Product classification
HS code for Christmas cards: 4909.00
Printed or illustrated postcards, printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings.
Classification of christmas cards under HS 4909.00
Christmas cards are classified under HS code 4909.00, which covers printed or illustrated postcards and printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages, or announcements. This classification is driven by the primary nature of the product as a printed medium for communication. Chapter 49 of the Harmonized System is dedicated to products of the printing industry, including books, newspapers, and pictures. Heading 4909 specifically addresses the category of greeting cards. According to GRI 1, the classification is determined by the literal text of the heading. Christmas cards, whether they are simple printed cards or elaborate designs with pop-up features, glitter, or ribbons, fall under this code because their essential character is that of a greeting card. The presence of envelopes, even if they are sold together in a retail pack, does not change the classification of the cards themselves. Furthermore, even if the card incorporates a small electronic sound module that plays music when opened, it is generally still classified under 4909.00 because the printed greeting remains the primary component, and the electronic part is considered an accessory. This code ensures that all seasonal and social greeting cards are grouped together for international trade statistics and tariff application across all member nations of the World Customs Organization.
- Covers
- Printed Christmas greeting cards
- Musical Christmas cards
- Pop-up or 3D festive cards
- Illustrated holiday postcards
- Also under 4909.00
- Hallmark greeting cards
- Papyrus cards
- National Geographic postcards
- local tourist postcards
- custom printed invitations
Codes often confused with 4909.00
Common mistake. Christmas cards are sometimes misclassified under HS code 4817.20, which covers letter cards and plain postcards. However, 4909.00 is more specific for cards with printed greetings. Another misclassification occurs with HS code 4911.91, which covers pictures, designs, and photographs; if the item has the format and intent of a greeting card, 4909.00 takes precedence over general printed matter.
Top exporters and importers of HS 490900 (the code used for christmas cards), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 490900 (the code used for christmas cards) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 42% 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 490900, not only christmas cards.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $349M 42% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$94M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United Kingdom $74M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $836M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $265M 32% of world imports
- 2 Germany $81M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $80M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $839M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 christmas cards
Brazil classifies christmas cards under NCM 4909.00.00: HS 4909.00 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 christmas cards
What is the HS code for Christmas cards?
The HS code for Christmas cards is 490900 (Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings). The HS code for Christmas cards is 4909.00, which includes all printed cards bearing personal greetings.
How do I classify Christmas cards for customs?
Christmas cards is classified under HS code 490900 — Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Do cards with envelopes have a different code?
No, Christmas cards sold with envelopes are still classified under HS code 4909.00 as the card is the essential character of the set.
Which countries are the top exporters of christmas cards (HS 490900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 490900 (the code used for christmas cards) in UN Comtrade data were China ($349M, 42% of world exports), Vietnam (about $94M) and the United Kingdom ($74M). World exports came to about $836M, 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 christmas cards (HS 490900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 490900 (the code used for christmas cards) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($265M, 32% of world imports), Germany ($81M) and the United Kingdom ($80M). World imports came to about $839M, 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 Christmas cards the same in all countries?
The base HS code 490900 for Christmas cards 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 christmas cards in Brazil?
In Brazil, christmas cards (HS 490900) is classified under NCM 4909.00.00.