HS Tariff Codes for Comic Books

[ddesabrais]

Hi, with the Canada Post Strike, I'm looking at using UPS Standard available through Ebay as an alternative. 

As I'm filling out the shipping form however, it's looking for the HS Tariff Code. I tried using the lookup, but I can't find a match for Comic Books. 

I know people have used the service, but has anyone shipped comics this way? If so, do you know the code that I should use?

Thanks, 

Dave

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@ddesabrais wrote:

Hi, with the Canada Post Strike, I'm looking at using UPS Standard available through Ebay as an alternative. 

As I'm filling out the shipping form however, it's looking for the HS Tariff Code. I tried using the lookup, but I can't find a match for Comic Books. 

I know people have used the service, but has anyone shipped comics this way? If so, do you know the code that I should use?

Thanks, 

Dave

---

@ddesabrais 

You can use:

Printed matter: 4907.00

AS a side you should be doing also filling in when you using Canada Post. Reduces chance of delays during processing.

-Lotz

[ddesabrais]

Thanks for the quick reply. Very much appreciated. 

But when I look up 4907.00 i get the following definition:

Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognized face value; stamp-impressed paper; banknotes; check forms; stock, share or bond certificates and similar documents of title

Would it be 4902? Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material:

Thanks again

Dave

[regs43]

As per google AI search 4901.99

The HS code for printed books, brochures, leaflets, and similar printed matter, including comic books, is 4901.9

I would double check though 🙂

[reallynicestamps · Accepted solution]

I have books (I lump text and graphic books together) as 4901.99

And postage as 4907.0010

and philatelic material as 9704.00

I looked these up over a year ago and have them recorded in the back of my daybook.

[ddesabrais]

Thanks everyone! Very much appreciated!

Dave

[flipistics]

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@ddesabrais wrote:

Would it be 4902? Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material:

Thanks again

Dave

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If it is a periodical comic, I think it would be 4902.90
I suspect something more along the lines of a single comic book (think something like a Garfield) or a graphic novel might fit as 4901.99

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@ddesabrais 

Like condition, HS codes can be subjective. 

Reverse look up of 4907.00 brings up printed matter. 

49 - CHAPTER 49 - PRINTED BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS, PICTURES AND OTHER PRODUCTS OF THE PRINTING INDUSTRY; MANUSCRIPTS, TYPESCRIPTS AND PLANS

Probably not in as much play now but older comics used to be jam packed with advertising. Many items could fall under potentially 1 of several HS codes and any would be acceptable.

Secondary site:  https://www.tariffinder.ca/en/getStarted

[pop-art]

I believe the correct code is: 4902.90

"HS code 4902.90 refers to newspapers, journals, and periodicals that appear less frequently than four times a week. It includes those that are illustrated or contain advertising material. This category excludes publications appearing at least four times a week, which fall under a different HS code"

[marnotom!]

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@pop-art wrote:

I believe the correct code is: 4902.90

"HS code 4902.90 refers to newspapers, journals, and periodicals that appear less frequently than four times a week. It includes those that are illustrated or contain advertising material. This category excludes publications appearing at least four times a week, which fall under a different HS code"

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Okay, but the question was asked almost nine months ago.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

@pop-art 

Specifically, 4901.99.00 is used for "Other" printed matter within that category. While there isn't a unique HS code specifically for comic books, this is the most appropriate code for their classification. 

[nhl_automotive]

4901.99.9000 (Printed books, other)

or if you want to be really specific: 

4901.99.0092 → Comic books with 5–48 pages (excluding covers)

4901.99.0093 → Comic books with 49+ pages (excluding covers)

If anyone is looking for tariff codes, I suggest using ChatGPT.

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[fh991586]

Using ChatGPT for any important information is a recipe for disaster since there is no accountability for its answers. If you post bad information in sufficient places, it will be included in its findings and you'll be none the wiser!

It's just a glorified magic 8 ball...

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@reallynicestamps wrote:

I have books (I lump text and graphic books together) as 4901.99

And postage as 4907.0010

and philatelic material as 9704.00

I looked these up over a year ago and have them recorded in the back of my daybook.

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For anyone if they are using eBay labels with the above number re: postage the format is:

####.##

####.##.##

####.##.##.##

There may be a few sites still using a dash vs a point currently but for now I am only using ebay labels. 

[dinomitesales]

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@fh991586 wrote:

Using ChatGPT for any important information is a recipe for disaster since there is no accountability for its answers. If you post bad information in sufficient places, it will be included in its findings and you'll be none the wiser!

It's just a glorified magic 8 ball...

---

It's best when used as a tool, rather than an absolute.

For someone that is completely lost when it comes to determining an HS code for a particular product, asking an AI like ChatGPT can be helpful as it will give you a starting-off point. Most modern AI services will include direct links to the pages they are getting their information from, so you can independently verify their veracity. If you don't like what you see, or question those sources, then you can fact-check them on your own.

For example, when I asked ChatGPT the question at hand, about the comic book, it linked me to an official US CBP page where the customs ruling was definitively stated: https://rulings.cbp.gov/ruling/N323006

But for someone that's clueless on the matter, going from "I have no idea what the HS code should be" to "okay, so it looks like it might be either 4902.90 or 4901.99 - let me check the databases and see which one is more applicable" can be incredibly helpful. 

[flipistics]

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@fh991586 wrote:

Using ChatGPT for any important information is a recipe for disaster since there is no accountability for its answers. If you post bad information in sufficient places, it will be included in its findings and you'll be none the wiser!

It's just a glorified magic 8 ball...

---

The responses should obviously be verified, but it can be extremely useful and pretty accurate if you feed it the right information.

For example, instead of asking it something like "what is the hts code for a statuette of a girl made by xxx" you could ask it "what is the hts code for a statuette made of yyy with a country of origin of zzz shipping from Canada to the USA according to the usitc.gov website".

[transtraders]

I have been using this site: Find the tariff applicable for your product | Canada Tariff Finder

Its pretty straight forward and easy to use imo.

[dinomitesales]

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@transtraders wrote:

I have been using this site: Find the tariff applicable for your product | Canada Tariff Finder

Its pretty straight forward and easy to use imo.

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That website says a "comic book" should be 4902.90, when it has been established that the actual correct option should be 4901.99.

At the end of the day, would declaring the comic book as 4902.90 vs 4901.99 make any difference? No, probably not. But it shows how unintuitive these codes can be, and the pitfalls of both AI methodologies and official government look-up sites.

[silverpinups]

I ship comic books regularly and use HTS code: 4901.99.00 without issue.