Product classification
HS code for Office stationery: 4820.90
Paper or paperboard, stationery n.e.c. in heading no. 4820.
Classification of office stationery under HS 4820.90
Office stationery is classified under HS code 4820.90, which serves as a residual category for various paper-based articles used in professional and educational environments. This classification is governed by Chapter 48 of the Harmonized System, which covers paper and paperboard and articles thereof. Specifically, heading 4820 includes registers, account books, notebooks, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries, and similar articles. Subheading 4820.90 is designated for stationery items not elsewhere specified (n.e.c.) within this heading. The classification is determined by the primary material being paper or paperboard and the item's function as a tool for writing, organizing, or record-keeping. Under the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, products are categorized based on their constituent material and their finished state. Items in this category are typically intended for manual use rather than for use in printing machines, which would potentially shift the classification to other headings in Chapter 48 or Chapter 49.
- Covers
- Blotting pads for desk use
- Book covers and protectors made of paper
- Manifold business forms and interleaved carbon sets
- Letter pads and memorandum pads
- Paper-based file folders and binders (not including plastic variants)
- Engagement books and appointment calendars
- Also under 4820.90
- Moleskine notebooks
- Leuchtturm1917 journals
- Oxford spiral notebooks
- Avery binders
Codes often confused with 4820.90
Common mistake. Office stationery is frequently misclassified under HS code 4817, which is reserved for envelopes, letter cards, and plain postcards. Another common error involves HS code 4820.10, which specifically covers registers, account books, and notebooks; if an item has a more specific function like a ledger, it must go there rather than the residual 4820.90. Furthermore, stationery made primarily of plastic is often incorrectly placed here, but it should be classified under Chapter 39, specifically 3926.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 482090 (the code used for office stationery), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 482090 (the code used for office stationery) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 18% 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 482090, not only office stationery.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $68M 29% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $21M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Germany $16M 6.5% of world exports
World total: $239M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $58M 18% of world imports
- 2 Nigeria $31M 9.9% of world imports
- 3 United States $19M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $319M 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 office stationery
Brazil classifies office stationery under NCM 4820.90.00: HS 4820.90 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 office stationery
What is the HS code for Office stationery?
The HS code for Office stationery is 482090 (Paper or paperboard; stationery n.e.c. in heading no. 4820). The HS code for miscellaneous paper-based office stationery is 4820.90.
How do I classify Office stationery for customs?
Office stationery is classified under HS code 482090 — Paper or paperboard; stationery n.e.c. in heading no. 4820. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are plastic folders classified under this code?
No, plastic folders and similar office supplies made of polymers are classified under HS code 3926.10, as the material composition takes precedence over the stationery function in this instance.
Which countries are the top exporters of office stationery (HS 482090)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 482090 (the code used for office stationery) in UN Comtrade data were China ($68M, 29% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($21M) and Germany ($16M). World exports came to about $239M, 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 office stationery (HS 482090)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 482090 (the code used for office stationery) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($58M, 18% of world imports), Nigeria ($31M) and the United States ($19M). World imports came to about $319M, 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 Office stationery the same in all countries?
The base HS code 482090 for Office stationery 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 office stationery in Brazil?
In Brazil, office stationery (HS 482090) is classified under NCM 4820.90.00.