HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9701.91 – Paintings, drawings and pastels; executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age not exceeding 100 years
HS code 9701.91 is the 6-digit subheading for paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age not exceeding 100 years. It is used for oil paintings, acrylic paintings, watercolor paintings, charcoal drawings and pastel drawings.
What HS 9701.91 covers
This code covers original paintings, drawings, and pastels that are executed entirely by hand and are less than 100 years old. This category represents the contemporary and modern art market, encompassing works by living artists and those from the recent past. International trade is vibrant, involving art galleries, auction houses, private collectors, and art fairs across the globe. Importers and exporters are typically art dealers, collectors, and institutions. Key considerations include the artist's reputation, provenance, authenticity, condition, and market trends, which can fluctuate significantly. Valuation can range from modest to extremely high, often requiring expert appraisal and specialized handling due to the unique and fragile nature of these items. The market is dynamic, influenced by critical acclaim, major exhibitions, and the global art economy. This trade often involves significant logistical challenges related to insurance, customs valuation, and secure, climate-controlled transportation.
- Covers
- Oil paintings
- Acrylic paintings
- Watercolor paintings
- Charcoal drawings
- Pastel drawings
- Ink drawings
- Mixed media artworks (predominantly painting/drawing)
- Contemporary portraits
- Examples
- Works by contemporary artists (e.g., Gerhard Richter, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons)
- 20th-century masterpieces (e.g., Picasso, Warhol, Frida Kahlo)
- modern landscape paintings
- abstract expressionist works
Codes often confused with 9701.91
Common mistake. Can be confused with reproductions or prints (4911) if not an original hand-executed work, or with older artworks (970121 for paintings over 100 years) if the age is misidentified, or with other forms of art (970192 for mosaics).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 970191, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 970191 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 32% 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 $5.4B 36% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $2.8B 19% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $1.4B 9.5% of world exports
World total: $15.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $5.1B 32% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $2.9B 18% of world imports
- 3 Switzerland $1.4B 8.6% of world imports
World total: $16.1B 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 9701.91
Brazil does not split HS 9701.91: its NCM code is 9701.91.00.
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 9701.91
What is HS code 970191?
HS code 970191 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 not exceeding 100 years. This code covers original paintings, drawings, and pastels that are executed entirely by hand and are less than 100 years old. This category represents the contemporary and modern art market, encompassing works by living artists and those from the recent past. International trade is vibrant, involving art galleries, auction houses, private collectors, and art fairs across the globe. Importers and exporters are typically art dealers, collectors, and institutions. Key considerations include the artist's reputation, provenance, authenticity, condition, and market trends, which can fluctuate significantly. Valuation can range from modest to extremely high, often requiring expert appraisal and specialized handling due to the unique and fragile nature of these items. The market is dynamic, influenced by critical acclaim, major exhibitions, and the global art economy. This trade often involves significant logistical challenges related to insurance, customs valuation, and secure, climate-controlled transportation.
What products fall under HS code 970191?
Oil paintings, acrylic paintings, watercolor paintings, charcoal drawings, pastel drawings, ink drawings, mixed media artworks (predominantly painting/drawing), contemporary portraits
What are common misclassifications for HS code 970191?
Can be confused with reproductions or prints (4911) if not an original hand-executed work, or with older artworks (970121 for paintings over 100 years) if the age is misidentified, or with other forms of art (970192 for mosaics).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 970191?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 970191 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.4B, 36% of world exports), Hong Kong ($2.8B) and the United Kingdom ($1.4B). World exports came to about $15.0B, 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 970191?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 970191 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.1B, 32% of world imports), Hong Kong ($2.9B) and Switzerland ($1.4B). World imports came to about $16.1B, 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 970191 structured?
HS code 970191 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 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 970191?
In Brazil, HS code 970191 is NCM 9701.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.