Cartons — HTS 4819
Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibers; box files, letter trays and similar articles, of paper or paperboard of a kind used in offices, shops or the like
Chapter 48 › Heading 4819
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 4819 is a broad product category for certain containers and office articles made mainly of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, or webs of cellulose fibers. It groups items such as cartons, boxes, cases, bags, and other packing containers, along with office-use articles such as box files and letter trays. The heading describes the general product family, not the final classification or duty treatment.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, start with the relevant 4-digit heading and then follow the indented subheadings beneath it. The subheadings commonly separate products by their specific type, construction, intended use, or material characteristics. Review the complete product description, legal notes, and any applicable classification rules; an item’s appearance alone may not determine its classification.
What to check
- Identify the product’s principal function: packing, shipping, storage, or office use.
- Confirm the actual material, including whether the article is paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, or a web of cellulose fibers, and note any substantial non-paper components.
- Compare the item’s construction and type with every available subheading description, rather than choosing the closest everyday name.
- Check whether the product is imported flat, assembled, printed, coated, lined, fitted, or combined with other materials, since these details can affect classification.
- Verify the selected 8-digit code against the current official HTSUS, relevant legal notes, and any binding ruling or customs-broker advice appropriate to the product.
HTS heading 4819 summary
Cartons is a 4-digit product category containing 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 4819.50 | Other packing containers, including record sleeves |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4819.10.00 👉 | Cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard | Free | — | 35% |
| 4819.20.00 👉 | Folding cartons, boxes and cases, of non-corrugated paper or paperboard | Free | — | 35% |
| 4819.30.00 👉 | Sacks and bags, having a base of a width of 40 cm or more | Free | — | 35% |
| 4819.40.00 👉 | Other sacks and bags, including cones | Free | — | 35% |
| 4819.60.00.00 👉 | Box files, letter trays, storage boxes and similar articles, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like | Free | — | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 4819?
Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibers; box files, letter trays and similar articles, of paper or paperboard of a kind used in offices, shops or the like. 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.