Find HS Code and trade information for wooden seal

Wooden Seal

A wooden seal, also known as a chop, is a personal or organizational stamp used primarily in East Asian cultures, particularly in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. It is a significant tool used for signatures, authentication, and marking documents, artwork, and other objects.

Material

Traditionally, wooden seals are crafted from various types of wood, with choices impacting durability, detail retention, and aesthetic qualities. Common woods include:

• Red sandalwood (Hongmu): Highly prized for its rich color, fine texture, and longevity. Often used for official or important seals.
• Boxwood (Huangyangmu): A common and affordable choice, known for its ease of carving and smooth finish.
• Peach wood (Taomu): Considered auspicious and often used for personal seals.
• Other hardwoods: Ebony, rosewood, and other dense woods are also employed.

Purpose

The primary functions of a wooden seal include:

• Signature: Seals serve as a legally binding signature, equivalent to a handwritten signature in Western cultures.
• Authentication: Used to verify the authenticity of documents, artwork, and official decrees.
• Authorization: Indicates approval or acceptance of a document or action.
• Marking: Used to identify ownership or origin of an object.
• Artistic Expression: Seals are often incorporated into calligraphy and painting as an integral part of the artwork.

Function

A wooden seal functions by pressing the carved design onto a surface using ink, typically red ink (cinnabar-based). The design is typically a reverse impression of characters or a symbol. The quality of the seal depends on the precision of the carving, the type of ink used, and the pressure applied.

Usage Scenarios

• Official Documents: Government decrees, contracts, and legal papers.
• Artwork: Calligraphy, paintings, and sculptures.
• Personal Correspondence: Letters and notes.
• Business Transactions: Contracts, invoices, and receipts.
• Collection & Antiquities: Marking ownership of valuable items.
• Packaging: Sealing important packages or gifts.

Common Types

• Square Seals (Fangzhuan): Traditionally used for official documents and legal purposes. Characters are arranged vertically and horizontally.
• Round Seals (Zhouchuan): Used for personal identification and authorization. Typically feature the owner's name and a motto.
• Personal Seals (Mingzhuan): Smaller seals used for personal correspondence and artwork.
• Leisure Seals (Xiyin): Used for hobbyists and collectors, often featuring artistic designs.
• Button Seals (Zhuwen): Small seals used for sealing letters or packages.
• Cloisonné Seals: Seals with intricate enamel work.

Based on the material, use, and application, a wooden seal typically falls under articles of wood. Here are the relevant HS codes based on the provided information:

• 4421918800: This HS code covers “Other articles of wood: Other: Of bamboo: Canoe paddles”. While specifically mentioning canoe paddles, this code indicates a category for other wood articles made of bamboo.
  • 44: Chapter 44 relates to wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal.
  • 21: Heading 4421 covers articles of wood parquets of wood, floor boards, and other wood flooring.
  • 91: Subheading 442191 covers other articles of wood.
  • 88: Further specifies “Of bamboo”.
• 4421998800: This HS code covers “Other articles of wood: Other: Other: Canoe paddles”. This code represents other wood articles not specifically classified elsewhere within the 4421 heading.
  • 44: Chapter 44 relates to wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal.
  • 21: Heading 4421 covers articles of wood parquets of wood, floor boards, and other wood flooring.
  • 99: Subheading 442199 covers other articles of wood.
  • 88: Further specifies “Other”.

According to the provided reference material, the HS code options related to 'wooden seal' are limited, with only the following 2 found.

Please note that both HS codes 4421918800 and 4421998800 have a total tax rate of 30.0% as of 2025.4.2, with a base tariff of 0.0% and an additional tariff. HS code 4421998800 has an additional tariff of 7.5% before 2025.4.2.