Envelopes — HTS 4817
Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, of paper or paperboard; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums, of paper or paperboard, containing an assortment of paper stationery
Chapter 48 › Heading 4817
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 4817 is a four-digit product category for certain paper or paperboard stationery. It groups envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards, and correspondence cards, along with paper or paperboard boxes, pouches, wallets, and writing compendiums that contain an assortment of paper stationery. The heading generally concerns the stationery item or set itself, not every product that happens to be shipped in a paper package.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, first identify the product’s essential form and function, then follow the subheadings and statistical breakouts under heading 4817. The narrower code commonly depends on the type of stationery, whether the item is a set or assortment, and the material—paper or paperboard—plus any distinguishing construction or contents described in the tariff text. Read all subdivision wording and relevant legal notes; if the product combines materials or includes non-paper items, classification may require customs-broker or ruling guidance.
What to check
- Identify whether the item is an envelope, card, postcard, or a container or writing set containing assorted paper stationery.
- Check the product’s actual composition and construction, including whether it is paper, paperboard, or includes other materials that could affect classification.
- Review the complete heading 4817 subheading tree and choose the description that matches the product’s form, contents, and presentation—not just its marketing name.
- For stationery assortments, list every included component and determine whether the set is principally paper stationery or includes goods that may be classified separately.
- Keep product specifications, photographs, packaging details, and supplier information so the selected eight-digit code can be verified; seek broker or customs-ruling advice for unusual combinations.
HTS heading 4817 summary
Envelopes is a 4-digit product category containing 2 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 4817.20 | Letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4817.10.00.00 👉 | Envelopes | Free | — | 35% |
| 4817.30.00.00 👉 | Boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums, of paper or paperboard, containing an assortment of paper stationery | Free | — | 40% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 4817?
Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, of paper or paperboard; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums, of paper or paperboard, containing an assortment of paper stationery. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.