{
  "summary": "Books imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 4901.99 when it is a printed book or similar printed matter that is not a dictionary, an encyclopaedia or a single sheet. It sits in heading 49.01, “Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets”. Books can also fall under 4901.91 or 4901.10, depending on the type of book. The tariff of the United States has 16 national lines under these codes. The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4901.99 is free.",
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-11",
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Most likely code",
      "value": "4901.99",
      "source": null,
      "url": "https://border.bot/hs-codes/490199"
    },
    {
      "label": "Chapter",
      "value": "49: Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans",
      "source": null,
      "url": "https://border.bot/hs-codes/49"
    },
    {
      "label": "Candidate codes",
      "value": "3",
      "source": null
    },
    {
      "label": "HS edition",
      "value": "HS2022",
      "source": null
    },
    {
      "label": "National lines",
      "value": "16",
      "source": "https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/exportList?from=0000000000&to=9999999999&format=CSV&styles=false"
    },
    {
      "label": "General duty (MFN)",
      "value": "free",
      "source": "https://hts.usitc.gov/reststop/exportList?from=0000000000&to=9999999999&format=CSV&styles=false"
    }
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "question": "What is the HS code for books?",
      "answer": "Books imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 4901.99 when it is a printed book or similar printed matter that is not a dictionary, an encyclopaedia or a single sheet. It sits in heading 49.01, “Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets”."
    },
    {
      "question": "Does the type of book change the HS code for books?",
      "answer": "Yes. Use 4901.99 when it is a printed book or similar printed matter that is not a dictionary, an encyclopaedia or a single sheet. Use 4901.91 when it is a dictionary or an encyclopaedia, or a serial instalment of one. Use 4903.00 when it is a children’s picture, drawing or colouring book."
    },
    {
      "question": "What is the duty on books imported into the United States?",
      "answer": "The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4901.99 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."
    }
  ],
  "sections": [
    {
      "id": "choose",
      "title": "How to choose the right code",
      "text": [
        "Is it an ordinary printed book, a dictionary or encyclopaedia, or a children’s picture or colouring book? Use 4901.99 when it is a printed book or similar printed matter that is not a dictionary, an encyclopaedia or a single sheet. Use 4901.91 when it is a dictionary or an encyclopaedia, or a serial instalment of one. Use 4903.00 when it is a children’s picture, drawing or colouring book.",
        "Some similar goods are classified elsewhere: 4903.00 applies when it is a children’s picture, drawing or colouring book."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "codes",
      "title": "Codes for books",
      "text": [
        "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 books."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "lines",
      "title": "National lines in the United States",
      "text": [
        "The tariff of the United States splits these codes into 16 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.",
        "The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4901.99 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."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "similar",
      "title": "Similar products",
      "text": [
        "Products in the same category as books, or classified under the same headings."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "check",
      "title": "Check your exact product",
      "text": [
        "Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code in the tariff of the United States with its reasons."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "note",
      "title": "Classification depends on the exact product",
      "text": [
        "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 books 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."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "sources",
      "title": "Sources and updates",
      "text": [
        "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 books by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "data": {
    "type": "country-product-topic",
    "topic": {
      "slug": "books",
      "name": "Books",
      "singular": "book",
      "plural": "books",
      "synonyms": [
        "paperback",
        "hardcover",
        "hardback",
        "novel",
        "printed book",
        "textbook"
      ],
      "category": {
        "id": "books-media",
        "name": "Books and media"
      }
    },
    "edition": "HS2022",
    "country": {
      "code": "US",
      "name": "United States",
      "slug": "united-states"
    },
    "ratesLive": true,
    "codes": [
      {
        "code": "490199",
        "role": "likely",
        "when": "it is a printed book or similar printed matter that is not a dictionary, an encyclopaedia or a single sheet",
        "legalText": "Other: Other",
        "levels": [
          "Other",
          "Other"
        ],
        "heading": {
          "code": "4901",
          "description": "Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets"
        },
        "chapter": {
          "code": "49",
          "description": "Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans"
        }
      },
      {
        "code": "490191",
        "role": "possible",
        "when": "it is a dictionary or an encyclopaedia, or a serial instalment of one",
        "legalText": "Other: Dictionaries and encyclopaedias, and serial instalments thereof",
        "levels": [
          "Other",
          "Dictionaries and encyclopaedias, and serial instalments thereof"
        ],
        "heading": {
          "code": "4901",
          "description": "Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets"
        },
        "chapter": {
          "code": "49",
          "description": "Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans"
        }
      },
      {
        "code": "490110",
        "role": "possible",
        "when": "it is printed in single sheets, folded or not",
        "legalText": "In single sheets, whether or not folded",
        "levels": [
          "In single sheets, whether or not folded"
        ],
        "heading": {
          "code": "4901",
          "description": "Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets"
        },
        "chapter": {
          "code": "49",
          "description": "Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans"
        }
      },
      {
        "code": "490300",
        "role": "elsewhere",
        "when": "it is a children’s picture, drawing or colouring book",
        "legalText": "Children's picture, drawing or colouring books",
        "levels": [
          "Children's picture, drawing or colouring books"
        ],
        "heading": {
          "code": "4903",
          "description": "Children's picture, drawing or colouring books"
        },
        "chapter": {
          "code": "49",
          "description": "Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans"
        }
      }
    ],
    "questions": [
      {
        "about": "type of book",
        "codes": [
          "490199",
          "490191",
          "490300"
        ],
        "question": "Is it an ordinary printed book, a dictionary or encyclopaedia, or a children’s picture or colouring book?"
      }
    ],
    "lines": [
      {
        "code": "490199",
        "lines": [
          {
            "code": "4901990010",
            "description": "Textbooks",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Textbooks"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990020",
            "description": "Bound newspapers, journals and periodicals provided for in Legal Note 3 to this chapter",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Bound newspapers, journals and periodicals provided for in Legal Note 3 to this chapter"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990030",
            "description": "Directories",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Directories"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990040",
            "description": "Bibles, testaments, prayer books and other religious books",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Bibles, testaments, prayer books and other religious books"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990050",
            "description": "Technical, scientific and professional books",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Technical, scientific and professional books"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990060",
            "description": "Valued under $5 each",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Art and pictorial books",
              "Valued under $5 each"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990065",
            "description": "Valued $5 or more each",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Art and pictorial books",
              "Valued $5 or more each"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990070",
            "description": "Hardbound books",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Hardbound books"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
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          {
            "code": "4901990075",
            "description": "Rack size paperbound books",
            "levels": [
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              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Rack size paperbound books"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990091",
            "description": "Containing not more than 4 pages each (excluding covers)",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Containing not more than 4 pages each (excluding covers)"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990092",
            "description": "Containing 5 or more pages each, but not more than 48 pages each (excluding covers)",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Containing 5 or more pages each, but not more than 48 pages each (excluding covers)"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          },
          {
            "code": "4901990093",
            "description": "Containing 49 or more pages each (excluding covers)",
            "levels": [
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Other",
              "Containing 49 or more pages each (excluding covers)"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019900",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
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        ]
      },
      {
        "code": "490191",
        "lines": [
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            "code": "4901910020",
            "description": "Dictionaries (including thesauruses)",
            "levels": [
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              "Dictionaries and encyclopedias, and serial installments thereof",
              "Dictionaries (including thesauruses)"
            ],
            "general": {
              "code": "49019100",
              "dutyText": "Free",
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              "unit": null
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            "measures": []
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            "general": {
              "code": "49019100",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
              "endDate": null,
              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
          }
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              "Reproduction proofs"
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            "general": {
              "code": "49011000",
              "dutyText": "Free",
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              "unit": null
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              "code": "49011000",
              "dutyText": "Free",
              "startDate": null,
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              "unit": null
            },
            "measures": []
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        "codes": [
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        "slug": "vinyl-records",
        "name": "Vinyl records",
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          "id": "books-media",
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        "codes": [
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  "attribution": "border.bot tariff reference (border.bot), compiled from the official publishers named on each page.",
  "terms": "https://border.bot/legal/terms",
  "notice": "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.",
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}