Product classification
HS code for Engineering drawings: 4906.00
Plans and drawings, for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar, being originals drawn by hand, hand-written texts, photo- graphic reproductions, their carbon copies.
Classification of engineering drawings under HS 4906.00
Engineering drawings are classified under HS code 4906.00. This heading is highly specific and covers plans and drawings for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical, or similar purposes. To qualify for this heading, the items must be originals drawn by hand or photographic reproductions on sensitized paper and carbon copies of such drawings. This classification is part of Chapter 49, which deals with printed books, newspapers, pictures, and other products of the printing industry. The inclusion of engineering drawings here highlights their nature as technical documents rather than purely aesthetic works of art. The HS code 4906.00 is a "single-dash" subheading that does not have further subdivisions in the international nomenclature, making it a straightforward classification for technical schematics. The Harmonized System Explanatory Notes clarify that these drawings are usually produced by pen, pencil, or ink and are characterized by their technical precision. This code is essential for the cross-border movement of physical blueprints and technical documentation used in construction and manufacturing projects.
- Covers
- Hand-drawn architectural blueprints
- Engineering schematics (originals)
- Photographic reproductions of industrial designs
- Carbon copies of technical plans
- Topographical maps drawn by hand
- Also under 4906.00
- Frank Lloyd Wright architectural drawings
- Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks (reproductions)
- historical city plans
- original patent applications
Codes often confused with 4906.00
Common mistake. Engineering drawings are frequently misclassified under HS code 4911.91 (pictures, designs, and photographs) or 4911.99 (other printed matter). However, 4906.00 is the more specific heading for technical and engineering plans. Another common mistake is attempting to classify digital CAD files under this code. HS code 4906.00 only applies to physical documents. Digital files on a USB drive or sent via the cloud are classified either by the media (e.g., 8523) or are considered non-tangible services not subject to the physical HS nomenclature in many jurisdictions.
Top exporters and importers of HS 490600 (the code used for engineering drawings), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 490600 (the code used for engineering drawings) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Romania, with 15% 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 490600, not only engineering drawings.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $18M 28% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $17M 27% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $5.6M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $63M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Romania $7.1M 15% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $5.3M 11% of world imports
- 3 United States $4.8M 10% of world imports
World total: $47M 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 engineering drawings
Brazil classifies engineering drawings under NCM 4906.00.00: HS 4906.00 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 engineering drawings
What is the HS code for Engineering drawings?
The HS code for Engineering drawings is 490600 (Plans and drawings; for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar, being originals drawn by hand; hand-written texts; photo- graphic reproductions; their carbon copies). The HS code for physical engineering drawings and architectural plans is 4906.00.
How do I classify Engineering drawings for customs?
Engineering drawings is classified under HS code 490600 — Plans and drawings; for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar, being originals drawn by hand; hand-written texts; photo- graphic reproductions; their carbon copies. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are printed CAD drawings included in 4906.00?
Yes, as long as they are photographic reproductions or carbon copies of originals intended for engineering or industrial use, they are typically classified under 4906.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of engineering drawings (HS 490600)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 490600 (the code used for engineering drawings) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($18M, 28% of world exports), the Netherlands ($17M) and the United Kingdom ($5.6M). World exports came to about $63M, 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 engineering drawings (HS 490600)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 490600 (the code used for engineering drawings) in UN Comtrade data were Romania ($7.1M, 15% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($5.3M) and the United States ($4.8M). World imports came to about $47M, 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 Engineering drawings the same in all countries?
The base HS code 490600 for Engineering drawings 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 engineering drawings in Brazil?
In Brazil, engineering drawings (HS 490600) is classified under NCM 4906.00.00.