Paper and paperboard labels of all kinds — HTS 4821
Paper and paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed
Chapter 48 › Heading 4821
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 4821 is a broad product category for labels made of paper or paperboard, whether they are printed or blank. It can include common merchandise labels, tags, stickers, and similar label products, but classification depends on the label’s construction and intended form of use.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTS code, first confirm that the item belongs in heading 4821, then use the more detailed subheadings and statistical subdivisions. These usually distinguish labels by features such as whether they are printed, self-adhesive, or made in a particular paper or paperboard form. The product’s physical characteristics, rather than its marketing name alone, control classification. When the facts are unusual or borderline, consult a customs broker or request guidance from CBP.
What to check
- Identify the label’s principal material and confirm that paper or paperboard is the relevant component.
- Check whether the labels are printed, blank, self-adhesive, or presented in another specified form.
- Review how the labels are imported—such as sheets, rolls, individual pieces, or attached backing—and compare that form with the HTS descriptions.
- Inspect the applicable heading and subheading notes, including any exclusions that may move the product to another heading.
- Keep product specifications, photographs, packaging details, and composition information to support the selected 8-digit code.
HTS heading 4821 summary
Paper and paperboard labels of all kinds is a 4-digit product category containing 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 4821.10 | Printed |
| 4821.90 | Other |
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 4821?
Paper and paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed. 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.