Product classification
HS code for Storage boxes: 4819.60
Paper and paperboard, box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles, used in offices, shops or the like of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres.
Classification of storage boxes under HS 4819.60
Storage boxes made of paper or paperboard intended for office or shop use are classified under HS code 4819.60. This code specifically addresses box files, letter trays, storage boxes, and similar articles used for organization rather than just transport. While heading 4819 generally covers packing containers, subheading 4819.60 distinguishes items used for filing and storage within a professional or retail environment. The material composition must be predominantly paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, or webs of cellulose fibers. This classification is essential for distinguishing between disposable shipping containers and durable office organizational tools. The design of these items usually includes features for easy access or labeling, which are characteristic of storage solutions rather than simple shipping cartons.
- Covers
- Cardboard box files
- Paperboard letter trays
- Archival storage boxes
- Office document cases made of paperboard
- Desktop organizers of cellulose fibers
- Also under 4819.60
- IKEA KVARNVIK storage boxes
- Fellowes Bankers Box
- Leitz magazine files
- Staples document storage boxes
- Smead box files
Codes often confused with 4819.60
Common mistake. Storage boxes are frequently misclassified under 4819.10, which is reserved for corrugated paper or paperboard boxes used primarily for shipping and transport. Another common error is using 3923.10 for plastic storage boxes; HS code 4819.60 is strictly for paper-based products. Furthermore, decorative wooden boxes for storage should be classified under 4420.90. It is vital to distinguish between a box used for the initial delivery of goods (4819.10 or 4819.20) and a box designed for long-term storage and organization (4819.60).
Top exporters and importers of HS 481960 (the code used for storage boxes), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481960 (the code used for storage boxes) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 481960, not only storage boxes.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $57M 14% of world exports
- 2 Poland $45M 11% of world exports
- 3 Germany $45M 11% of world exports
World total: $418M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $57M 12% of world imports
- 2 France $50M 11% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $46M 10.0% of world imports
World total: $461M 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 storage boxes
Brazil classifies storage boxes under NCM 4819.60.00: HS 4819.60 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 storage boxes
What is the HS code for Storage boxes?
The HS code for Storage boxes is 481960 (Paper and paperboard; box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles, used in offices, shops or the like of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres).
How do I classify Storage boxes for customs?
Storage boxes is classified under HS code 481960 — Paper and paperboard; box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles, used in offices, shops or the like of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for paperboard storage boxes?
The HS code for paperboard storage boxes used in offices or shops is 4819.60.
Are corrugated shipping boxes classified under 4819.60?
No, corrugated shipping boxes are typically classified under 4819.10. HS code 4819.60 is for office-style storage and filing articles.
Which countries are the top exporters of storage boxes (HS 481960)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481960 (the code used for storage boxes) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($57M, 14% of world exports), Poland ($45M) and Germany ($45M). World exports came to about $418M, 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 storage boxes (HS 481960)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481960 (the code used for storage boxes) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($57M, 12% of world imports), France ($50M) and the Netherlands ($46M). World imports came to about $461M, 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 Storage boxes the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481960 for Storage boxes 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 storage boxes in Brazil?
In Brazil, storage boxes (HS 481960) is classified under NCM 4819.60.00.