HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9706.10 – Antiques; of an age exceeding 250 years
HS code 9706.10 is the 6-digit subheading for antiques, of an age exceeding 250 years. It is used for ming Dynasty porcelain vases, 18th-century French Rococo furniture, roman Empire marble sculptures, renaissance oil paintings and ancient Egyptian papyri.
What HS 9706.10 covers
This HS code encompasses the international trade of exceptionally old and valuable antiques, specifically those exceeding 250 years in age. These items are typically high-value assets, often traded by specialized auction houses, elite art dealers, museums, and ultra-high-net-worth private collectors. The market for these goods is driven by historical significance, artistic merit, rarity, and provenance. Key considerations in their trade include rigorous authentication processes, adherence to strict cultural heritage protection laws (preventing illicit trafficking), complex valuation methodologies, and often specialized restoration and conservation requirements. Importing and exporting these ancient artifacts involves navigating intricate customs regulations, CITES permits for certain materials, and often significant insurance costs due to their irreplaceable nature. The trade reflects a global appreciation for human history and artistic achievement, with major art hubs serving as primary transaction points.
- Covers
- Ming Dynasty porcelain vases
- 18th-century French Rococo furniture
- Roman Empire marble sculptures
- Renaissance oil paintings
- Ancient Egyptian papyri
- Georgian era silver tea sets
- Pre-Columbian gold artifacts
- Qing Dynasty jade carvings
- Examples
- Louis XIV commodes
- Kangxi period blue-and-white ceramics
- Rembrandt van Rijn paintings
- Chippendale mahogany chairs
- Sèvres porcelain
Codes often confused with 9706.10
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 970690 for younger antiques, but the strict 250-year age threshold is the defining factor. It can also be mistaken for 970500 if the item's primary value is scientific or archaeological rather than artistic or historical.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 970610, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 970610 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 30% 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 $346M 24% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $266M 19% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $240M 17% of world exports
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $333M 30% of world imports
- 2 China $155M 14% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $144M 13% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 9706.10
Brazil does not split HS 9706.10: its NCM code is 9706.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 97.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9706.10
What is HS code 970610?
HS code 970610 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Antiques; of an age exceeding 250 years. This HS code encompasses the international trade of exceptionally old and valuable antiques, specifically those exceeding 250 years in age. These items are typically high-value assets, often traded by specialized auction houses, elite art dealers, museums, and ultra-high-net-worth private collectors. The market for these goods is driven by historical significance, artistic merit, rarity, and provenance. Key considerations in their trade include rigorous authentication processes, adherence to strict cultural heritage protection laws (preventing illicit trafficking), complex valuation methodologies, and often specialized restoration and conservation requirements. Importing and exporting these ancient artifacts involves navigating intricate customs regulations, CITES permits for certain materials, and often significant insurance costs due to their irreplaceable nature. The trade reflects a global appreciation for human history and artistic achievement, with major art hubs serving as primary transaction points.
What products fall under HS code 970610?
Ming Dynasty porcelain vases, 18th-century French Rococo furniture, Roman Empire marble sculptures, Renaissance oil paintings, ancient Egyptian papyri, Georgian era silver tea sets, pre-Columbian gold artifacts, Qing Dynasty jade carvings
What are common misclassifications for HS code 970610?
This code is often confused with 970690 for younger antiques, but the strict 250-year age threshold is the defining factor. It can also be mistaken for 970500 if the item's primary value is scientific or archaeological rather than artistic or historical.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 970610?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 970610 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($346M, 24% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($266M) and Hong Kong ($240M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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 970610?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 970610 in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($333M, 30% of world imports), China ($155M) and the United Kingdom ($144M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 970610 structured?
HS code 970610 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (97) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 970610?
In Brazil, HS code 970610 is NCM 9706.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.