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HSChapter 49
U.S. imports of unused postage stamps, banknotes, check forms, stock & bond certificates (HS 490700) totaled $2.9M in April 2026, traded with 46 countries.
Importers of Unused Postage Stamps, Banknotes, Check Forms, Stock & Bond Certificates paid $202K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $2.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Unused Postage Stamps, Banknotes, Check Forms, Stock & Bond Certificates imports of $2.9M in April 2026 ran 44% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.0M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataUnused postage stamps, banknote paper, check forms, and securities such as stock and bond certificates are consolidated under a single tariff line (4907000000), reflecting their shared character as instruments of value or official documents rather than ordinary printed matter. Ireland and Germany lead US imports under this heading — a pattern consistent with the concentration of currency printing and secure document production in those countries. Importers should be aware that shipments of banknotes and negotiable instruments may trigger additional scrutiny from FinCEN, CBP, and the Secret Service, and that the monetary value of the instruments, not just their weight or paper value, may affect entry procedures.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Yes. Physical currency and monetary instruments crossing the US border in amounts exceeding the FinCEN reporting threshold must be declared on FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments). CBP enforces this requirement at the border, and failure to report can result in seizure. Importers of banknotes — even those intended for numismatic or collector purposes — should consult with a licensed customs broker and legal counsel about applicable reporting obligations.
For customs valuation, CBP generally uses the transaction value (the price paid or payable for the goods), which for unused postage stamps is typically the production or purchase cost, not the face value of the stamps. However, if stamps are being imported as currency equivalents or for resale at face value, the valuation methodology may be more complex. Importers should document the commercial invoice carefully and consult a broker for high-value philatelic or postal shipments.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | -- | $14.2M | +$14.2M |
| SWITZERLAND | -- | $1.6M | +$1.6M |
| IRELAND | $1.0M | -- | -$1.0M |
| GERMANY | $391K | $447K | +$56K |
| UNITED KINGDOM | $10K | $692K | +$682K |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4907000000 | UNUSED POSTAGE; BANKNOTES; CHECK FORMS; STOCK, ETC | $2.9M | 10.07% | $202K |
UNUSED POSTAGE; BANKNOTES; CHECK FORMS; STOCK, ETC
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 4907000000 | UNUSED POSTAGE; BANKNOTES; CHECK FORMS; STOCK, ETC | $18.5M |
UNUSED POSTAGE; BANKNOTES; CHECK FORMS; STOCK, ETC
18.3K kg
PRINTED BOOKS, BROCHURES, ETC., NESOI
HS 490199
PRINTED MATTER, NESOI
HS 491199
PICTURES, DESIGNS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, PRINTED
HS 491191
CHILDREN'S PICTURE, DRAWING OR COLORING BOOKS
HS 490300
TRADE ADVERTISING MATERIAL, COMMERCIAL CATALOG ETC
HS 491110
PRINTED OR ILLUST POST CARDS, GREETING CARDS, ETC.
HS 490900
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $125K | $14.3M | +$14.2M |
| Florida | -- | $2.4M | +$2.4M |
| Tennessee | $1.1M | $99K | -$961K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTAY MESA, CA | -- | $14.0M | +$14.0M |
| MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FL | -- | $2.4M | +$2.4M |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $554K | $355K | -$199K |