HSChapter 48
U.S. imports of letter cards, plain postcards, and correspondence cards of paper or paperboard (HS 481720) totaled $533K in April 2026, traded with 15 countries.
Importers of Letter Cards, Plain Postcards, and Correspondence Cards of Paper or Paperboard paid $141K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 28% on $507K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Letter Cards, Plain Postcards, and Correspondence Cards of Paper or Paperboard imports of $533K in April 2026 ran 22% below the year-to-date monthly average of $679K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataPlain postcards, letter cards, and correspondence cards — distinguished from printed greeting cards by their unprinted or minimally decorated character — serve both consumer stationery and business correspondence markets. China and Vietnam lead US import supply under this heading, with Italy and the United Kingdom also significant sources for premium design-oriented products. The US schedule subdivides this heading into combination sheet/envelope sets (4817202000), other letter cards and correspondence cards (4817204000), and a general line (4817200000), so the specific presentation format at importation determines the correct 10-digit line.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Plain postcards and correspondence cards under heading 481720 are characterized by their unprinted or minimally decorated nature — they are blank writing surfaces intended for personal correspondence. Printed greeting cards with pictorial or decorative content are classified under heading 4909, which covers printed postcards and greeting cards. The degree of pre-printing and the commercial purpose of the card are the key distinguishing factors.
A combination sheet/envelope is a single sheet of writing paper that folds and seals to form its own envelope, eliminating the need for a separate envelope. Under the US HTS, this format is specifically captured at 4817202000, distinct from plain postcards and correspondence cards at 4817204000. Importers should confirm the product's construction on the commercial invoice to ensure the correct line is declared.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4817204000 | PPR/PBRD LTTR CARD/PLAIN POSTCARD/CORRS CARD NESOI | $503K | 28.81% | $138K |
| 4817202000 | WRITING PPR SHEETS PREP AS COMBINATION SHTS/ENVELP | $30K | 12.18% | $4K |
PPR/PBRD LTTR CARD/PLAIN POSTCARD/CORRS CARD NESOI
WRITING PPR SHEETS PREP AS COMBINATION SHTS/ENVELP
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 4817200000 | PPR/PBRD LTTR CARD/PLAIN POSTCARD/CORRS CARD NESOI | $723K |
PPR/PBRD LTTR CARD/PLAIN POSTCARD/CORRS CARD NESOI
116.1K kg
SACKS AND BAGS NESOI, INCL CONES, OF PAPER ETC,
HS 481940
FOLDING CARTONS, BOXES ETC, NONCOR PAPER & PAPERBD
HS 481920
CARTONS, BOXES & CASES CORRUGATED PAPER & PAPERBD
HS 481910
PAPER & PAPERBOARD, UNCOATED, >10% MECH.FIB.,ROLLS
HS 480261
TRAYS, DISHES, PLATES, CUPS,ETC,OF PAPER/BOARD,NES
HS 482369
HANDKERCHIEFS, TISSUES & TOWELS OF PAPER PULP ETC
HS 481820
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $41K | $227K | +$185K |
| Florida | $41K | $194K | +$153K |
| Utah | $105K | $36K | -$70K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANCHORAGE, AK | $27K | $212K | +$185K |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $152K | $36K | -$117K |
| MIAMI, FL | -- | $121K | +$121K |