Product classification
HS code for Modern statues: 9703.90
Sculptures and statuary, original, in any material, of an age not exceeding 100 years.
Classification of modern statues under HS 9703.90
Modern statues and sculptures are classified under HS code 9703.90. This classification is reserved for original sculptures and statuary, in any material, that are not more than 100 years old. Chapter 97 covers works of art, collectors' pieces, and antiques. To qualify for this code, the statue must be an original work created by an artist. This means that mass-produced decorative items, even if they are aesthetically pleasing, do not fall under this heading; instead, they are classified by their constituent material (e.g., plastic, ceramic, or wood). The 'original' status can extend to a limited number of casts (usually up to 12) if they are made from the artist's original model and supervised by the artist. The classification 9703.90 is used for modern works, whereas older pieces would fall under the antique category.
- Covers
- Original bronze sculptures (modern)
- Hand-carved stone statues by contemporary artists
- Original wood carvings of an artistic nature
- Limited edition metal sculptures
- Mixed-media original statuary
- Also under 9703.90
Jeff Koons' 'Balloon Dog' series, Damien Hirst's 'The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living,' Anish Kapoor's 'Cloud Gate,' Ai Weiwei's 'Forever Bicycles'
Codes often confused with 9703.90
Common mistake. Modern statues are frequently misclassified under 9706.00 if they are mistakenly identified as antiques (which must be over 100 years old). More commonly, they are misclassified under material-specific codes such as 3926.40 (plastic statuettes), 6913.90 (ceramic ornaments), or 4420.10 (wood statuettes) when the items are mass-produced rather than original works of art.
Top exporters and importers of HS 970390 (the code used for modern statues), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 970390 (the code used for modern statues) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 31% 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 970390, not only modern statues.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $1.4B 32% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $741M 17% of world exports
- 3 France $398M 9.0% of world exports
World total: $4.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.4B 31% of world imports
- 2 Switzerland $507M 11% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $456M 10% of world imports
World total: $4.4B 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 modern statues
Brazil classifies modern statues under NCM 9703.90.00: HS 9703.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about modern statues
What is the HS code for Modern statues?
The HS code for Modern statues is 970390 (Sculptures and statuary; original, in any material, of an age not exceeding 100 years). The HS code for original modern statues and sculptures (less than 100 years old) is 9703.90.
How do I classify Modern statues for customs?
Modern statues is classified under HS code 970390 — Sculptures and statuary; original, in any material, of an age not exceeding 100 years. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can a mass-produced statue be classified under 9703.90?
No, mass-produced statues are classified by their material (e.g., ceramic or plastic) because 9703.90 is strictly for original works of art.
Which countries are the top exporters of modern statues (HS 970390)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 970390 (the code used for modern statues) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 32% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($741M) and France ($398M). World exports came to about $4.4B, 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 modern statues (HS 970390)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 970390 (the code used for modern statues) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 31% of world imports), Switzerland ($507M) and Hong Kong ($456M). World imports came to about $4.4B, 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 Modern statues the same in all countries?
The base HS code 970390 for Modern statues 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 modern statues in Brazil?
In Brazil, modern statues (HS 970390) is classified under NCM 9703.90.00.