Product classification
HS code for Stationery sets: 4817.30
Paper and paperboard, boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums containing an assortment of paper stationery.
Classification of stationery sets under HS 4817.30
Stationery sets are classified under HS code 4817.30 when they consist of boxes, pouches, wallets, or writing compendiums containing an assortment of paper stationery. This classification is part of Chapter 48, which covers paper and paperboard articles. The primary characteristic for this code is the "assortment" of items, typically including envelopes, letter sheets, and cards, presented together for retail sale. The classification is driven by the packaging and the collective nature of the paper products. If the set contains minor non-paper items like a single pen or a small eraser, it may still be classified here provided the essential character of the set is the paper stationery, following General Interpretative Rule 3(b). The heading 4817 is specifically designed for correspondence-related paper goods. The items must be intended for personal or business correspondence to fit this category. This includes sets used for invitations, thank-you notes, or general letter writing. The packaging (the box or pouch) is considered part of the article and does not require separate classification if it is of a kind normally used for such goods. The focus is on the convenience of the consumer, providing all necessary paper components for a specific task in one unit.
- Covers
- Writing compendiums containing paper and envelopes
- Boxed sets of greeting cards with matching envelopes
- Pouches containing decorated letter sheets and envelopes
- Personalized stationery sets for retail sale
- Invitation sets including RSVP cards and envelopes
- Also under 4817.30
Papier Stationery Sets, Rifle Paper Co. Boxed Note Cards, Crane & Co. Stationery Wardrobe, Moleskine Writing Sets, Kate Spade New York Stationery Sets
Codes often confused with 4817.30
Common mistake. Stationery sets are often confused with HS code 4820, which covers registers, notebooks, and letter pads. While 4820 includes bound paper goods, 4817.30 is specific to assortments of loose or folded correspondence paper and envelopes. Another common misclassification occurs with HS code 9608 if the set contains high-value pens. If the pens provide the essential character to the set, the entire package might be classified under Chapter 96. Additionally, if the set consists only of envelopes, it should be classified under 4817.20, not 4817.30, as the latter requires an assortment of different stationery items.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481730 (the code used for stationery sets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481730 (the code used for stationery sets) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 9.7% 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 481730, not only stationery sets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $96M 49% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $14M 7.3% of world exports
- 3 Spain $9.2M 4.7% of world exports
World total: $196M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $15M 9.7% of world imports
- 2 Germany $11M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $11M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $159M 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 stationery sets
Brazil classifies stationery sets under NCM 4817.30.00: HS 4817.30 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 stationery sets
What is the HS code for Stationery sets?
The HS code for Stationery sets is 481730 (Paper and paperboard; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums containing an assortment of paper stationery). The HS code for stationery sets containing an assortment of paper stationery in boxes or pouches is 4817.30.
How do I classify Stationery sets for customs?
Stationery sets is classified under HS code 481730 — Paper and paperboard; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums containing an assortment of paper stationery. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can a stationery set include a pen?
Yes, a stationery set can include a pen and still be classified under 4817.30, provided the pen is an incidental component and the paper stationery remains the primary component of the set.
Which countries are the top exporters of stationery sets (HS 481730)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481730 (the code used for stationery sets) in UN Comtrade data were China ($96M, 49% of world exports), the Netherlands ($14M) and Spain ($9.2M). World exports came to about $196M, 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 stationery sets (HS 481730)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481730 (the code used for stationery sets) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($15M, 9.7% of world imports), Germany ($11M) and the United Kingdom ($11M). World imports came to about $159M, 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 Stationery sets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481730 for Stationery sets 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 stationery sets in Brazil?
In Brazil, stationery sets (HS 481730) is classified under NCM 4817.30.00.