white card photo frame
CN → USProduct Images
AI Analysis
🖼️ White Card Photo Frame (White Card Photo Frame)
🌐 HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Clearance Strategy
📌 I. Product Definition & Classification: Do You Truly Understand a "White Card Photo Frame"?
A White Card Photo Frame is a decorative item used to hold and display photographs or small artworks. In international trade, its classification depends entirely on the material of the frame and whether it constitutes a "finished good" or a "part/accessory."
Key Distinction: * Cardboard/Paper-based Frames: Made primarily of paper, pulp, or cardboard. Often single-layer or laminated. * Wood/Plastic/Metal-based Frames: Even if the face is white card or paper, the structural frame is wood, plastic, or metal.
⚠️ Critical Classification Point:
- If the frame is made of paper/cardboard (e.g., decorative paper frames) → Chapter 49 (Printed Matter) or Chapter 48 (Paper Products)
- If the frame is made of wood (even with paper facing) → Chapter 44 (Wood Products)
- If the frame is made of plastic → Chapter 39 (Plastics)
- If the frame is made of metal → Chapter 73 (Iron/Steel) or Chapter 76 (Aluminum)📌 Note: The term "White Card" in the product name usually refers to the matting material or the backing, not necessarily the frame structure. However, if the entire frame is constructed from paper/cardboard (common in inexpensive gift items), it falls under paper products. If it is a rigid wooden frame with a white card mat, it is a wooden product.
📦 II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)
| HS Code | Product Description | Application Scenario | Material Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
4911.91.00.00 |
Other printed matter (including photographs) | Decorative paper frames, single-layer cardboard frames, paper-based photo holders | ✅ Paper/Cardboard |
4823.90.91.00 |
Other plates, sheets, film, foil, strip, of paper pulp, paper, paperboard | Bulk paper frames, unmounted paper mats | ✅ Paper |
4414.00.91.00 |
Wooden frames of a kind used for painting, photography, mirrors or similar | Most Common: Wooden frames with white card mat/paper backing | ✅ Wood |
3926.90.90.90 |
Other articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading 3901 to 3914 | Plastic frames (white PVC or acrylic) with card backing | ✅ Plastic |
7326.90.98.90 |
Other articles of iron or steel | Metal wire frames, metal brackets with paper backing | ✅ Metal |
9615.19.00.00 |
Combs, hair-slides and the like (if small decorative clips) | Small decorative clips holding cards (less common for "frames") | ❌ N/A |
🔍 Key Reminder:
- Most "White Card Photo Frames" sold in retail are wooden frames with a white card mat. These should be classified under4414.00.91.00.
- If the product is a flat, folded cardboard structure (like a greeting card frame), it falls under4911.91.00.00.
- Do not classify a wooden frame as "paper" just because it has a paper mat. The primary material of the structure determines the HS Code.
💰 III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Details (Including Additional Duties & Policy Add-ons)
✅ Applicable Country: United States (US)
✅ Origin: China (CN)
✅ Effective Date: November 10, 2025 (and subsequent imports)
🎯 1. 4414.00.91.00 —— Wooden Photo Frames (Wooden Frames of a Kind Used for Painting, Photography, Mirrors)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 0% (ad valorem) |
| USITC Additional Duty | +25% (from USITC Footnote 9903.44.01) |
| IEEPA Additional Duty | +10% (for China/HK products, effective from Nov 10, 2025) |
| Total Rate | 45% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 45% |
| De Minimis Exemption | ❌ Not Available (deny_de_minimis) |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 → IEEPA:9903.01.24 → USITC:4414.00.91.00 → FOOTNOTE:9903.44.01 |
📌 Explanation:
- Wooden frames are explicitly listed in Section III of the USITC Footnotes under Chapter 44.
- The 45% total rate is extremely high and applies to all wooden frames regardless of finish (white, natural, etc.).
- This is a critical cost factor for wooden photo frame exporters.
🎯 2. 4911.91.00.00 —— Other Printed Matter (Paper/Cardboard Frames)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 7.5% |
| USITC Additional Duty | +25% (from USITC Footnote 9903.49.01) |
| IEEPA Additional Duty | +10% (for China/HK products, effective from Nov 10, 2025) |
| Total Rate | 42.5% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 42.5% |
| De Minimis Exemption | ❌ Not Available (deny_de_minimis) |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 → IEEPA:9903.01.24 → USITC:4911.91.00.00 → FOOTNOTE:9903.49.01 |
📌 Note:
- If the frame is entirely paper/cardboard (e.g., origami-style or folded card), it falls here.
- The rate is slightly lower than wooden frames (42.5% vs 45%) but still prohibitively high.
- Do not misdeclare wooden frames as paper to avoid detection. CBP uses material testing.
🎯 3. 3926.90.90.90 —— Plastic Photo Frames
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 5.7% |
| USITC Additional Duty | +7.5% (from USITC Footnote 9903.39.01) |
| IEEPA Additional Duty | +10% (for China/HK products, effective from Nov 10, 2025) |
| Total Rate | 23.2% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value × 23.2% |
| De Minimis Exemption | ❌ Not Available (deny_de_minimis) |
| Legal Basis Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 → IEEPA:9903.01.24 → USITC:3926.90.90.90 → FOOTNOTE:9903.39.01 |
📌 Note:
- Plastic frames have a lower total tariff (23.2%) compared to wood or paper.
- Consider switching to plastic or acrylic frames for US market to reduce duty burden.
🛠️ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (实战避坑指南)
✅ 1. Required Documentation Checklist (Missing Items Cannot Clear)
| Document | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ Product Specification Sheet | ✔️ | Material composition (e.g., "Wooden frame with paper mat") |
| ✅ Material Composition Statement | ✔️ | Explicitly state: "Frame: Wood; Mat: Paper; Glass: Acrylic" |
| ✅ Product Photos (Including Back) | ✔️ | Show construction, hanging wire, glass/acrylic face |
| ✅ Commercial Invoice | ✔️ | Describe as "Wooden Photo Frame, White Card Mat" |
| ✅ Packing List | ✔️ | Include dimensions, weight, quantity |
| ✅ FCC/CE Certification (if applicable) | ✔️ | Not usually required for frames, but helpful for electronic frames |
✅ 2. Declaration Tips (Key Mantras)
🔥 "Material Determines Code, Not Color!"
"Wood Frame = 4414, Paper Frame = 4911, Plastic = 3926"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Wrong Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Wooden frame with white card mat | 4414.00.91.00 |
Declare as "Paper Frame" → Fraud Risk |
| Entirely cardboard folded frame | 4911.91.00.00 |
Declare as "Wooden Frame" → Higher Duty |
| Plastic frame with white backing | 3926.90.90.90 |
Declare as "Wooden Frame" → Higher Duty |
| Mixed material frame (e.g., metal bracket + wood) | Primary material rule | Split declaration → Complex Audit |
✅ 3. Special Case Handling
| Scenario | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| OEM Custom Frames | Provide design drawings to prove material structure |
| Frames with Glass vs Acrylic | Acrylic is common for safety; declare correctly as "Acrylic Sheet" if separate |
| Frames with LED Lighting | If electronic, may fall under 9405 (Lamps); higher complexity |
| Gift Sets (Frame + Photo) | If sold together, declare as "Set"; HS Code determined by essential character |
🌍 V. Global Market Clearance Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification Requirements | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 4414.00.91.00 |
45% (Wood) | None usually | High duty due to Section 301 + IEEPA |
| 🇨🇳 China | 4414.00.91.00 |
5% | CCC (if applicable) | Low duty |
| 🇪🇺 EU | 4414.00.00 |
0% | CE (if electronic) | No anti-dumping |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 4414.00.91.00 |
5% | None | Low duty |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 4414.00.00 |
4% | JIS (if wood) | Low duty |
📌 Conclusion:
- USA is the most expensive market for wooden photo frames due to combined 45% duty.
- Plastic frames (3926.90.90.90) are a strategic alternative for US export (23.2% duty).
- Paper frames (4911.91.00.00) are also costly (42.5%).
📌 VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)
❌ Mistake 1: Declaring a wooden frame as a "paper frame" to avoid 25% USITC duty
👉 Consequence: CBP material testing reveals wood → Penalty + Back Duties + Seizure
❌ Mistake 2: Not specifying "White Card Mat" in description
👉 Consequence: Customs may classify as "Mirror" (9013.90.80.00) or "Furniture" (9403.20.00.00) → Different duty rates & audit flags
❌ Mistake 3: Assuming de minimis applies for small frames
👉 Consequence: Denied. Photo frames are explicitly excluded from de minimis under IEEPA/Section 301.
❌ Mistake 4: Using "Decorative Item" as HS Code description
👉 Consequence: Rejection. Must use specific material-based HS Code.
✅ Correct Approach:
"Wooden Photo Frame, White Card Mat, Acrylic Face, 5x7 Inch, For Wall Display, Model XYZ"
🎯 VII. Conclusion: Professional Declaration, Save Time & Cost
🎯 Remember Mantra:
🔹 "Wood is 4414 (45%!), Paper is 4911 (42.5%), Plastic is 3926 (23.2%)"
🔹 "Declare Material, Not Appearance. Fraud Costs More Than Duty."
📌 Tip:
If your product is originally from Vietnam, Mexico, or Thailand, you may qualify for IEEPA Exemption, reducing the duty to 0%-5%.
It is highly recommended to apply for Advance Ruling with US CBP before shipment.
📣 Immediate Action:
📞 Contact a professional customs broker + Provide material specs + Apply for HS Code Advance Ruling
🚀 Let your photo frames clear customs smoothly, maximize profit, and succeed globally!
✨ Professional clearance starts with precise classification!
💼 Every cent of your cost deserves precise calculation!
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.