HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 97.06 – Antiques; of an age exceeding one hundred years
What HS 97.06 covers
Heading 9706 is a broad and straightforward classification for 'Antiques; of an age exceeding one hundred years.' This heading serves as a residual category within Chapter 97, encompassing any item that is over a century old, provided it does not fall more specifically under 9704 (stamps) or 9705 (specific collectors' pieces based on interest). The defining characteristic here is solely the age of the item, not its specific artistic merit, scientific interest, or philatelic value. This includes a vast array of goods such as antique furniture, decorative arts, historical tools, textiles, and other artifacts that have surpassed the 100-year mark. The '100 years' rule is strict and requires verifiable documentation of provenance and age for customs clearance. Classification under 9706 is crucial for trade compliance as many countries offer reduced or zero duties on antiques, recognizing their cultural and historical significance. However, this often comes with stringent requirements for proof of age and authenticity. This heading reinforces Chapter 97's focus on non-utilitarian goods that hold value due to their unique attributes, with age being the primary determinant in this specific category.
- Covers
- Victorian mahogany dining tables
- Georgian silver teapots
- Edwardian porcelain vases
- 19th-century oil paintings (not individual works of art)
- Antique grandfather clocks
- Pre-1924 Persian rugs
- 18th-century French armoires
- Antique Japanese woodblock prints
- Vintage scientific instruments (over 100 years old, not for scientific interest)
- Antique bronze sculptures (not original works of art)
- Early 20th-century typewriters (over 100 years old)
- Antique maps (over 100 years old)
- Antique chandeliers
- 19th-century tapestries
- Antique firearms (deactivated, over 100 years old)
- Antique books (over 100 years old)
- Antique sewing machines
- Antique musical instruments (over 100 years old)
- Antique jewelry (over 100 years old)
- Antique ceramic tiles
- Antique glass bottles
- Antique military uniforms (over 100 years old)
- Antique advertising posters
- Antique cameras (over 100 years old).
- Examples
An antique dealer in London, UK, exports a 19th-century Queen Anne style mahogany dining table to a client in Dallas, USA, via specialized ocean freight, requiring a certificate of age for customs. A private collector in Paris, France, imports a set of 18th-century Sevres porcelain plates from an auction house in Munich, Germany, which are transported by fine art carriers. A Japanese interior designer sources antique Edo period screens (over 100 years old) from a specialized gallery in Kyoto, Japan, for a hotel project in Sydney, Australia, necessitating careful documentation of their authenticity and age. An estate liquidator in Toronto, Canada, ships a collection of 19th-century sterling silver flatware to an auction house in New York, USA.
Subheadings under 97.06 2
Codes often confused with 97.06
Common mistake. A common confusion arises when an item is both an antique *and* of specific collector's interest, potentially falling under 9705. If the primary value is derived simply from its age (over 100 years) and it doesn't meet the specific 'interest' criteria of 9705, then 9706 is appropriate. Another error is classifying original works of art (e.g., paintings by known artists) under 9706; these belong in 9701 or 9702, regardless of age. Traders also sometimes mistakenly classify antiques based on their original functional category (e.g., antique furniture under Chapter 94) instead of recognizing the overriding 'antique' classification, which often provides more favorable tariff treatment, provided the 100-year rule is strictly met and documented.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 9706, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 9706 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, 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 $660M 24% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $531M 19% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $384M 14% of world exports
World total: $2.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $885M 32% of world imports
- 2 United States $416M 15% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $354M 13% of world imports
World total: $2.7B 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 97.06
What is HS code 9706?
HS code 9706 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Antiques; of an age exceeding one hundred years. Heading 9706 is a broad and straightforward classification for 'Antiques; of an age exceeding one hundred years.' This heading serves as a residual category within Chapter 97, encompassing any item that is over a century old, provided it does not fall more specifically under 9704 (stamps) or 9705 (specific collectors' pieces based on interest). The defining characteristic here is solely the age of the item, not its specific artistic merit, scientific interest, or philatelic value. This includes a vast array of goods such as antique furniture, decorative arts, historical tools, textiles, and other artifacts that have surpassed the 100-year mark. The '100 years' rule is strict and requires verifiable documentation of provenance and age for customs clearance. Classification under 9706 is crucial for trade compliance as many countries offer reduced or zero duties on antiques, recognizing their cultural and historical significance. However, this often comes with stringent requirements for proof of age and authenticity. This heading reinforces Chapter 97's focus on non-utilitarian goods that hold value due to their unique attributes, with age being the primary determinant in this specific category.
What products fall under HS code 9706?
Victorian mahogany dining tables, Georgian silver teapots, Edwardian porcelain vases, 19th-century oil paintings (not individual works of art), antique grandfather clocks, pre-1924 Persian rugs, 18th-century French armoires, antique Japanese woodblock prints, vintage scientific instruments (over 100 years old, not for scientific interest), antique bronze sculptures (not original works of art), early 20th-century typewriters (over 100 years old), antique maps (over 100 years old), antique chandeliers, 19th-century tapestries, antique firearms (deactivated, over 100 years old), antique books (over 100 years old), antique sewing machines, antique musical instruments (over 100 years old), antique jewelry (over 100 years old), antique ceramic tiles, antique glass bottles, antique military uniforms (over 100 years old), antique advertising posters, antique cameras (over 100 years old).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 9706?
A common confusion arises when an item is both an antique *and* of specific collector's interest, potentially falling under 9705. If the primary value is derived simply from its age (over 100 years) and it doesn't meet the specific 'interest' criteria of 9705, then 9706 is appropriate. Another error is classifying original works of art (e.g., paintings by known artists) under 9706; these belong in 9701 or 9702, regardless of age. Traders also sometimes mistakenly classify antiques based on their original functional category (e.g., antique furniture under Chapter 94) instead of recognizing the overriding 'antique' classification, which often provides more favorable tariff treatment, provided the 100-year rule is strictly met and documented.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 9706?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 9706 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($660M, 24% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($531M) and Hong Kong ($384M). World exports came to about $2.8B, 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 9706?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 9706 in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($885M, 32% of world imports), the United States ($416M) and the United Kingdom ($354M). World imports came to about $2.7B, 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 9706 structured?
HS code 9706 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 97 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (97) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.