Product classification
HS code for Original sculptures: 9703.90
Sculptures and statuary, original, in any material, of an age not exceeding 100 years.
Classification of original sculptures under HS 9703.90
Original sculptures and statuary are classified under HS code 9703.90 when they are of an age not exceeding 100 years. This classification covers works of art in any material, including stone, bronze, wood, or clay, provided they are the original creation of the artist. The essential requirement for classification under Chapter 97 is that the item is a work of art rather than a commercial product. For cast sculptures, such as those made of bronze, the Harmonized System allows for a limited number of casts (usually up to eight) to be considered "original" if they are supervised by the artist or their estate. This code is intended for unique pieces or limited editions that possess aesthetic value. By classifying these under 9703.90, customs authorities distinguish between fine art and mass-produced decorative items, which are instead classified based on their constituent material.
- Covers
- Hand-carved marble or stone statues
- Original bronze sculptures (limited editions)
- Contemporary mixed-media art installations
- Hand-sculpted ceramic or clay figures
- Original wood carvings intended as fine art
- Abstract sculptures made of metal or glass
- 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. Original sculptures are frequently misclassified under headings related to their material. For example, a plastic statue might be incorrectly placed under 3926 (other articles of plastics), or a stone figure under 6802 (worked monumental stone). These material-based codes are for commercial or mass-produced items. Another common error is using HS code 9706 for sculptures that are over 100 years old; such items must be declared as antiques. Additionally, mass-produced garden ornaments or religious icons that do not meet the "original work of art" criteria are excluded from 9703.
Top exporters and importers of HS 970390 (the code used for original sculptures), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 970390 (the code used for original sculptures) 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 original sculptures.
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 original sculptures
Brazil classifies original sculptures 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 original sculptures
What is the HS code for Original sculptures?
The HS code for Original sculptures is 970390 (Sculptures and statuary; original, in any material, of an age not exceeding 100 years). Original sculptures and statuary produced within the last 100 years are classified under HS code 9703.90.
How do I classify Original sculptures for customs?
Original sculptures 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.
Are mass-produced replicas classified as original sculptures?
No, mass-produced replicas and commercial decorative items are classified according to their material (e.g., Chapter 39 for plastic, Chapter 44 for wood, or Chapter 69 for ceramics).
Which countries are the top exporters of original sculptures (HS 970390)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 970390 (the code used for original sculptures) 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 original sculptures (HS 970390)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 970390 (the code used for original sculptures) 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 Original sculptures the same in all countries?
The base HS code 970390 for Original sculptures 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 original sculptures in Brazil?
In Brazil, original sculptures (HS 970390) is classified under NCM 9703.90.00.