Printed Books — HS Code
Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter — other books
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HS Code
4901 — Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter
Classification Context
Chapter
Chapter 49 — Printed books, newspapers, pictures
Heading
4901 — Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter
Applicable Rule
GRI 1 — printed books are classified under 4901, duty-free in most markets
Prior Rulings
EU — EBTI (Binding Tariff Information)
Search EU EBTI databaseUS — CBP CROSS Ruling Database
Search US CBP CROSS rulingsUK — HMRC Trade Tariff
View UK Trade Tariff commodityClassification Notes
Printed books of all kinds (novels, textbooks, technical manuals, children's books) are classified under 4901.99 and are duty-free in virtually all markets. Dictionaries and encyclopaedias are 4901.91. Colouring books are 4901.99. Books printed abroad and imported are treated the same as domestically published books for HS purposes. E-books and digital downloads are not classified under Chapter 49 as they are not physical goods. Customs value of books is the transaction value including shipping. Some countries apply VAT/GST to imported books even when duty is zero.
MFN Duty Rates by Market
European Union
4901.99.00
EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) rate — applies to all 27 EU member states
United States
4901.99.00
US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) MFN rate — Section 301 tariffs may add to China-origin goods
United Kingdom
4901.99.00
UK Global Tariff (UKGT) — post-Brexit tariff schedule, independent of EU CN
Official Sources & References
WCO HS Nomenclature
World Customs Organisation — the international standard behind all HS codes
wcoomd.org
EU TARIC Database
European Commission integrated tariff — EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) rates
ec.europa.eu
US HTS Schedule (USITC)
United States International Trade Commission — official US Harmonized Tariff Schedule
hts.usitc.gov
UK Global Tariff (HMRC)
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs — UK Trade Tariff post-Brexit
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk
Disclaimer: Duty rates shown are MFN (Most-Favoured-Nation) base rates sourced from live tariff database and verified April 2026. Actual duties may differ based on country of origin, applicable trade agreements (e.g. GSP, CETA, UK-EU TCA), anti-dumping measures, or changes to tariff schedules. Always verify with the official tariff database of the importing country before making customs declarations.
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