HS code for suitcases in the European Union
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely code
- 4202.12
- Candidate codes
- 3
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 14
- General duty (MFN)
- 9.7%, 5.2%, 3.7%
Summary
Suitcases imported into the European Union are usually classified under HS code 4202.12 when its outer surface is of plastics 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…”. Suitcases can also fall under 4202.11 or 4202.19, depending on the material. The tariff of the European Union has 14 national lines under these codes. The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 4202.12 is 9.7%, 5.2% or 3.7%, depending on the line.
How to choose the right code
What is the outer surface made of: plastics or textile, leather, or something else? Use 4202.12 when its outer surface is of plastics or of textile materials. Use 4202.11 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather. Use 4202.19 when its outer surface is of another material, such as aluminium.
Goods of mixed materials are generally classified by the material that gives them their essential character.
Codes for suitcases
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 suitcases.
- 4202.12
Most likely
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 its outer surface is of plastics or of textile materials.
- 4202.11
Possible
Legal text: “Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels and similar containers: 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.
- 4202.19
Possible
Legal text: “Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels and similar containers: 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, such as aluminium.
National lines in the European Union
The tariff of the European Union splits these codes into 14 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 4202.12 is 9.7%, 5.2% or 3.7%, 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 4202.12
- 4202 12 11 00“With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials › Of sheeting of plastics › Executive-cases, br…”9.7%
- 4202 12 19 00“With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials › Of sheeting of plastics › Other”9.7%
- 4202 12 50 00“With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials › Of moulded plastic material”5.2%
- 4202 12 91 10“With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials › Of other materials, including vulcanised fibr…”3.7%
- 4202 12 91 90“With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials › Of other materials, including vulcanised fibr…”3.7%
- 4202 12 99 10“With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials › Of other materials, including vulcanised fibr…”3.7%
- 4202 12 99 90“With outer surface of plastics or of textile materials › Of other materials, including vulcanised fibr…”3.7%
Under 4202.11
- 4202 11 10 10“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels…”3%
- 4202 11 10 90“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels…”3%
- 4202 11 90 10“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Other › Hand-made”3%
- 4202 11 90 90“With outer surface of leather or of composition leather › Other”3%
Under 4202.19
- 4202 19 10 00“Other › Of aluminium”5.7%
- 4202 19 90 10“Other › Of other materials › Hand-made”3.7%
- 4202 19 90 90“Of other materials › Other”3.7%
Similar products
Products in the same category as suitcases, or classified under the same headings.
- BackpacksHS 4202.92
- HandbagsHS 4202.21, 4202.22
- WalletsHS 4202.31, 4202.32
- Leather beltsHS 4203.30
- SunglassesHS 9004.10
Other countries
National tariff lines for suitcases are live for the United States. Each page lists the lines under the codes above, with their duty rates where they are live.
- Suitcases in United States16 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 suitcases 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 suitcases?
Suitcases imported into the European Union are usually classified under HS code 4202.12 when its outer surface is of plastics 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 suitcases?
Yes. Use 4202.12 when its outer surface is of plastics or of textile materials. Use 4202.11 when its outer surface is of leather or composition leather. Use 4202.19 when its outer surface is of another material, such as aluminium.
What is the duty on suitcases imported into the European Union?
The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 4202.12 is 9.7%, 5.2% or 3.7%, 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 suitcases by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again.