Product classification
HS code for Paper clips: 8305.90
Stationery, letter clips, letter corners, paper clips, indexing tags and similar office articles, including parts, of base metal.
Classification of paper clips under HS 8305.90
Paper clips are classified under HS code 8305.90, which falls within Chapter 83 for miscellaneous articles of base metal. The classification is determined by the material composition and the functional utility of the item as office stationery. Heading 8305 specifically addresses fittings for loose-leaf binders or files, letter clips, letter corners, paper clips, and indexing tags. Since paper clips are typically made from iron or steel wire (base metals) and are designed for the temporary fastening of documents, they meet the criteria for this heading. The subheading 8305.90 is a residual category for office articles of base metal that are not specifically staples in strips (8305.20) or binder fittings (8305.10). Even if the metal paper clips are coated with a thin layer of plastic for color-coding or rust prevention, the essential character of the item remains the base metal core, thus maintaining its classification in Chapter 83 rather than Chapter 39.
- Covers
- Standard wire paper clips
- Butterfly-style paper clips
- Vinyl-coated metal paper clips
- Large jumbo paper clips
- Triangular metal paper fasteners
- Also under 8305.90
- Gem paper clips
- ACCO binder clips
- Officemate push pins
- Staples brand paper clips
- Fellowes paper clips
Codes often confused with 8305.90
Common mistake. Paper clips are often misclassified under HS code 7326.20, which covers other articles of iron or steel wire. While paper clips are made of wire, the specific provision for office stationery in 8305 takes precedence over the general provision for wire articles in 7326. Another common error is using HS code 3926.10 for plastic-coated clips. Unless the clip is made entirely of plastic, it should remain in 8305.90. Furthermore, decorative binder clips are sometimes confused with 8305.10, but that code is strictly for the mechanisms used inside binders, not the external clips used to hold papers together.
Top exporters and importers of HS 830590 (the code used for paper clips), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 830590 (the code used for paper clips) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 76% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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 830590, not only paper clips.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $175M 76% of world exports
- 2 Slovenia $5.8M 2.5% of world exports
- 3 Germany $5.6M 2.4% of world exports
World total: $230M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $23M 12% of world imports
- 2 Germany $10M 5.4% of world imports
- 3 Japan $9.6M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $186M 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 paper clips
Brazil classifies paper clips under NCM 8305.90.00: HS 8305.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about paper clips
What is the HS code for Paper clips?
The HS code for Paper clips is 830590 (Stationery; letter clips, letter corners, paper clips, indexing tags and similar office articles, including parts, of base metal). The standard HS code for metal paper clips is 8305.90, covering office stationery articles of base metal.
How do I classify Paper clips for customs?
Paper clips is classified under HS code 830590 — Stationery; letter clips, letter corners, paper clips, indexing tags and similar office articles, including parts, of base metal. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the HS code change if the paper clips are colored?
No, as long as the core material is base metal, colored or plastic-coated paper clips remain classified under 8305.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of paper clips (HS 830590)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 830590 (the code used for paper clips) in UN Comtrade data were China ($175M, 76% of world exports), Slovenia ($5.8M) and Germany ($5.6M). World exports came to about $230M, 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 paper clips (HS 830590)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 830590 (the code used for paper clips) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($23M, 12% of world imports), Germany ($10M) and Japan ($9.6M). World imports came to about $186M, 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 Paper clips the same in all countries?
The base HS code 830590 for Paper clips 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 paper clips in Brazil?
In Brazil, paper clips (HS 830590) is classified under NCM 8305.90.00.