HS Code for Vintage print

HS code 9702.10 is reserved for original engravings, prints, and lithographs that have attained an age exceeding 100 years. Classification under this heading requires that the item be an 'original' work, defined as a print produced directly in black and white or in color from one or several plates wholly executed by hand by the artist. This must be done irrespective of the process or the material employed, but strictly excludes any mechanical or photomechanical processes. The age threshold is critical; prints that meet the 'original' definition but are less than 100 years old are classified under 9702.90. This classification distinguishes fine art prints from commercial reproductions. The value of these items is derived from their status as multiples created as primary works of art rather than copies of a painting. The process involves the artist manually incising a plate (engraving), etching a surface with acid, or preparing a lithographic stone. Because these are considered 'Antiques' under Chapter 97, they often benefit from different duty rates compared to modern printed matter.

Products Included

• Original 18th-century copperplate engravings
• Antique woodblock prints exceeding 100 years of age
• Original lithographs produced by hand-drawn stones (antique)
• Antique etchings signed or attributed to historical artists
• Drypoint prints from the 19th century

Common Misclassification

Vintage prints are often misclassified under 4911.91, which covers commercial pictures, designs, and photographs. The distinction lies in the 'original' hand-executed nature of the plate; mass-produced offset lithographs or digital reproductions are never 9702. Another common error is using 9706.00 for 'Antiques of an age exceeding 100 years,' but 9702 is more specific for prints and takes precedence over the general antique heading.

FAQ

What is the HS code for vintage print?

The HS code for an original print, engraving, or lithograph over 100 years old is 9702.10.

Are 1950s movie posters classified here?

No, 1950s posters are less than 100 years old and are usually mass-produced, placing them under 4911 or 9702.90 if they qualify as original art.