Product classification

HS code for Cardboard purses: 4202.29

Cases and containers, handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper.

Classification of cardboard purses under HS 4202.29

Cardboard purses are classified under HS code 420229. While it may seem intuitive to classify a paper-based product under Chapter 48 (Paper and Paperboard), the Harmonized System prioritizes the function and form of certain articles over their material composition. Heading 4202 covers a wide range of containers such as trunks, suitcases, handbags, and similar articles. Specifically, subheading 420229 is for handbags, whether or not with a shoulder strap, with outer surfaces of vulcanized fiber or paperboard, or which are wholly or mainly covered with such materials. This classification is supported by Chapter Note 2(ij) to Chapter 48, which excludes articles of heading 4202 from Chapter 48. Therefore, even if a purse is made entirely of reinforced or decorative paperboard, it must be classified in Chapter 42. This ensures that all handbags, regardless of whether they are made of luxury leather or economical paperboard, are grouped together for trade monitoring and tariff application. The classification depends on the item being designed and marketed as a purse or handbag rather than a simple packing box.

Covers
  • Handbags with paperboard outer shells
  • Novelty purses made of vulcanized fiber
  • Evening bags covered in decorative paper
  • Rigid cardboard fashion clutches
Also under 4202.29
  • Specialized craft handbags
  • vintage fiberboard purses
  • designer paper-covered bags (e.g., for specific events)
  • unique artisanal creations

Codes often confused with 4202.29

Common mistake. The most common error is attempting to classify these items under 4819 (packing boxes) or 4823 (other articles of paper). However, because the item is a "handbag," Chapter 42 takes precedence. Another misclassification is 420222, which is reserved for handbags with outer surfaces of plastic sheeting or textile materials; 420229 is the correct residual category for paperboard surfaces.

48.19Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and the like, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres; box files, letter trays and the like, of paper or paperboard, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like48.23Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres; cut to size or shape, articles of paper pulp, paper and paper-board, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, n.e.c. in chapter 484202.22Cases and containers; handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), with outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials

Top exporters and importers of HS 420229 (the code used for cardboard purses), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 420229 (the code used for cardboard purses) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 16% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 420229, not only cardboard purses.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Italy $180M
  2. 2 Thailand $128M
  3. 3 France $52M

World total: $736M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Thailand $150M
  2. 2 Italy $110M
  3. 3 Singapore $54M

World total: $939M 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 cardboard purses

Brazil classifies cardboard purses under NCM 4202.29.00: HS 4202.29 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about cardboard purses

What is the HS code for Cardboard purses?

The HS code for Cardboard purses is 420229 (Cases and containers; handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper). The correct HS code for handbags with an outer surface of paperboard or vulcanized fiber is 420229.

How do I classify Cardboard purses for customs?

Cardboard purses is classified under HS code 420229 — Cases and containers; handbags (whether or not with shoulder strap and including those without handle), of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this include paper shopping bags?

No, paper shopping bags are classified under 481930 or 481940, as they are considered packing containers rather than handbags of heading 4202.

Which countries are the top exporters of cardboard purses (HS 420229)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 420229 (the code used for cardboard purses) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($180M, 24% of world exports), Thailand ($128M) and France ($52M). World exports came to about $736M, 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 cardboard purses (HS 420229)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 420229 (the code used for cardboard purses) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($150M, 16% of world imports), Italy ($110M) and Singapore ($54M). World imports came to about $939M, 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.

Is the HS code for Cardboard purses the same in all countries?

The base HS code 420229 for Cardboard purses is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for cardboard purses in Brazil?

In Brazil, cardboard purses (HS 420229) is classified under NCM 4202.29.00.