Product classification
HS code for Greeting 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 greeting cards under HS 4909.00
Greeting cards are classified under HS code 4909.00 because they are defined as printed or illustrated cards that bear personal greetings, messages, or announcements. The classification is determined by the primary function of the item as a medium for social or personal communication. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1, the heading is governed by the terms of the heading and any relative section or chapter notes. In this case, Chapter 49 covers products of the printing industry. For a product to remain under 4909.00, the printing must not be merely incidental; rather, it must provide the essential character of the item. This includes cards for birthdays, Christmas, weddings, and even simple thank-you notes. The presence of envelopes, even if they are lined or decorated, does not change the classification of the set, as the card is the principal component. Furthermore, the addition of minor trimmings such as ribbons, tassels, or even small electronic sound modules (music chips) generally does not move the product out of this category, provided the item remains essentially a greeting card.
- Covers
- Birthday cards with or without envelopes
- Christmas and holiday greeting cards
- Wedding invitations and RSVP cards
- Printed postcards with personal messages
- Announcement cards for births or graduations
- Sympathy and 'get well' cards
- 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. Greeting cards are frequently misclassified under HS code 4817.20, which covers letter cards and plain postcards. The distinction lies in the printing; 4817 is for stationery that is primarily for writing, whereas 4909 is for cards with pre-printed messages or illustrations. Another common error is using HS code 4911.91 for pictures and photographs. While a greeting card may feature a photograph, if it is formatted as a card for communication, 4909.00 takes precedence as the more specific heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 490900 (the code used for greeting cards), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 490900 (the code used for greeting 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 greeting 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 greeting cards
Brazil classifies greeting 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 greeting cards
What is the HS code for Greeting cards?
The HS code for Greeting 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 greeting cards, including those that are illustrated or bear personal messages, is 4909.00.
How do I classify Greeting cards for customs?
Greeting 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.
Does a card with a music chip change the HS code?
Generally, no. If the essential character of the item remains a greeting card, it stays under 4909.00. However, if the electronic component is the primary value, it might be scrutinized under Chapter 85.
Which countries are the top exporters of greeting cards (HS 490900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 490900 (the code used for greeting 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 greeting cards (HS 490900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 490900 (the code used for greeting 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 Greeting cards the same in all countries?
The base HS code 490900 for Greeting 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 greeting cards in Brazil?
In Brazil, greeting cards (HS 490900) is classified under NCM 4909.00.00.