U.S. exports of Newspapers, Journals & Periodicals (Published Less Than 4 Times a Week) (HS 490290) totaled $20.3M in August 2026.
Importers of Newspapers, Journals & Periodicals (Published Less Than 4 Times a Week) paid $32K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.33% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataWeekly, biweekly, and other less-frequent print publications are classified here, with the US schedule subdividing the heading into five distinct 10-digit lines that distinguish gravure-printed newspaper supplements (4902901000), newspapers proper (4902902020), business and trade periodicals (4902902040), other journals and periodicals in single issues (4902902060), and bundled or subscription-tied periodicals (4902905000). The United Kingdom leads US imports under this heading, followed by Canada and Italy — a supplier mix reflecting the strength of British academic and trade publishing as well as Canadian proximity. Importers of scholarly journals and trade magazines should pay close attention to whether shipments arrive as single issues or in tied bundles, as that distinction drives line-level classification.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
401 import shipments a month
The distinction generally turns on editorial content and intended audience: business, financial, and trade-oriented publications aimed at commercial or professional readers typically fall under 4902902040, while academic, scientific, and general-interest journals not meeting that commercial focus land in 4902902060. When content straddles both categories, importers should seek a binding ruling from CBP to avoid misclassification.
Lines 4902902040, 4902902060, and 4902905000 each reference single issues or issues tied together, which matters when a shipment consolidates multiple back issues or subscription fulfillment bundles. CBP looks at how the issues are packaged and invoiced; a bulk shipment of individually wrapped issues may be treated differently from a bound compilation, so accurate commercial invoicing describing the packaging format is important.
Subheading 1 of 2 in heading 4902
Subheading 490290 · $20.3M of $20.4M
ImportsExports
Imports
$10.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$20.3MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $115.8M of Newspapers, Journals & Periodicals (Published Less Than 4 Times a Week) and exported $215.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4902902060 | Journals and Periodicals NESOI Single Issues Tied | $6.0M | 0.43% | 4.45% | $26K |
| 4902902040 | Business Etc Periodicals, NESOI Single Issues Tied | $3.7M | 0.16% | 1.67% | $6K |
| 4902901000 | Newspapr Supplts Printd by A Gravure Process NESOI | $140K | 0.00% | 0.00% | -- |
| 4902902020 | Newspapers Appearing Less Than Four Times A Week | $101K | 0.28% | 2.21% | $280 |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and China together take 89% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
96.5% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.33% of imports for consumption.