Find HS Code and trade information for photo storage box

Photo Storage Box

A photo storage box is a container designed for the preservation and organization of photographic prints, negatives, and related memorabilia. These boxes aim to protect photos from physical damage, dust, light, and humidity, extending their lifespan.

Materials

Photo storage boxes are constructed from a variety of materials, each offering different levels of protection and preservation qualities:

• Archival Cardboard: Acid-free, lignin-free cardboard is a common and affordable option. It provides good protection against dust and light but offers limited protection against humidity or physical impact. Often buffered to neutralize acids.
• Plastic: Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are frequently used plastics. These materials are inert, resist moisture, and provide physical protection. Look for boxes specifically labeled "archival" or "photo-safe" to ensure they don't contain harmful chemicals.
• Metal: Steel boxes, often with powder-coating, offer the highest level of physical protection and are resistant to pests and fire. They are typically more expensive.
• Wood: While aesthetically pleasing, wood is less common due to its susceptibility to pests, humidity, and potential off-gassing of chemicals. If used, it should be sealed and lined with archival materials.

Purpose

The primary purpose of a photo storage box is long-term preservation. Secondary purposes include:

• Organization: Boxes facilitate sorting photos by date, event, or subject.
• Accessibility: Providing a convenient location for viewing and sharing photos.
• Protection from Damage: Shielding photos from scratches, tears, fading, and environmental factors.

Function

Photo storage boxes function by creating a stable and protective environment for photos. Key functions include:

• Light Blocking: Preventing UV and visible light exposure, which causes fading. Opaque boxes or those with light-absorbing linings are preferred.
• Dust Exclusion: Sealed boxes or those with tight-fitting lids prevent dust accumulation, which can scratch photos and affect their quality.
• Humidity Control: Some boxes include desiccants or are constructed from moisture-resistant materials to prevent mold and mildew growth.
• Physical Protection: Protecting photos from crushing, bending, and tearing.

Usage Scenarios

• Family Archives: Storing generations of family photos.
• Professional Photography: Archiving client work for long-term retention.
• Scrapbooking/Memory Keeping: Preserving finished scrapbooks and related photos.
• Historical Preservation: Safeguarding valuable historical photographs.
• Personal Collections: Organizing and protecting personal photo collections.

Common Types

• Basic Cardboard Boxes: Affordable, lightweight, and suitable for general storage. Often feature pre-cut dividers.
• Plastic Storage Boxes: Durable, moisture-resistant, and available in various sizes and configurations. May include stacking features.
• Archival Boxes with Dividers: Designed specifically for photo preservation, featuring acid-free materials and dividers for organization.
• Metal Storage Boxes: Robust, fire-resistant, and ideal for high-value collections.
• Portfolio Boxes: Larger boxes designed to hold photo portfolios or large prints.
• Drop-Box Style Boxes: Boxes with a lid that drops down, providing easy access to photos.
• Acid-Free Sleeves/Envelopes Included Boxes: Boxes that come with individual sleeves or envelopes for each photograph, providing extra protection.

Photo storage boxes can be categorized based on their material composition and specific function. The following HS codes are relevant based on the provided information:

• 4819600000: This HS code covers cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibers; box files, letter trays and similar articles, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like. Specifically, it includes box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles used in offices or shops. This would apply to photo storage boxes made of paper or cardboard.

  • 48: Chapter 48 relates to paper or paperboard.
  • 19: Heading 4819 covers cartons, boxes, cases, bags, etc., of paper or paperboard.
  • 600000: Subheading 4819600000 specifically covers box files, letter trays, storage boxes, and similar articles.

• 3926904800: This HS code covers other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914; other: photo albums. While specifically mentioning photo albums, this code could potentially apply to plastic photo storage boxes if they are designed in a similar manner to albums (e.g., with dividers or sleeves).

  • 39: Chapter 39 relates to plastics and articles thereof.
  • 26: Heading 3926 covers other articles of plastics.
  • 904800: Subheading 3926904800 specifically covers photo albums.

• 4202929400: This HS code covers trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, attache cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; traveling bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toiletry bags, knapsacks and backpacks, handbags, shopping bags, wallets, purses, map cases, cigarette cases, tobacco pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle cases, jewelry boxes, powder cases, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanized fiber or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper: Other: With outer surface of sheeting of plastics or of textile materials: Other: Cases designed to protect and transport compact disks (CD's), CD Rom disks, CD players, cassette players, and/or cassettes. This code could apply if the photo storage box is designed as a protective case, particularly if it has a textile or plastic outer surface.

  • 42: Chapter 42 relates to articles of leather.
  • 02: Heading 4202 covers trunks, suitcases, etc.
  • 929400: Subheading 4202929400 specifically covers cases designed to protect and transport CDs, CD Rom disks, CD players, and cassettes.

• 3926909989: This HS code covers other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of headings 3901 to 3914; other: other. This is a general category for plastic articles and could apply if the photo storage box doesn't fall into any more specific categories.

  • 39: Chapter 39 relates to plastics and articles thereof.
  • 26: Heading 3926 covers other articles of plastics.
  • 909989: Subheading 3926909989 is a general "other" category within other plastic articles.

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'photo storage box' are limited, with only the above 4 found.