's stamps (9704). Used stamps, or unused stamps not of 'current or new issue' or lacking a 'recognized face value' in the country of issue, are classified under 9704 (as philatelic collections). The 'face value' and 'current issue' criteria are paramount for 4907. Another common error is confusing these items with general printed matter (HS 4911). Promotional vouchers, gift cards without a specific monetary face value, or generic printed forms without financial significance would fall under 4911. The key for 4907 is the inherent monetary value or legal claim represented by the item itself. Lastly, while decalcomanias (HS 4908) are 'transfers,' they are completely distinct from the financial instruments in 4907.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 4907, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 4907 in UN Comtrade data was Malta, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% 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 Malta $348M 17% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $290M 14% of world exports
- 3 Germany $182M 9.1% of world exports
World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $994M 28% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $537M 15% of world imports
- 3 Angola $268M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $3.5B 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.
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 49.07
What is HS code 4907?
HS code 4907 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; cheque forms; banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title. HS Code 4907 is a highly specialized and sensitive classification covering "Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; cheque forms; banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title." This heading encompasses items that represent monetary value or legal claims, emphasizing their 'unused' status and 'recognised face value' for stamps. It includes official financial instruments and documents that are not yet in circulation or have not been utilized. The scope is very precise: it covers new or current issue stamps (excluding used stamps or collector's stamps without current face value, which fall under 9704), blank cheque forms, all forms of banknotes (currency), and various types of securities like stock, share, or bond certificates. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to the inherent monetary value and the stringent regulatory controls associated with financial instruments. For importers, exporters, and customs authorities, accurate classification under 4907 is paramount for security, anti-money laundering (AML) efforts, preventing counterfeiting, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and national currency laws. Historically, these physical instruments were the bedrock of financial systems and continue to be vital for cash economies and certain investment structures. This heading is a unique and highly regulated segment within Chapter 49, which broadly covers "Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry," underscoring its distinct role in the global financial and postal landscape.
What products fall under HS code 4907?
Sheets of unused commemorative postage stamps (current issue), Rolls of unused revenue stamps for tobacco products, Blank checkbooks for a commercial bank, Uncirculated 100-dollar banknotes, Newly issued government bond certificates, Stock certificates for a publicly traded company, Stamp-impressed official receipt forms, Unused gift vouchers with specific monetary value, Unused lottery tickets with face value, Traveler's cheques (unused), Bank drafts (unused), Dividend warrants (unused), Share warrants (unused), Treasury bills (unused), Promissory notes (unused), Postal orders (unused), Foreign currency notes (uncirculated), Tax stamps (unused), Insurance policy forms (stamp-impressed), Official permit forms (stamp-impressed), Vending machine tokens with face value (printed), Bill of exchange forms (unused), Letter of credit forms (unused), Certificate of deposit forms (unused), Security certificates for investment funds.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 4907?
A critical misclassification involves distinguishing unused stamps of current issue (4907) from collector's stamps (9704). Used stamps, or unused stamps not of 'current or new issue' or lacking a 'recognized face value' in the country of issue, are classified under 9704 (as philatelic collections). The 'face value' and 'current issue' criteria are paramount for 4907. Another common error is confusing these items with general printed matter (HS 4911). Promotional vouchers, gift cards without a specific monetary face value, or generic printed forms without financial significance would fall under 4911. The key for 4907 is the inherent monetary value or legal claim represented by the item itself. Lastly, while decalcomanias (HS 4908) are 'transfers,' they are completely distinct from the financial instruments in 4907.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 4907?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 4907 in UN Comtrade data were Malta ($348M, 17% of world exports), Hong Kong ($290M) and Germany ($182M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 4907?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 4907 in UN Comtrade data were China ($994M, 28% of world imports), Hong Kong ($537M) and Angola ($268M). World imports came to about $3.5B, 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 4907 structured?
HS code 4907 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 49 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (49) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (07) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.