HS code for backpacks in the European Union
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely code
- 4202.92
- Candidate codes
- 3
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 13
- General duty (MFN)
- 9.7%, 6.7%, 2.7%
Summary
Backpacks imported into the European Union are usually classified under HS code 4202.92 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. It sits in heading 42.02, “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”. Backpacks can also fall under 4202.91 or 4202.99, depending on the material. The tariff of the European Union has 13 national lines under these codes. The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 4202.92 is 9.7%, 6.7% or 2.7%, depending on the line.
How to choose the right code
What is the outer surface made of: textile or plastic sheeting, leather, or something else? Use 4202.92 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. Use 4202.91 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather. Use 4202.99 when its outer surface is of another material.
Some similar goods are classified elsewhere: 4202.12 applies when it is a school satchel with an outer surface of plastics or textile, which is grouped with suitcases and briefcases.
Goods of mixed materials are generally classified by the material that gives them their essential character.
Codes for backpacks
Each code is listed with its legal text from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, quoted as published, and the condition under which it applies to backpacks.
- 4202.92
Most likely
Legal text: “Other: With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials”
Heading 42.02: “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”
Applies when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials.
- 4202.91
Possible
Legal text: “Other: With outer surface of leather or of composition leather”
Heading 42.02: “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”
Applies when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather.
- 4202.99
Possible
Legal text: “Other: Other”
Heading 42.02: “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”
Applies when its outer surface is of another material.
- 4202.12
Classified elsewhere
Legal text: “Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels and similar containers: With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials”
Heading 42.02: “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”
Applies when it is a school satchel with an outer surface of plastics or textile, which is grouped with suitcases and briefcases.
National lines in the European Union
The tariff of the European Union splits these codes into 13 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 4202.92 is 9.7%, 6.7% or 2.7%, depending on the line. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Under 4202.92
- 4202 92 11 00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › Of sheeting of plastics › Travelling-bags, toilet bags, rucksacks and sports bags”9.7%
- 4202 92 15 00“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › Of sheeting of plastics › Musical instrument cases”6.7%
- 4202 92 19 00“Of sheeting of plastics › Other”9.7%
- 4202 92 91 10“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › Of textile materials › Travelling-bags, toilet bags, rucksacks and sports bags › Hand-made”2.7%
- 4202 92 91 90“Of textile materials › Travelling-bags, toilet bags, rucksacks and sports bags › Other”2.7%
- 4202 92 98 10“With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials › Of textile materials › Other › Hand-made”2.7%
- 4202 92 98 90“Of textile materials › Other”2.7%
Under 4202.91
- 4202 91 10 10“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Travelling-bags, toilet bags, rucksacks and sports bags › Hand-made”3%
- 4202 91 10 90“Travelling-bags, toilet bags, rucksacks and sports bags › Other”3%
- 4202 91 80 10“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Other › Hand-made”3%
- 4202 91 80 90“Other”3%
Under 4202.99
- 4202 99 00 10“Other › Musical instrument cases, hand-made”3.7%
- 4202 99 00 90“Other”3.7%
Similar products
Products in the same category as backpacks, or classified under the same headings.
- HandbagsHS 4202.21, 4202.22
- SuitcasesHS 4202.12
- WalletsHS 4202.31, 4202.32
- Leather beltsHS 4203.30
- SunglassesHS 9004.10
Other countries
National tariff lines for backpacks are live for the United States. Each page lists the lines under the codes above, with their duty rates where they are live.
- Backpacks in United States23 national lines, duty rates live
Check your exact product
Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code in the tariff of the European Union with its reasons.
Classification depends on the exact product
The right code depends on what the product is made of, how it is made and what it is for, so two products sold as backpacks can fall under different codes.
Guidance from published tariff data, not a binding ruling. For a decision customs must follow, apply to the destination’s customs authority for a binding tariff ruling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for backpacks?
Backpacks imported into the European Union are usually classified under HS code 4202.92 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. It sits in heading 42.02, “Trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverages bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition le…”.
Does the material change the HS code for backpacks?
Yes. Use 4202.92 when its outer surface is of plastic sheeting or of textile materials. Use 4202.91 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather. Use 4202.99 when its outer surface is of another material.
What is the duty on backpacks imported into the European Union?
The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 4202.92 is 9.7%, 6.7% or 2.7%, depending on the line. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Sources and updates
The legal texts are from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The national lines are from the tariff release of EU (areas=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/9e277705-ac42-441d-8580-90cd730d9bc6/Geographical%20areas%20composition.xlsx#?; duties=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/bfb94607-8b4c-40c3-ad33-1efef11bb80a/Duties%20Import%2001-99.xlsx#?; exclusions=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/4b3c682c-947c-4f34-932d-0b8d192537bd/Measure%20exclusions.xlsx#?; nomenclature=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/13694f84-6980-4966-8c91-22459447b52b/Nomenclature%20EN.xlsx#?), live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The duty rates are from the live rates release, live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The conditions and questions on this page were written for backpacks by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again.