Product classification
HS code for Contemporary drawing: 9701.91
Paintings, drawings and pastels, executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age not exceeding 100 years.
Classification of contemporary drawing under HS 9701.91
A contemporary drawing is classified under HS code 9701.91. This code is part of Chapter 97, which covers works of art, collectors' pieces, and antiques. Heading 9701 specifically applies to paintings, drawings, and pastels executed entirely by hand. The classification is further refined by the age of the work; subheading 9701.91 is designated for works that are not more than 100 years old. To qualify for this code, the drawing must be a unique creation of the artist's hand, using media such as pencil, charcoal, ink, or pastels. The 'contemporary' designation in trade usually refers to works created in the modern era, and the HS system uses the 100-year threshold to distinguish between modern art and antiques. It is essential that the work is not a mechanical reproduction or a commercial product, as the 'executed entirely by hand' requirement is the primary legal determinant for classification under this heading.
- Covers
- Original charcoal sketches created by hand
- Pencil drawings on paper or parchment
- Hand-executed ink illustrations
- Original pastel drawings
- Mixed media drawings where the primary element is hand-drawn
- Contemporary fine art sketches
- Also under 9701.91
- Works by contemporary artists (e.g., Gerhard Richter, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons)
- 20th-century masterpieces (e.g., Picasso, Warhol, Frida Kahlo)
- modern landscape paintings
- abstract expressionist works
Codes often confused with 9701.91
Common mistake. Contemporary drawings are often misclassified under HS code 4911, which covers other printed matter, including pictures and photographs. If a drawing is a print or a lithograph, it cannot be classified under 9701. Another common error is using HS code 4906, which is reserved for plans and drawings for architectural, engineering, industrial, or commercial purposes. Even if those plans are hand-drawn, they are excluded from 9701. Finally, if the drawing is older than 100 years, it must be classified under 9706.00 as an antique.
Top exporters and importers of HS 970191 (the code used for contemporary drawing), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 970191 (the code used for contemporary drawing) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 36% 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 970191, not only contemporary drawing.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $5.4B 36% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $2.8B 19% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $1.4B 9.5% of world exports
World total: $15.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $5.1B 32% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $2.9B 18% of world imports
- 3 Switzerland $1.4B 8.6% of world imports
World total: $16.1B 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 contemporary drawing
Brazil classifies contemporary drawing under NCM 9701.91.00: HS 9701.91 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about contemporary drawing
What is the HS code for Contemporary drawing?
The HS code for Contemporary drawing is 970191 (Paintings, drawings and pastels; executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age not exceeding 100 years). The HS code for a hand-executed contemporary drawing (less than 100 years old) is 9701.91.
How do I classify Contemporary drawing for customs?
Contemporary drawing is classified under HS code 970191 — Paintings, drawings and pastels; executed entirely by hand, other than drawings of heading no. 4906, of an age not exceeding 100 years. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include digital drawings?
No, digital art or drawings created on a computer and printed are classified under 4911, as they are not 'executed entirely by hand' in the traditional sense.
Which countries are the top exporters of contemporary drawing (HS 970191)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 970191 (the code used for contemporary drawing) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.4B, 36% of world exports), Hong Kong ($2.8B) and the United Kingdom ($1.4B). World exports came to about $15.0B, 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 contemporary drawing (HS 970191)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 970191 (the code used for contemporary drawing) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.1B, 32% of world imports), Hong Kong ($2.9B) and Switzerland ($1.4B). World imports came to about $16.1B, 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.
Is the HS code for Contemporary drawing the same in all countries?
The base HS code 970191 for Contemporary drawing 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 contemporary drawing in Brazil?
In Brazil, contemporary drawing (HS 970191) is classified under NCM 9701.91.00.