HS Code for Magazine
Magazines and periodicals are primarily classified under HTS heading 4902, which covers newspapers, journals, and periodicals whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material. The general duty rate for all printed periodicals and magazines is Free -- there is no duty assessed on imported magazines, catalogs, brochures, or similar printed matter under US tariff law. Related items like catalogs fall under 4911, and bound periodicals under 4901, all also duty-free.
| HTS Code | Description | Duty Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 4902.90.20.60 | Other newspapers, journals and periodicals (including single issues tied together for shipping purposes) General consumer magazines and periodicals | Free |
| 4902.90.20.40 | Other business and professional journals and periodicals Business, trade, and professional magazines | Free |
| 4902.10.00.00 | Newspapers, journals and periodicals, appearing at least four times a week Daily or near-daily periodicals and newspapers | Free |
| 4902.90.10.00 | Newspaper supplements printed by a gravure process Newspaper magazine supplements (gravure printed) | Free |
| 4902.90.20.20 | Newspapers appearing less than four times per week Weekly newspapers and similar publications | Free |
| 4911.10.00.80 | Other trade advertising material, commercial catalogs and the like Catalogs, brochures, and advertising material | Free |
| 4911.10.00.40 | Printed catalogs, price lists or trade notices from foreign sellers Foreign trade catalogs and price lists | Free |
| 4901.99.00.92 | Other printed books, brochures, leaflets, containing 5-48 pages (excluding covers) Brochures and leaflets (5-48 pages) | Free |
| 4901.99.00.20 | Bound newspapers, journals and periodicals provided for in Legal Note 3 Bound volumes of periodicals | Free |
| 4911.99.60.00 | Other printed matter, printed on paper by a lithographic process Lithographically printed matter (flyers, promotional prints) | Free |
Magazines and periodicals enjoy one of the simplest and most favorable tariff treatments in the HTS. All printed periodicals enter the United States duty-free under heading 4902. The classification guide focuses on distinguishing between related headings rather than duty rate optimization.
Heading 4902 is the primary classification for magazines, journals, newspapers, and periodicals of all kinds. Within this heading, 4902.10 covers publications appearing at least four times a week (daily newspapers and similar), while 4902.90 covers all other periodicals including weekly, monthly, and quarterly magazines. The statistical breakouts distinguish between newspaper supplements printed by gravure (4902.90.10), newspapers appearing less than four times per week (4902.90.20.20), business and professional journals (4902.90.20.40), and other general periodicals (4902.90.20.60).
Catalogs and advertising materials are classified separately under heading 4911 (other printed matter). Trade advertising material and commercial catalogs fall under 4911.10, with breakouts for catalogs of US products (4911.10.00.20), foreign trade catalogs (4911.10.00.40), and tourist literature (4911.10.00.60). All enter duty-free.
Brochures and leaflets -- typically thinner publications without the periodic issuance of a magazine -- may fall under heading 4901 (printed books, brochures, leaflets, and similar printed matter). The statistical breakouts in 4901.99 distinguish by page count: not more than 4 pages (4901.99.00.91), 5-48 pages (4901.99.00.92), and 49 or more pages (4901.99.00.93). All are duty-free.
Bound collections of periodicals that would otherwise fall under heading 4902 are classified under 4901.99.00.20 per Legal Note 3 to Chapter 49. This applies to bound annual volumes of magazines or journals.
The key classification challenge with magazines is not the duty rate (which is always Free) but the correct statistical reporting. US Customs requires accurate statistical suffix reporting for trade data purposes, so importers should ensure they are using the right specific code even though the duty impact is nil.
All magazines, periodicals, catalogs, brochures, and similar printed matter enter the United States duty-free. This applies regardless of the country of origin, language of publication, or subject matter. Heading 4902 (periodicals), heading 4901 (books and brochures), and heading 4911 (catalogs and advertising material) all carry a general rate of Free. No preferential trade agreement treatment is needed since the MFN (most favored nation) rate is already zero.