Product classification
HS code for Children's books: 4903.00
Printed matter, children's picture, drawing or colouring books.
Classification of children's books under HS 4903.00
Children's picture, drawing, or coloring books are classified under HS code 4903.00. This is a unique heading within Chapter 49, which covers printed books, newspapers, and other products of the printing industry. Unlike standard books classified under 4901, which are primarily textual, heading 4903 is reserved for publications where the pictures are the main point of interest or where the book is designed for the child to interact with through drawing or coloring. To qualify for this code, the book must be clearly intended for children and the pictorial element must be predominant. The General Interpretative Rules emphasize that the nature of the content (illustrations vs. text) and the target audience (children) are the primary factors for classification under this specific heading.
- Covers
- Children's picture books
- Children's coloring books
- Children's drawing books
- Picture books with limited text for early readers
- Activity books where drawing is the primary focus
- Also under 4903.00
"The Very Hungry Caterpillar", "Where the Wild Things Are", Disney colouring books, Usborne activity books, Peppa Pig sticker books, Dr. Seuss books
Codes often confused with 4903.00
Common mistake. Children's books are often misclassified under 4901.99, which is the general code for printed books. If a book for children contains significant narrative text and the pictures are secondary, it belongs in 4901. Another common error is classification under 9503.00 (toys). While some "toy books" with heavy cardboard or plastic pages might seem like toys, if they function primarily as a book for reading or coloring, 4903.00 remains the correct heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 490300 (the code used for children's books), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 490300 (the code used for children's books) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 490300, not only children's books.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $740M 61% of world exports
- 2 Germany $78M 6.4% of world exports
- 3 Hong Kong $48M 3.9% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $506M 29% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $206M 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $140M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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.
Brazil NCM code for children's books
Brazil classifies children's books under NCM 4903.00.00: HS 4903.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
This product is covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), requiring operators to exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.
Questions about children's books
What is the HS code for Children's books?
The HS code for Children's books is 490300 (Printed matter; children's picture, drawing or colouring books).
How do I classify Children's books for customs?
Children's books is classified under HS code 490300 — Printed matter; children's picture, drawing or colouring books. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for children's coloring books?
Children's coloring books are specifically classified under HS code 4903.00.
Are children's storybooks with mostly text classified here?
No, if the text is the primary element and pictures are incidental, the book should be classified under 4901.99.
Which countries are the top exporters of children's books (HS 490300)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 490300 (the code used for children's books) in UN Comtrade data were China ($740M, 61% of world exports), Germany ($78M) and Hong Kong ($48M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 children's books (HS 490300)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 490300 (the code used for children's books) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($506M, 29% of world imports), Hong Kong ($206M) and the United Kingdom ($140M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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.
Is the HS code for Children's books the same in all countries?
The base HS code 490300 for Children's books 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 children's books in Brazil?
In Brazil, children's books (HS 490300) is classified under NCM 4903.00.00.