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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AI Analysis
π¦ Office Supplies (100 Pieces) β HS Code & Tariff Guide | 2026 Comprehensive Customs Clearance Strategy
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Handbook | 2026 Updated Tariff Rules | Expert-Level Import Planning
π One Product, Three HS Codes β 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%.
β οΈ Critical Insight:
- Plastic office supplies β3926.10.00.00β 0% tariff
- Paper-based stationery (notebooks, pads, folders) β4820.10.40.00or4820.90.00.00β 25% additional tariff
- Travel sets (toiletry/sewing/shoe/clothes cleaning) β9605.00.00.00β 0% tariff
Letβs break it down β one by one.
π 1. Office Supplies Made of Plastic (e.g., pens, rulers, staplers, organizers)
π¦ HS Code: 3926.10.00.00
"Other articles of plastics... Office or school supplies"
| Item Examples | Material | Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic pens | β Yes | βοΈ |
| Plastic rulers | β Yes | βοΈ |
| Plastic staplers | β Yes | βοΈ |
| Plastic desk organizers | β Yes | βοΈ |
| Plastic file folders | β Yes | βοΈ |
β This is the most common case β if your 100 pieces are plastic-based office tools, this is your code.
π° 2026 Tariff Breakdown β 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% | β Zero duty |
| De Minimis Threshold | β Yes (800 USD) | Under $800? No duty! |
| Legal Basis | USITC: 3926.10.00.00 |
No footnote 9903.88.01 |
π 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.
π 2. Paper-Based Stationery (Notebooks, Pads, Folders, Diaries, etc.)
π¦ 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 | β Yes |
| Notepads (memo pads) | β Yes |
| Letter pads | β Yes |
| Diaries / planners | β Yes |
| File folders (paper) | β Yes |
| Manifold forms | β Yes |
| Interleaved carbon sets | β Yes |
β Warning: If your 100 pieces include any paper-based stationery, this is your HS Code β even if mixed with plastic.
π° 2026 Tariff Breakdown β 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% | π¨ High tariff |
| De Minimis Threshold | β No | Even if under $800, 25% still applies |
| Legal Basis | USITC: 4820.10.40.00 β FOOTNOTE: 9903.88.01 |
π 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.
π 3. Travel Sets (Toiletry, Sewing, Shoe/Clothes Cleaning)
π¦ 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) | β Yes |
| Sewing kit (needle, thread, scissors) | β Yes |
| Shoe cleaning kit (brush, cleaner, cloth) | β Yes |
| Clothes cleaning set (stain remover, brush) | β Yes |
| Manicure/pedicure set | β No β excluded |
β If your 100 pieces are bundled into travel sets**, this is your code.
π° 2026 Tariff Breakdown β 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% | β Zero duty |
| De Minimis Threshold | β Yes (800 USD) | Under $800? No duty |
| Legal Basis | USITC: 9605.00.00.00 |
No footnote |
π 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.
π οΈ 4. Customs Clearance Tips β Real-World Best Practices
β Step 1: Classify by Material & Function
| Product Type | HS Code | Tariff | De Minimis? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic pens, rulers, staplers | 3926.10.00.00 |
0% | β Yes |
| Notebooks, pads, diaries | 4820.10.40.00 |
25% | β No |
| Travel toiletry/sewing kits | 9605.00.00.00 |
0% | β Yes |
π₯ Rule of Thumb:
- Plastic = 0%
- Paper = 25%
- Travel sets = 0% (even if paper inside)
β Step 2: Prepare the Right Documents
| Document | Required? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Must state exact product type (e.g., "Plastic Staplers", "Notebook Sets") |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Show 100 pieces, material breakdown, bundling method |
| β Product Photos | βοΈ | Show material, packaging, labels |
| β Certificate of Origin (CO) | βοΈ | If from Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, can avoid 25% |
| β Sample Kit (Optional) | βοΈ | For customs pre-review |
β Step 3: Avoid These 5 Deadly Mistakes
| Mistake | Risk | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| β Calling paper notebooks "office supplies" | Triggers 25% tariff | Label as "paper stationery" or "notebooks" |
| β Packing plastic + paper together | Triggers 25% on all items | Declare separately or repackage as travel sets |
| β Using "Office Supplies" as generic name | Customs may assume paper | Use specific terms: "Plastic pens", "Sewing kits" |
| β Not declaring material type | Customs may default to paper | Include material description on invoice |
| β Assuming "small shipment = no tax" | 25% applies even under $800 | De Minimis does NOT apply to 4820.10.40.00 |
π Global Market Comparison (2026)
| Country | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 3926.10.00.00 |
0% | None | β Best for plastic |
| πΊπΈ USA | 4820.10.40.00 |
25% | None | β Avoid if from China |
| πΊπΈ USA | 9605.00.00.00 |
0% | None | β Best for travel kits |
| π¨π³ China | 3926.10.00.00 |
5% | CCC | No extra tariffs |
| πͺπΊ EU | 3926.10.00.00 |
0% | CE | No extra duties |
| π¦πΊ Australia | 3926.10.00.00 |
5% | RCM | No extra |
| π―π΅ Japan | 3926.10.00.00 |
0% | PSE | No extra |
π 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.
π― Final Verdict: How to Minimize Tax on 100 Pieces
| Strategy | Result | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| β Use plastic-only items | 0% tariff | High-volume, low-cost office supplies |
| β Bundle into travel sets | 0% tariff | Mixed-material kits (e.g., pen + notebook + brush) |
| β Ship paper notebooks alone | 25% tariff | Avoid if from China |
| β Source from Vietnam/Mexico | 0% tariff | Even for paper products |
π Pro Tips: Maximize Savings & Avoid Delays
π₯ "Plastic = Free, Paper = 25%, Travel Sets = Free"
π₯ "No de minimis for paper stationery β even $100 order = 25%!"
β
Recommended Action Plan:
1. Audit your 100-piece shipment β whatβs plastic? Whatβs 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.
π― Conclusion: Precision Pays Off
π Your 100 pieces could cost $0 or $250+ in tariffs β based on ONE classification decision.
π Donβt guess. Donβt assume. Classify with precision.
π£ Call to Action:
π Contact a customs broker today
π Get a HS Code pre-ruling
π Save thousands β and avoid delays, fines, and rejections
β¨ Smart Shipping Starts with Smart Classification!
πΌ 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.