Key facts
- Most likely code
- 4820.10
- Candidate codes
- 2
- HS edition
- HS2022
Summary
Notebooks 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.
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.
Similar products
Products in the same category as notebooks, or classified under the same headings.
- Ballpoint pensHS 9608.10
Duty rates by country
National tariff lines for notebooks are live for the United States. Each page lists the lines under the codes above, with their duty rates where they are live.
- Notebooks in United States6 national lines, duty rates live
Check your exact product
Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code 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 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.
Sources and updates
The legal texts are from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, live on border.bot since 11 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.