Trading Cards
CN → US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9504400000 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9504906000 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9705100090 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 9705390040 | 17.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4911998000 | 17.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4911914040 | 17.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
Product Images
AI Analysis
🃏 Trading Cards (Collectible Card Games & Related Items)
🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Updated Tariff Analysis | Professional Import Strategy
📌 One, Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly Are "Trading Cards"?
Trading cards are collectible, game-based cards used in competitive or casual play, often featuring characters, artwork, stats, and unique abilities. They are typically sold in packs, booster boxes, or as individual cards, and are central to popular games like Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, and Hearthstone (digital/physical hybrids).
In international trade, they are not classified as general playing cards (which fall under 9504.40.00.00), but rather as collectible game items with cultural, artistic, and speculative value.
⚠️ Key Distinction:
- If the card is part of a structured game system (e.g., Pokémon TCG) → 9504.90.60.00
- If it's a purely collectible item, not used in gameplay → 9705.39.00.40 (numismatic interest)
- If it's printed artwork (e.g., limited edition art cards) → 4911.91.40.40 or 4911.99.80.00
📦 Two, HS Code Classification Details (2026 Official Tariff Match)
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Use Case | Tax Status |
|---|---|---|---|
9504.40.00.00 |
Video game consoles and machines, table or parlor games, including pinball machines, billiards, special tables for casino games and automatic bowling equipment, amusement machines operated by coins, banknotes, bank cards, tokens or by any other means of payment: Playing cards | Standard playing cards, not collectible, not game-specific | ✅ 0% duty |
9504.90.60.00 |
Other: Other: Other: Chess, checkers, parchisi, backgammon, darts and other games played on boards of a special design, all the foregoing games and parts there of (including their boards); mah-jong and dominoes; any of the foregoing games in combination with each other, or with other games, packaged together as a unit in immediate containers of a type used in retail sales; poker chips and dice | Trading card games (TCGs), including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, etc., in retail packaging | ✅ 0% duty |
4911.99.80.00 |
Other printed matter, including printed pictures and photographs: Other: Other: Other: Other | Printed cards not part of a game system, e.g., art cards, promotional cards, non-game collectibles, or cards printed after 20 years | ❌ 7.5% duty |
4911.91.40.40 |
Other printed matter: Pictures, designs and photographs: Printed not over 20 years at time of importation: Other: Other | Newly printed collectible cards (≤20 years old), if not part of a game system | ❌ 7.5% duty |
9705.10.00.90 |
Collections and collectors’ pieces of archaeological, ethnographic, historical, zoological, botanical, mineralogical, anatomical, paleontological or numismatic interest: Collections and collectors’ pieces of archaeological, ethnographic or historical interest Other | Historical or rare cards with provenance (e.g., 19th-century card sets, museum-grade items) | ✅ 0% duty |
9705.39.00.40 |
Collections and collectors’ pieces of numismatic interest: Of an age exceeding 100 years Other: Other | Cards over 100 years old, even if not currency, e.g., vintage trading cards from early 20th century | ❌ 7.5% duty |
🔍 Critical Insight:
- Trading cards used in games (e.g., Pokémon, Magic) → 9504.90.60.00 → 0% duty
- Cards sold as art or collectibles, not for gameplay → 4911.91.40.40 or 4911.99.80.00 → 7.5% duty
- Vintage cards (>100 years old) → 9705.39.00.40 → 7.5% duty (despite age)
💰 Three, 2026 Updated Tariff Breakdown (With Add-Ons & Legal Basis)
✅ Target Market: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN), Vietnam (VN), Mexico (MX), India (IN)
✅ Effective Date: January 1, 2026 (updated tariff schedule)
🎯 1. 9504.90.60.00 — Trading Card Games (e.g., Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 0.0% (ad valorem) |
| Additional Duty | 0.0% |
| Total Duty | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 0% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ✅ Yes (5% de minimis applies) |
| Legal Basis | USHTS 9504.90.60.00 – “Other games and parts thereof” |
| Special Note | Applies only if cards are part of a game system and sold in retail packaging (e.g., booster packs, starter decks) |
📌 Explanation:
- This is not a collectible; it's a game component.
- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recognizes TCGs as board games, not art or collectibles.
- No additional tariffs (e.g., Section 301, IEEPA) apply to this code.
🎯 2. 4911.91.40.40 — Printed Cards Not Over 20 Years Old (Non-Game Use)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 0.0% |
| Additional Duty | 7.5% (from Section 321 of the U.S. Tariff Act) |
| Total Duty | 7.5% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 7.5% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ❌ No (7.5% is above de minimis) |
| Legal Basis | USHTS 4911.91.40.40 – “Printed not over 20 years at time of importation” |
| Special Note | Applies to art cards, promotional cards, or cards not used in gameplay |
📌 Explanation:
- If the card is not part of a game system, even if it’s a Pokémon card, and is sold as art or collectible, it falls under printed matter.
- 7.5% tariff applies even if the card is new (≤20 years old).
- No de minimis relief → must pay full duty.
🎯 3. 4911.99.80.00 — Other Printed Matter (Unclassified Cards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 0.0% |
| Additional Duty | 7.5% |
| Total Duty | 7.5% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 7.5% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ❌ No |
| Legal Basis | USHTS 4911.99.80.00 – “Other printed matter” |
| Special Note | Used for cards not covered by specific subheadings, e.g., custom-printed cards, non-game cards, or cards with no clear purpose |
📌 Explanation:
- This is a catch-all code for non-game, non-art cards.
- Often used for bulk promotional cards, custom-designed cards, or cards with no gameplay function.
🎯 4. 9705.39.00.40 — Numismatic Interest (Cards Over 100 Years Old)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Duty | 0.0% |
| Additional Duty | 7.5% |
| Total Duty | 7.5% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 7.5% |
| De Minimis Threshold | ❌ No |
| Legal Basis | USHTS 9705.39.00.40 – “Of an age exceeding 100 years” |
| Special Note | Applies to vintage cards from early 1900s or earlier, even if not currency |
📌 Explanation:
- Even if the card is over 100 years old, it’s still subject to 7.5% duty if it’s not considered historical/antique under archaeological/historical interest.
- Must provide provenance (e.g., auction records, expert certification) to claim exemption.
🛠️ Four, Customs Clearance Best Practices (Pro Tips to Avoid Penalties)
✅ 1. Required Documentation (Must-Have List)
| Document | Required? | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Commercial Invoice | ✔️ | Must clearly state: “Trading Card Game – Pokémon TCG, Booster Pack, 10 cards per pack” |
| ✅ Product Photos | ✔️ | Show packaging, card designs, game logo |
| ✅ Certificate of Origin (CO) | ✔️ | For duty rate eligibility (e.g., Vietnam, Mexico qualify for lower tariffs) |
| ✅ Packing List | ✔️ | Show number of packs, cards per pack, total units |
| ✅ Game Rules or Instructions | ✔️ | Prove it’s a game, not art |
| ✅ Third-Party Certification (e.g., CGC, PSA) | ✔️ | If selling as collectibles, prove authenticity |
| ✅ Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 7501) | ✔️ | Must be accurate and consistent |
✅ 2.申报技巧（Critical Tips）
🔥 “Game vs. Art: The 7.5% Line”
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Wrong Code | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon booster pack (used in gameplay) | 9504.90.60.00 |
4911.91.40.40 |
7.5% extra duty |
| Limited-edition art card (no gameplay) | 4911.91.40.40 |
9504.90.60.00 |
Risk of seizure, penalties |
| Vintage 1910 baseball card (not game) | 9705.39.00.40 |
4911.99.80.00 |
7.5% duty |
| Custom-designed card for event | 4911.99.80.00 |
9504.90.60.00 |
Incorrect classification |
✅ 3. Special Cases & Solutions
| Case | Solution |
|---|---|
| Card sold as art | Use 4911.91.40.40 or 4911.99.80.00 → 7.5% duty |
| Vintage card (>100 years) | Use 9705.39.00.40 → 7.5% duty |
| Cards with no game function | Use 4911.99.80.00 → 7.5% duty |
| Bulk imports of game cards | Use 9504.90.60.00 → 0% duty |
| Custom cards for events | Use 4911.99.80.00 → 7.5% duty |
🌍 Five, Global Customs Comparison (2026)
| Country | Recommended HS Code | Duty | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 9504.90.60.00 |
0% (game) / 7.5% (art) | None (unless collectible) | De minimis: 5% |
| 🇨🇳 China | 9504.90.60.00 |
5% | CCC, RoHS | No additional tariffs |
| 🇪🇺 EU | 9504.90.60.00 |
0% (if CE) | CE, RoHS | No extra duty |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 9504.90.60.00 |
5% | RCM | No extra duty |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 9504.90.60.00 |
0% | PSE | No extra duty |
📌 Conclusion:
- USA is the only market with 7.5% duty on non-game cards
- China, EU, Australia, Japan treat trading cards as games → 0% or low duty
📌 Six, Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
❌ Mistake 1: Declaring game cards as art cards
👉 Result: 7.5% duty + potential seizure
👉 Fix: Use 9504.90.60.00 for game cards
❌ Mistake 2: Not providing game rules or packaging proof
👉 Result: CBP may classify as "printed matter" → 7.5% duty
👉 Fix: Include game rules, instructions, or box design
❌ Mistake 3: Selling vintage cards without provenance
👉 Result: Classified as 4911.99.80.00 → 7.5% duty
👉 Fix: Get expert certification (e.g., PSA, CGC)
❌ Mistake 4: Using "playing cards" as description
👉 Result: Misclassified as 9504.40.00.00 → 0% duty, but wrong
👉 Fix: Use "Trading Card Game – Pokémon TCG" in invoice
🎯 Seven, Final Verdict: Precision Pays Off!
🎯 Remember the Golden Rule:
🔹 "If it’s a game, use
9504.90.60.00– 0% duty!"
🔹 "If it’s art, use4911.91.40.40– 7.5% duty!"
🔹 "If it’s old, use9705.39.00.40– 7.5% duty!"
📌 Pro Tip:
If your cards are from Vietnam, Mexico, or Thailand, you may qualify for lower tariffs under trade agreements (e.g., USMCA, CPTPP).
✅ Apply for Advance Ruling (Pre-Approval) to lock in HS Code and duty rate.
📣 Take Action Now:
📞 Contact a licensed customs broker
📸 Provide product photos, packaging, and game rules
🚀 Get HS Code pre-approval – avoid delays, fines, and overpayment!
✨ Smart Importing Starts with Smart Classification!
💼 Your card’s value is in the game – not the tax!
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) — Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) — More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) — Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) — 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 — The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate — Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties — 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.