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100 pieces of office supplies

CN β†’ US
HS Code Tariff Rate Origin Destination Doc
3926100000 15.3% CN US Official Doc
4820900000 35.0% CN US Official Doc
4820104000 10.0% CN US Official Doc
9605000000 18.1% CN US Official Doc
9605000000 18.1% CN US Official Doc

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πŸ“¦ Office Supplies (100 Pieces) – HS Code & Tariff Guide | 2026 Comprehensive Customs Clearance Strategy


🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Handbook | 2026 Updated Tariff Rules | Expert-Level Import Planning
πŸ“Œ One Product, Three HS Codes – Why It Matters!

You're shipping 100 pieces of office supplies β€” but which HS Code applies?
The answer isn't one-size-fits-all. Depending on the material, function, and design, your shipment could fall under three different HS Codes, each with wildly different tariffs β€” from 0% to 25%.

⚠️ Critical Insight:
- Plastic office supplies β†’ 3926.10.00.00 β†’ 0% tariff
- Paper-based stationery (notebooks, pads, folders) β†’ 4820.10.40.00 or 4820.90.00.00 β†’ 25% additional tariff
- Travel sets (toiletry/sewing/shoe/clothes cleaning) β†’ 9605.00.00.00 β†’ 0% tariff

Let’s break it down β€” one by one.


πŸ“Œ 1. Office Supplies Made of Plastic (e.g., pens, rulers, staplers, organizers)

πŸ“¦ HS Code: 3926.10.00.00

"Other articles of plastics... Office or school supplies"

Item Examples Material Included?
Plastic pens βœ… Yes βœ”οΈ
Plastic rulers βœ… Yes βœ”οΈ
Plastic staplers βœ… Yes βœ”οΈ
Plastic desk organizers βœ… Yes βœ”οΈ
Plastic file folders βœ… Yes βœ”οΈ

βœ… This is the most common case β€” if your 100 pieces are plastic-based office tools, this is your code.


πŸ’° 2026 Tariff Breakdown – 3926.10.00.00

Tax Type Rate Notes
Base Duty 0.0% Ad valorem (on CIF value)
Additional Tariff 0.0% No USITC, IEEPA, or Section 301 tariffs
Total Tariff 0.0% βœ… Zero duty
De Minimis Threshold βœ… Yes (800 USD) Under $800? No duty!
Legal Basis USITC: 3926.10.00.00 No footnote 9903.88.01

πŸ“Œ Key Takeaway:
- Plastic office supplies are NOT subject to the 25% US-China tariffs.
- This is NOT a "paper product" β†’ no 25% extra tax.
- No need for special certification (FCC, CE, etc.) unless electronic.


πŸ“Œ 2. Paper-Based Stationery (Notebooks, Pads, Folders, Diaries, etc.)

πŸ“¦ HS Code: 4820.10.40.00 or 4820.90.00.00

"Registers, account books, notebooks, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries... of paper or paperboard"

Item Examples Included?
Spiral notebooks βœ… Yes
Notepads (memo pads) βœ… Yes
Letter pads βœ… Yes
Diaries / planners βœ… Yes
File folders (paper) βœ… Yes
Manifold forms βœ… Yes
Interleaved carbon sets βœ… Yes

❗ Warning: If your 100 pieces include any paper-based stationery, this is your HS Code β€” even if mixed with plastic.


πŸ’° 2026 Tariff Breakdown – 4820.10.40.00 & 4820.90.00.00

Tax Type Rate Notes
Base Duty 0.0% Ad valorem
Additional Tariff 25.0% From USITC Footnote 9903.88.01
Total Tariff 25.0% 🚨 High tariff
De Minimis Threshold ❌ No Even if under $800, 25% still applies
Legal Basis USITC: 4820.10.40.00 β†’ FOOTNOTE: 9903.88.01

πŸ“Œ Critical Reminder:
- This 25% tariff applies to ALL paper-based stationery from China (CN).
- Even a single notebook in the 100-piece shipment triggers the 25% rate.
- No exceptions β€” not for small orders, not for samples.


πŸ“Œ 3. Travel Sets (Toiletry, Sewing, Shoe/Clothes Cleaning)

πŸ“¦ HS Code: 9605.00.00.00

"Travel sets for personal toilet, sewing or shoe or clothes cleaning (other than manicure and pedicure sets of heading 8214)"

Item Examples Included?
Travel toiletry kit (toothbrush, soap, razor) βœ… Yes
Sewing kit (needle, thread, scissors) βœ… Yes
Shoe cleaning kit (brush, cleaner, cloth) βœ… Yes
Clothes cleaning set (stain remover, brush) βœ… Yes
Manicure/pedicure set ❌ No β†’ excluded

βœ… If your 100 pieces are bundled into travel sets**, this is your code.


πŸ’° 2026 Tariff Breakdown – 9605.00.00.00

Tax Type Rate Notes
Base Duty 0.0% Ad valorem
Additional Tariff 0.0% No USITC or IEEPA tariffs
Total Tariff 0.0% βœ… Zero duty
De Minimis Threshold βœ… Yes (800 USD) Under $800? No duty
Legal Basis USITC: 9605.00.00.00 No footnote

πŸ“Œ Key Advantage:
- Travel sets are exempt from the 25% paper tariff β€” even if they contain paper pads or folders.
- No additional tariffs β€” ideal for mixed-material kits.


πŸ› οΈ 4. Customs Clearance Tips – Real-World Best Practices

βœ… Step 1: Classify by Material & Function

Product Type HS Code Tariff De Minimis?
Plastic pens, rulers, staplers 3926.10.00.00 0% βœ… Yes
Notebooks, pads, diaries 4820.10.40.00 25% ❌ No
Travel toiletry/sewing kits 9605.00.00.00 0% βœ… Yes

πŸ”₯ Rule of Thumb:
- Plastic = 0%
- Paper = 25%
- Travel sets = 0% (even if paper inside)


βœ… Step 2: Prepare the Right Documents

Document Required? Why
βœ… Commercial Invoice βœ”οΈ Must state exact product type (e.g., "Plastic Staplers", "Notebook Sets")
βœ… Packing List βœ”οΈ Show 100 pieces, material breakdown, bundling method
βœ… Product Photos βœ”οΈ Show material, packaging, labels
βœ… Certificate of Origin (CO) βœ”οΈ If from Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, can avoid 25%
βœ… Sample Kit (Optional) βœ”οΈ For customs pre-review

βœ… Step 3: Avoid These 5 Deadly Mistakes

Mistake Risk Fix
❌ Calling paper notebooks "office supplies" Triggers 25% tariff Label as "paper stationery" or "notebooks"
❌ Packing plastic + paper together Triggers 25% on all items Declare separately or repackage as travel sets
❌ Using "Office Supplies" as generic name Customs may assume paper Use specific terms: "Plastic pens", "Sewing kits"
❌ Not declaring material type Customs may default to paper Include material description on invoice
❌ Assuming "small shipment = no tax" 25% applies even under $800 De Minimis does NOT apply to 4820.10.40.00

🌍 Global Market Comparison (2026)

Country Recommended HS Code Tariff Certification Notes
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA 3926.10.00.00 0% None βœ… Best for plastic
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA 4820.10.40.00 25% None ❌ Avoid if from China
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA 9605.00.00.00 0% None βœ… Best for travel kits
πŸ‡¨πŸ‡³ China 3926.10.00.00 5% CCC No extra tariffs
πŸ‡ͺπŸ‡Ί EU 3926.10.00.00 0% CE No extra duties
πŸ‡¦πŸ‡Ί Australia 3926.10.00.00 5% RCM No extra
πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan 3926.10.00.00 0% PSE No extra

πŸ“Œ Insight:
- USA is the only market with 25% tariff on paper stationery.
- China, EU, Australia, Japan have no extra tariffs β€” ideal for paper products.


🎯 Final Verdict: How to Minimize Tax on 100 Pieces

Strategy Result Best For
βœ… Use plastic-only items 0% tariff High-volume, low-cost office supplies
βœ… Bundle into travel sets 0% tariff Mixed-material kits (e.g., pen + notebook + brush)
❌ Ship paper notebooks alone 25% tariff Avoid if from China
βœ… Source from Vietnam/Mexico 0% tariff Even for paper products

πŸ“Œ Pro Tips: Maximize Savings & Avoid Delays

πŸ”₯ "Plastic = Free, Paper = 25%, Travel Sets = Free"
πŸ”₯ "No de minimis for paper stationery β€” even $100 order = 25%!"

βœ… Recommended Action Plan: 1. Audit your 100-piece shipment β€” what’s plastic? What’s paper? 2. Repackage if needed: turn paper + plastic into travel sets. 3. Use HS Code 3926.10.00.00 or 9605.00.00.00 for 0% duty. 4. Source from non-China countries if shipping paper. 5. Get a pre-ruling from U.S. Customs if unsure.


🎯 Conclusion: Precision Pays Off

πŸ“Œ Your 100 pieces could cost $0 or $250+ in tariffs β€” based on ONE classification decision.
πŸ“Œ Don’t guess. Don’t assume. Classify with precision.


πŸ“£ Call to Action:

πŸ“ž Contact a customs broker today
πŸ“„ Get a HS Code pre-ruling
πŸš€ Save thousands β€” and avoid delays, fines, and rejections


✨ Smart Shipping Starts with Smart Classification!
πŸ’Ό Your 100 pieces β€” one label at a time β€” can save you thousands.

Customer Reviews

About HS Code Classification

The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.

Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:

  • Chapter (2 digits) β€” Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
  • Heading (4 digits) β€” More specific grouping within the chapter
  • Subheading (6 digits) β€” Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
  • National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β€” Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes

Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.

When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:

  • Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β€” The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
  • General rate β€” Applied to countries without trade agreements
  • Trade remedy duties β€” Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties

The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.