HS code for notebooks in the United States
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely code
- 4820.10
- Candidate codes
- 2
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 7
- General duty (MFN)
- free
Summary
Notebooks imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 4820.10 when it is a note book, diary, letter pad, memorandum pad or similar article of paper or paperboard. It sits in heading 48.20, “Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles, exercise books, blotting-pads, binders (loose-leaf or other), folders, file covers, manifold business forms, interleaved carbon sets and other articles of stationery, of paper or paperboard; albums for samples or for collections and book covers, of paper or paperboard”. Notebooks can also fall under 4820.20, depending on the type of notebook. The tariff of the United States has 7 national lines under these codes. The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4820.10 is free.
How to choose the right code
Is it a notebook, diary or pad, or a school exercise book? Use 4820.10 when it is a note book, diary, letter pad, memorandum pad or similar article of paper or paperboard. Use 4820.20 when it is an exercise book.
Codes for notebooks
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 notebooks.
- 4820.10
Most likely
Legal text: “Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles”
Heading 48.20: “Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles, exercise books, blotting-pads, binders (loose-leaf or other), folders, file covers, manifold business forms, interleaved carbon sets and other articles of stationery, of paper or paperboard; albums for samples or for collections and book covers, of paper or paperboard”
Applies when it is a note book, diary, letter pad, memorandum pad or similar article of paper or paperboard.
- 4820.20
Possible
Legal text: “Exercise books”
Heading 48.20: “Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles, exercise books, blotting-pads, binders (loose-leaf or other), folders, file covers, manifold business forms, interleaved carbon sets and other articles of stationery, of paper or paperboard; albums for samples or for collections and book covers, of paper or paperboard”
Applies when it is an exercise book.
National lines in the United States
The tariff of the United States splits these codes into 7 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4820.10 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 4820.10
- 4820.10.20.10“Diaries, notebooks and address books, bound; memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles › Diaries and address books”free
- 4820.10.20.20“Diaries, notebooks and address books, bound; memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles › Memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles”free
- 4820.10.20.30“Diaries, notebooks and address books, bound; memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles › Sewn composition books with dimensions of 152.4-381 mm (6" - 15"), inclusive (small side) X 222.5-381 mm (8.75" -15"), inclusive (large side)”free
- 4820.10.20.40“Diaries, notebooks and address books, bound; memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles › Other note books with dimensions of 152.4-381 mm (6" - 15"), inclusive (small side) X 222.5-381 mm (8.75" -15"), inclusive (large side)”free
- 4820.10.20.60“Diaries, notebooks and address books, bound; memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles › Other”free
- 4820.10.40.00“Other”free
Under 4820.20
- 4820.20.00.00“Exercise books”free
Similar products
Products in the same category as notebooks, or classified under the same headings.
- Ballpoint pensHS 9608.10
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 notebooks 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 notebooks?
Notebooks imported into the United States are usually classified under HS code 4820.10 when it is a note book, diary, letter pad, memorandum pad or similar article of paper or paperboard. It sits in heading 48.20, “Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles, exercise books, blotting-pads, binders (loose-leaf or other), folders, file covers, manifold business forms, interleaved carbon sets and other articles of stationery, of paper or paperboard; albums for samples or for collections and book covers, of paper or paperboard”.
Does the type of notebook change the HS code for notebooks?
Yes. Use 4820.10 when it is a note book, diary, letter pad, memorandum pad or similar article of paper or paperboard. Use 4820.20 when it is an exercise book.
What is the duty on notebooks imported into the United States?
The general (MFN) duty in the United States on the national lines under 4820.10 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 notebooks by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again.
Official source files: