HS code for board games in the United States
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely code
- 9504.90
- Candidate codes
- 1
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 5
- General duty (MFN)
- free
Summary
Board games imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 9504.90 when it is a table or parlour game, such as a board game, that is not playing cards or a video game. It sits in heading 95.04, “Video game consoles and machines, table or parlour games, including pintables, billiards, special tables for casino games and automatic bowling equipment, amusement machines operated by coins, banknotes, bank cards, tokens or by any other means of payment”. The tariff of the United States has 5 national lines under this code. The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 9504.90 is free.
How to choose the right code
Is it a board or table game, or a pack of playing cards? Use 9504.90 when it is a table or parlour game, such as a board game, that is not playing cards or a video game. Use 9504.40 when it is a pack of playing cards.
Some similar goods are classified elsewhere: 9504.40 applies when it is a pack of playing cards and 9503.00 applies when it is a puzzle, which is classified with toys.
Codes for board games
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 board games.
- 9504.90
Most likely
Legal text: “Other”
Heading 95.04: “Video game consoles and machines, table or parlour games, including pintables, billiards, special tables for casino games and automatic bowling equipment, amusement machines operated by coins, banknotes, bank cards, tokens or by any other means of payment”
Applies when it is a table or parlour game, such as a board game, that is not playing cards or a video game.
- 9504.40
Classified elsewhere
Legal text: “Playing cards”
Heading 95.04: “Video game consoles and machines, table or parlour games, including pintables, billiards, special tables for casino games and automatic bowling equipment, amusement machines operated by coins, banknotes, bank cards, tokens or by any other means of payment”
Applies when it is a pack of playing cards.
- 9503.00
Classified elsewhere
Legal text: “Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size ("scale") models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds”
Heading 95.03: “Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size ("scale") models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds”
Applies when it is a puzzle, which is classified with toys.
National lines in the United States
The tariff of the United States splits this code into 5 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 9504.90 is free. 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 9504.90
- 9504.90.40.00“Game machines, other than those operated by coins, banknotes (paper currency), discs or similar articles; parts and accessories thereof”free
- 9504.90.60.00“Other › Chess, checkers, parchisi, backgammon, darts and other games played on boards of a special design, all the foregoing games and parts there of (including their boards); mah-jong and dominoes; any of the foregoing games in combination with each other, or with other games, packaged together as a unit in immediate containers of a type used in retail sales; poker chips and dice”free
- 9504.90.90.40“Other › Other › Bowling balls”free
- 9504.90.90.60“Other › Other › Bowling equipment and parts and accessories thereof”free
- 9504.90.90.80“Other › Other › Other”free
Similar products
Products in the same category as board games, or classified under the same headings.
- Playing cardsHS 9504.40
- Video game consolesHS 9504.50
- Building block setsHS 9503.00
- Jigsaw puzzlesHS 9503.00
- Stuffed animalsHS 9503.00
- ToysHS 9503.00
Check your exact product
Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code in the tariff of the United States 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 board games 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 board games?
Board games imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 9504.90 when it is a table or parlour game, such as a board game, that is not playing cards or a video game. It sits in heading 95.04, “Video game consoles and machines, table or parlour games, including pintables, billiards, special tables for casino games and automatic bowling equipment, amusement machines operated by coins, banknotes, bank cards, tokens or by any other means of payment”.
Does the type of game change the HS code for board games?
Yes. Use 9504.90 when it is a table or parlour game, such as a board game, that is not playing cards or a video game. Use 9504.40 when it is a pack of playing cards.
What is the duty on board games imported into the United States?
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 9504.90 is free. 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 the United States (2026HTSRev21), live on border.bot since 9 October 2026.
The duty rates are from the live rates release, live on border.bot since 9 October 2026.
The conditions and questions on this page were written for board games by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again.
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