HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9701.21 – Paintings, drawings and pastels; executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age exceeding 100 years
HS code 9701.21 is the 6-digit subheading for paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age exceeding 100 years. It is used for oil paintings from the 19th century, charcoal sketches from the Renaissance, pastel portraits from the Victorian era, watercolor landscapes from the early 20th century and ink drawings by old masters.
What HS 9701.21 covers
This code covers antique, hand-executed artworks such as paintings, drawings, and pastels that are over a century old, excluding certain technical drawings. In international trade, these are high-value cultural assets, often traded by prestigious art galleries, international auction houses, private collectors, and museums. The trade is highly specialized, involving significant considerations for provenance, authenticity, conservation status, and adherence to cultural heritage laws. Importers are typically wealthy individuals, institutions, or investors seeking to acquire historical art for collection, display, or as an investment. Exporters are often estates, private sellers, or galleries divesting assets. The market is global, driven by artistic merit, historical significance, and investment potential, with strict regulations on the export and import of cultural property to prevent illicit trade and preserve heritage.
- Covers
- Oil paintings from the 19th century
- Charcoal sketches from the Renaissance
- Pastel portraits from the Victorian era
- Watercolor landscapes from the early 20th century
- Ink drawings by old masters
- Examples
- A 19th-century Impressionist oil painting
- a Baroque era charcoal drawing
- a Victorian pastel portrait
- an early 20th-century Cubist drawing
- a Dutch Golden Age landscape painting
Codes often confused with 9701.21
Common mistake. Often confused with reproductions (4911) or modern artworks (970191), but 970121 is strictly for original, hand-executed pieces over 100 years old.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 970121, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 970121 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 39% 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 $1.8B 29% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $1.7B 27% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $1.2B 19% of world exports
World total: $6.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.2B 39% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $1.6B 29% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $293M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $5.6B 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 9701.21
Brazil does not split HS 9701.21: its NCM code is 9701.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 97.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9701.21
What is HS code 970121?
HS code 970121 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Paintings, drawings and pastels; executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age exceeding 100 years. This code covers antique, hand-executed artworks such as paintings, drawings, and pastels that are over a century old, excluding certain technical drawings. In international trade, these are high-value cultural assets, often traded by prestigious art galleries, international auction houses, private collectors, and museums. The trade is highly specialized, involving significant considerations for provenance, authenticity, conservation status, and adherence to cultural heritage laws. Importers are typically wealthy individuals, institutions, or investors seeking to acquire historical art for collection, display, or as an investment. Exporters are often estates, private sellers, or galleries divesting assets. The market is global, driven by artistic merit, historical significance, and investment potential, with strict regulations on the export and import of cultural property to prevent illicit trade and preserve heritage.
What products fall under HS code 970121?
Oil paintings from the 19th century, charcoal sketches from the Renaissance, pastel portraits from the Victorian era, watercolor landscapes from the early 20th century, ink drawings by old masters
What are common misclassifications for HS code 970121?
Often confused with reproductions (4911) or modern artworks (970191), but 970121 is strictly for original, hand-executed pieces over 100 years old.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 970121?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 970121 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.8B, 29% of world exports), Hong Kong ($1.7B) and Switzerland ($1.2B). World exports came to about $6.2B, 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 970121?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 970121 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.2B, 39% of world imports), Hong Kong ($1.6B) and the United Kingdom ($293M). World imports came to about $5.6B, 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 970121 structured?
HS code 970121 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (97) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 970121?
In Brazil, HS code 970121 is NCM 9701.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.