Find HS Code and trade information for office supplies

Office Supplies

Office supplies encompass a wide range of consumable items used in offices, schools, and other administrative settings for various tasks related to organization, writing, and information processing. They facilitate day-to-day operations and are essential for maintaining a productive workspace.

Materials

Office supplies are manufactured from a diverse range of materials, including:

• Paper: The most fundamental material, available in various weights, sizes, and finishes (e.g., printer paper, bond paper, cardstock, construction paper).
• Plastic: Used extensively in pens, folders, binders, storage containers, and other items due to its durability and low cost. Common plastics include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• Metal: Often found in staplers, hole punchers, paper clips, binder clips, and desk accessories, typically steel or aluminum.
• Wood: Historically used for desk accessories and pencil casings; less common now but still present in some higher-end items.
• Ink/Toner: Used in pens, markers, and printers for writing and printing.
• Adhesives: Including glue sticks, tape, and correction fluids.

Purpose & Function

The core purpose of office supplies is to support administrative and organizational tasks. Functions include:

• Writing & Drawing: Pens, pencils, markers, highlighters facilitate recording information, note-taking, and creating visual representations.
• Document Management: Folders, binders, file cabinets, and labels organize and store documents.
• Printing & Copying: Printer paper, toner/ink cartridges are crucial for reproducing documents.
• Fastening & Binding: Staplers, paper clips, binder clips, tape secure documents together.
• Organization & Storage: Desk organizers, trays, storage boxes maintain a tidy workspace.
• Corrections & Editing: Correction fluids, erasers, and tape facilitate document revisions.

Usage Scenarios

Office supplies are used in a multitude of settings:

• General Office Environments: Daily tasks such as writing, filing, printing, and communicating.
• Educational Institutions: Student note-taking, assignments, and classroom administration.
• Home Offices: Supporting remote work and personal administration.
• Administrative Roles: Record keeping, data entry, and correspondence.
• Creative Workspaces: Art, design, and crafting.

Common Types

Office supplies can be broadly categorized as follows:

• Writing Instruments:
  • Pens: Ballpoint, gel, fountain, rollerball, felt-tip.
  • Pencils: Graphite, colored, mechanical.
  • Markers: Permanent, dry-erase, highlighters.
• Paper Products:
  • Printer Paper: Standard copy paper, photo paper, cardstock.
  • Notebooks: Spiral-bound, composition, legal pads.
  • File Folders: Manilla, colored, hanging folders.
• Fastening & Binding:
  • Staplers: Standard, heavy-duty, electric.
  • Paper Clips: Standard, binder clips.
  • Tape: Transparent, masking, double-sided.
• Organization & Storage:
  • Desk Organizers: Pen holders, trays, file sorters.
  • Binders: Ring binders, presentation binders.
  • File Cabinets: Vertical, lateral.
• Desk Accessories:
  • Scissors: Standard, safety.
  • Hole Punchers: Single-hole, three-hole.
  • Rulers: Straight, flexible.
  • Calculators: Basic, scientific, graphing.
• Mailing & Shipping Supplies:
  • Envelopes: Various sizes and types.
  • Post-it Notes: Various sizes and colors.
  • Shipping Boxes: Various sizes and strengths.

The term "office supplies" is broad. Based on the provided information, several HS codes may be relevant depending on the specific items included. Here's a breakdown of potentially applicable codes:

• 4911.10.0080: This code covers “Other printed matter, including printed pictures and photographs: Trade advertising material, commercial catalogs and the like”. This could apply to printed forms, brochures, or marketing materials used in an office setting. The total tax rate is 37.5%, comprised of a 0.0% base tariff and a 7.5% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025.
• 4911.99.8000: This code is for “Other printed matter, including printed pictures and photographs: Other: Other: Other: Other”. This is a broader category for printed materials not specifically classified elsewhere within 4911.10.0080, and shares the same 37.5% total tax rate (0.0% base tariff, 7.5% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025).
• 9704.00.0000: This code covers “Postage or revenue stamps, stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper) and the like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907”. If the office supplies include stamps or stamped paper, this code applies, with a total tax rate of 37.5% (0.0% base tariff, 7.5% additional tariff, increasing to 30.0% after April 2, 2025).

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'office supplies' are limited, with only the following 3 found.

It is important to note that these codes apply specifically to printed materials and stamps. Other office supplies (pens, staplers, etc.) are not covered in the provided reference material.