HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 97.01 – Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand; not drawings of heading no. 4906 and not hand-painted, hand-decorated manufactured articles; collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques
What HS 97.01 covers
Heading 9701 specifically covers 'Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand; not drawings of heading no. 4906 and not hand-painted, hand-decorated manufactured articles; collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques.' This critical heading in international trade is dedicated to original works of visual art, emphasizing their unique, hand-created nature. The scope is strictly limited to artworks produced by an artist's direct manual effort, excluding mass-produced prints, reproductions, or industrially manufactured articles that merely feature hand-painted decorations. It also explicitly excludes technical or architectural drawings of heading 4906. Key sub-categories include oil paintings, watercolor drawings, pastel works, collages (assemblages of various materials), and mosaics. This classification is immensely significant for trade compliance due to the cultural, historical, and artistic value placed on original art. Such works often benefit from specific tariff exemptions or reduced duties under various international agreements, reflecting their unique status. The valuation of these items can be complex, requiring expert appraisal. As part of Chapter 97, 'Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques,' it is distinct from general manufactured goods, underscoring its cultural heritage status and the special considerations it receives in global commerce.
- Covers
Original oil paintings on canvas, watercolor landscape drawings, pastel portraits, acrylic abstract paintings, mixed media collages on board, glass mosaic decorative plaques, ceramic wall mosaics, ink drawings on paper, charcoal figure drawings, tempera paintings, gouache paintings, encaustic paintings, pen and wash drawings, chalk drawings, digital paintings (if executed entirely by hand and printed on a single support, considered original), original fabric collages, stone mosaic murals, relief collages, contemporary art paintings, traditional landscape paintings, still life drawings, portrait pastels, hand-cut paper collages, art deco mosaics.
- Examples
A contemporary artist in Berlin, Germany, sells an original large-scale abstract oil painting to a gallery in New York, USA, via specialized art shipping services, often benefiting from zero tariffs under cultural exchange provisions. An antique dealer in Florence, Italy, exports a 17th-century religious fresco fragment (classified as a painting) to a private collector in Tokyo, Japan, navigating strict cultural heritage export laws and requiring detailed provenance documentation. Furthermore, a collective of mosaic artists in Mexico City ships custom-designed decorative ceramic mosaic plaques to luxury hotels and private residences across the Caribbean, utilizing regional trade agreements for smoother customs clearance and showcasing indigenous artistic traditions.
Subheadings under 97.01 6
Codes often confused with 97.01
Common mistake. Misclassification under 9701 is common due to the nuances of 'original' and 'hand-executed.' A frequent error is classifying mass-produced decorative prints or posters under 9701; these typically fall under 4911 (Other printed matter). Hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles, such as ceramic vases with painted designs, are also often incorrectly classified here; they belong to their respective chapters (e.g., 6913 for ceramic statuettes) as decorative utilitarian items, not original artworks. Technical drawings, plans, or blueprints are specifically excluded and belong to 4906. The key is that 9701 is reserved for unique, artistic creations executed entirely by hand, where the primary value is in the original artistic expression, not in the functional article itself or its reproductive nature.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 9701, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 9701 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% 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 United States $7.4B 33% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $4.5B 20% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $2.5B 11% of world exports
World total: $22.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $7.4B 33% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $4.5B 20% of world imports
- 3 Switzerland $1.7B 7.4% of world imports
World total: $22.7B 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.
Questions about HS 97.01
What is HS code 9701?
HS code 9701 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand; not drawings of heading no. 4906 and not hand-painted, hand-decorated manufactured articles; collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques. Heading 9701 specifically covers 'Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand; not drawings of heading no. 4906 and not hand-painted, hand-decorated manufactured articles; collages, mosaics and similar decorative plaques.' This critical heading in international trade is dedicated to original works of visual art, emphasizing their unique, hand-created nature. The scope is strictly limited to artworks produced by an artist's direct manual effort, excluding mass-produced prints, reproductions, or industrially manufactured articles that merely feature hand-painted decorations. It also explicitly excludes technical or architectural drawings of heading 4906. Key sub-categories include oil paintings, watercolor drawings, pastel works, collages (assemblages of various materials), and mosaics. This classification is immensely significant for trade compliance due to the cultural, historical, and artistic value placed on original art. Such works often benefit from specific tariff exemptions or reduced duties under various international agreements, reflecting their unique status. The valuation of these items can be complex, requiring expert appraisal. As part of Chapter 97, 'Works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques,' it is distinct from general manufactured goods, underscoring its cultural heritage status and the special considerations it receives in global commerce.
What products fall under HS code 9701?
Original oil paintings on canvas, watercolor landscape drawings, pastel portraits, acrylic abstract paintings, mixed media collages on board, glass mosaic decorative plaques, ceramic wall mosaics, ink drawings on paper, charcoal figure drawings, tempera paintings, gouache paintings, encaustic paintings, pen and wash drawings, chalk drawings, digital paintings (if executed entirely by hand and printed on a single support, considered original), original fabric collages, stone mosaic murals, relief collages, contemporary art paintings, traditional landscape paintings, still life drawings, portrait pastels, hand-cut paper collages, art deco mosaics.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 9701?
Misclassification under 9701 is common due to the nuances of 'original' and 'hand-executed.' A frequent error is classifying mass-produced decorative prints or posters under 9701; these typically fall under 4911 (Other printed matter). Hand-painted or hand-decorated manufactured articles, such as ceramic vases with painted designs, are also often incorrectly classified here; they belong to their respective chapters (e.g., 6913 for ceramic statuettes) as decorative utilitarian items, not original artworks. Technical drawings, plans, or blueprints are specifically excluded and belong to 4906. The key is that 9701 is reserved for unique, artistic creations executed entirely by hand, where the primary value is in the original artistic expression, not in the functional article itself or its reproductive nature.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 9701?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 9701 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.4B, 33% of world exports), Hong Kong ($4.5B) and Switzerland ($2.5B). World exports came to about $22.5B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 9701?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 9701 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.4B, 33% of world imports), Hong Kong ($4.5B) and Switzerland ($1.7B). World imports came to about $22.7B, 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 9701 structured?
HS code 9701 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 97 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (97) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.