Subheading · Chapter 48 · Heading 4817
4817.10: Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence: envelopes
Official description Envelopes
4817.10 is a six-digit subheading of heading 4817, envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, of paper or…, chapter 48.
What you pay
Importing into UK
Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff
UK lines →- 4817 10 00 00 Envelopes Free
Additional duties and import rules
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Additional duties and charges 1
- Additional dutyAdditional duties 35%
- Applies to goods from
- Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- 2022 No. 376
- Documents
- 9008
Import requirements 2
- Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
- Applies to goods from
- Ukraine
- Legal act
- S.I. 2022/395
- Documents
- 9009
- 9010
- 9017
- Import controlImport control of timber and timber products subject to the FLEGT licensing scheme
- Applies to goods from
- Indonesia
- Legal act
- CS Indonesia No.1/2019
- Documents
- C690 FLEGT import licence for timber
- C631 Formal letter validating the use of non-wooden or recycled materials for paper products, issued by the Ministry of Industry of the FLEGT VPA partner country from which the paper products are originating
- Y057 Goods not requiring the presentation of a FLEGT import licence for timber
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | Free |
| DCTS Comprehensive | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 moreAfghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia | Free |
| European Union (including code " EU") | Free | |
| CARIFORUM | Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 moreAntigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago | Free |
| OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) | Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 moreAnguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands | Free |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | Free |
| SADC EPA | Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia | Free |
| Eastern and Southern Africa States | Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe | Free |
| CPTPP | Brunei, Malaysia | Free |
| UK–Andorra agreement | Andorra | Free |
| UK–Albania agreement | Albania | Free |
| UK–Australia agreement | Australia | Free |
| UK–Canada agreement | Canada | Free |
| UK–Switzerland agreement | Switzerland | Free |
| UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement | Côte d’Ivoire | Free |
| UK–Chile agreement | Chile | Free |
| UK–Cameroon agreement | Cameroon | Free |
| UK–Colombia agreement | Colombia | Free |
| UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement | Ceuta & Melilla | Free |
| UK–Ecuador agreement | Ecuador | Free |
| UK–Egypt agreement | Egypt | Free |
| UK–Fiji agreement | Fiji | Free |
| UK–Faroe Islands agreement | Faroe Islands | Free |
| UK–Georgia agreement | Georgia | Free |
| UK–Ghana agreement | Ghana | Free |
| UK–Israel agreement | Israel | Free |
| UK–India agreement | India | Free |
| UK–Iceland agreement | Iceland | Free |
| UK–Jordan agreement | Jordan | Free |
| UK–Japan agreement | Japan | Free |
| UK–Kenya agreement | Kenya | Free |
| UK–South Korea agreement | South Korea | Free |
| UK–Lebanon agreement | Lebanon | Free |
| UK–Liechtenstein agreement | Liechtenstein | Free |
| UK–Morocco agreement | Morocco | Free |
| UK–Moldova agreement | Moldova | Free |
| UK–North Macedonia agreement | North Macedonia | Free |
| UK–Mexico agreement | Mexico | Free |
| UK–Norway agreement | Norway | Free |
| UK–New Zealand agreement | New Zealand | Free |
| UK–Peru agreement | Peru | Free |
| UK–Papua New Guinea agreement | Papua New Guinea | Free |
| UK–Palestinian Territories agreement | Palestinian Territories | Free |
| UK–Serbia agreement | Serbia | Free |
| UK–Solomon Islands agreement | Solomon Islands | Free |
| UK–Singapore agreement | Singapore | Free |
| UK–San Marino agreement | San Marino | Free |
| UK–Tunisia agreement | Tunisia | Free |
| UK–Türkiye agreement | Türkiye | Free |
| UK–Ukraine agreement | Ukraine | Free |
| UK–Vietnam agreement | Vietnam | Free |
| UK–Samoa agreement | Samoa | Free |
| UK–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| UK–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
UK: imports by month
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| £9.5m | 27.6% | -7.9% | |
| £8m | 23.3% | -1.8% | |
| £5m | 14.6% | +92.1% | |
| £2m | 5.7% | +47.2% | |
| £1.3m | 3.8% | +52.5% | |
| £1.3m | 3.8% | -17.6% | |
| £1.3m | 3.6% | -29.7% | |
| £1m | 3% | +32.3% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
World trade in 2024
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$107kUS$107k+US$2m+US$15m+> US$45m
Exports: 152
- China: US$175m
- Poland: US$108m
- Mexico: US$84m
- Germany: US$61m
- United States: US$45m
- Canada: US$39m
- Netherlands: US$35m
- India: US$26m
- Spain: US$24m
- France: US$23m
- Slovakia: US$20m
- Hungary: US$18m
- United Kingdom: US$17m
- Türkiye: US$15m
- United Arab Emirates: US$14m
- Czechia: US$13m
- Malaysia: US$12m
- Vietnam: US$11m
- Italy: US$10m
- Sweden: US$10m
- Austria: US$10m
- Switzerland: US$9m
- Romania: US$8m
- Belgium: US$8m
- New Zealand: US$7m
- Singapore: US$5m
- Portugal: US$5m
- Indonesia: US$4m
- Taiwan: US$4m
- Thailand: US$4m
- Croatia: US$3m
- Cambodia: US$3m
- Slovenia: US$2m
- South Africa: US$2m
- Ireland: US$2m
- Guatemala: US$1m
- Serbia: US$1m
- Russia: US$1m
- Lithuania: US$1m
- Egypt: US$1m
- Sri Lanka: US$1m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$1m
- Japan: US$959k
- Australia: US$794k
- South Korea: US$774k
- Finland: US$765k
- Greece: US$758k
- Denmark: US$664k
- Peru: US$612k
- El Salvador: US$594k
- Barbados: US$443k
- Costa Rica: US$439k
- Bulgaria: US$422k
- Argentina: US$376k
- Latvia: US$321k
- Dominican Republic: US$273k
- Tunisia: US$231k
- Algeria: US$225k
- Macao SAR China: US$214k
- Brazil: US$211k
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$324kUS$324k+US$1m+US$7m+> US$33m
Imports: 211
- United States: US$198m
- Germany: US$101m
- Japan: US$56m
- France: US$49m
- United Kingdom: US$39m
- Canada: US$34m
- Netherlands: US$33m
- Australia: US$23m
- Belgium: US$22m
- Italy: US$18m
- Austria: US$16m
- Sweden: US$16m
- Spain: US$13m
- Czechia: US$13m
- Mexico: US$12m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$12m
- Poland: US$12m
- Switzerland: US$12m
- Singapore: US$9m
- Finland: US$9m
- Denmark: US$7m
- Ireland: US$7m
- Hungary: US$7m
- Philippines: US$7m
- Norway: US$6m
- Saudi Arabia: US$6m
- Vietnam: US$5m
- Portugal: US$5m
- Romania: US$4m
- Slovenia: US$4m
- Malaysia: US$4m
- United Arab Emirates: US$4m
- Morocco: US$4m
- Greece: US$3m
- Slovakia: US$3m
- Luxembourg: US$3m
- Cambodia: US$3m
- South Korea: US$3m
- Thailand: US$3m
- Israel: US$2m
- New Zealand: US$2m
- Türkiye: US$2m
- Côte d’Ivoire: US$2m
- Croatia: US$2m
- Russia: US$2m
- Iraq: US$2m
- Kuwait: US$2m
- Bosnia & Herzegovina: US$2m
- Ghana: US$2m
- Tunisia: US$2m
- Lithuania: US$1m
- India: US$1m
- Qatar: US$1m
- China: US$1m
- Senegal: US$1m
- Tanzania: US$1m
- Bulgaria: US$1m
- Cameroon: US$1m
- Togo: US$1m
- Cyprus: US$993k
Top exporters
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$175m | 20.5% | |
| 2 | US$108m | 12.6% | |
| 3 | US$84m | 9.8% | |
| 4 | US$61m | 7.2% | |
| 5 | US$45m | 5.2% | |
| 6 | US$39m | 4.6% | |
| 7 | US$35m | 4.1% | |
| 8 | US$26m | 3.1% | |
| 9 | US$24m | 2.8% | |
| 10 | US$23m | 2.7% |
Top importers
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$198m | 23.1% | |
| 2 | US$101m | 11.8% | |
| 3 | US$56m | 6.6% | |
| 4 | US$49m | 5.7% | |
| 5 | US$39m | 4.5% | |
| 6 | US$34m | 4% | |
| 7 | US$33m | 3.9% | |
| 8 | US$23m | 2.6% | |
| 9 | US$22m | 2.6% | |
| 10 | US$18m | 2.1% |
Import duty on this product around the world 165
The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty each country applies to goods of this HS subheading: the average over its national tariff lines, with the lowest and highest line where they differ. Goods from countries with a trade agreement often pay less.
- 15%median duty
- 22number of duty-free countries (MFN)
- 55%highest: Iran, Angola, Morocco
165
| Importing country | MFN duty | lines from – to | data year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5% | 2018 · HS 2012 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 30% | 2023 | ||
| 50% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 15% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2021 · HS 2007 | ||
| 16% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2023 | ||
| 12% | 2021 · HS 2012 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 25% | 2022 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 25% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2022 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 25% | 2023 | ||
| 10% | 2022 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2022 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 16% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 35% | 2023 | ||
| 7% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 30% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 22% | 2021 · HS 2002 | ||
| 30% | 2023 | ||
| 30% | 2023 | ||
| 6% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 5% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 30% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | ||
| 14% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 30% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 30% | 2019 · HS 2017 | ||
| 15% | 2022 | ||
| 30% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 32% | 2023 | ||
| 6% | 2023 | ||
| 30% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2022 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2012 | ||
| 15% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 5% | 2020 · HS 2017 | ||
| 15% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 10% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 55% | 2020 · HS 2017 | ||
| 12% | 2022 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 8% | 2023 | ||
| 35% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2002 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 15% | 2020 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 12%* | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 25% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 15% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 4% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 11% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 40% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 3% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 15% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 3% | 2023 · HS 2012 | ||
| 12% | 2017 · HS 2017 | ||
| 15% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 0% – 10% | 2023 | |
| 16% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 6% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2023 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 10% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 35% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2020 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2019 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 10% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 25% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 25% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2012 | ||
| 8% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 25% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2007 | ||
| 11%* | 2023 | ||
| 30% | 2020 · HS 2012 | ||
| 7% | 2021 · HS 2012 | ||
| 35% | 2023 | ||
| 10% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 | ||
| 15% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2012 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 15% | 2017 · HS 2017 | ||
| 35% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 5% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 0% | 2023 | ||
| 16% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 20% | 2021 · HS 2017 | ||
| 15% | 2023 | ||
| 20% | 2023 · HS 2017 | ||
| 25% | 2023 | ||
| 6% | 2021 · HS 2012 | ||
| 10% | 2017 · HS 2017 | ||
| 25% | 2023 | ||
| 0.4% | 2023 |
Tariff data years 2017–2023; rates may have changed since. * ad valorem equivalent of specific duties (UNCTAD estimate) · UNCTAD TRAINS, accessed via WITS (World Bank)
Classifications and correspondences
Where this HS subheading sits in the United Nations' statistical classifications, and which codes it had in earlier editions of the Harmonized System.
- SITC Rev. 4
- 64221 Envelopes
- End use (BEC Rev. 5)
- Consumption goods · BEC 613101
- CPC 2.1 product
- 32192 Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards of paper or paperboard; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums, of paper or paperboard, containing paper stationery
- ISIC Rev. 4 activity
- 1709 Manufacture of other articles of paper and paperboard
Earlier HS editions
| HS | Code | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4817.10 | unchanged |
| 2012 | 4817.10 | unchanged |
| 2007 | 4817.10 | unchanged |
| 2002 | 4817.10 | unchanged |
| 1996 | 4817.10 | unchanged |
| 1992 | 4817.10 | unchanged |
Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
EU deforestation regulation (EUDR)
Products of these commodities may only be placed on the EU market or exported if they are deforestation-free, legally produced and covered by a due diligence statement.
- Wood applies from 30 December 2026
Paper and Paperboard: Articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard (not including waste as defined in Article 3, point (1), of Directive 2008/98/EC; not including used products and second-hand products; not including recovered (waste and scrap) products and products derived from recovered (waste and scrap) products; not including single use packing material and packing containers used exclusively to support, protect or carry another product made available on the market or exported and presented with that product; not including packing material and packing containers clearly suitable for repetitive use used exclusively to support, protect or carry another product made available on the market or exported and presented with that product from the moment they are used for such purpose and onwards; not including items of correspondence and marketing and information materials exclusively accompanying another product made available on the market or exported, or supplied for marketing or information purposes free of charge)
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, Annex I (consolidated text)
Binding rulings for similar goods 12
Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
- N364900 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification and country of origin of envelopes
- N364117 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a Valentine’s Day cards with novelties kit from China.
- N358829 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a book, notebook, printed trade material, envelopes, printed sketches, magnifying glass, bookmark, and a decorative non-corrugated paperboard box from China
- N351259 U.S. CBP
The classification of a direct mail package with a tote bag from China
- N350094 U.S. CBP
The classification of a direct mail package with a multifunctional pen from China
- N350098 U.S. CBP
The classification of a direct mail package with a beanie-style hat from China
- 600015850 HMRC
Small Bubble Padded Envelopes with Peal & Seal closure. The pack contains 4 envelopes. Packaged in a clear bag with hole to hang and display. Measurements 18cm x 26.5 cm
- 600015851 HMRC
Medium Bubble Padded Envelopes with Peal & Seal closure. The pack contains 3 envelopes. Packaged in a clear bag with hole to hang and display. Measurements 24cm x 33.5 cm
- 600015852 HMRC
Large Bubble Padded Envelopes with Peal & Seal closure. The pack contains 2 envelopes. Packaged in a clear bag with hole to hang and display. Measurements 27cm x 36 cm
- 600015849 HMRC
Mini Bubble Padded Envelopes with Peal & Seal closure. The pack contains 5 envelopes. Packaged in a clear bag with hole to hang and display. Measurements 15cm x 21.5 cm
12 rulings in total for this code
Subheading 4817.10 is a single line in the UK Global Tariff, where the duty is duty-free.
The EU Combined Nomenclature has one tariff line for subheading 4817.10; the duty is duty-free.
Goods from 156 countries can enter the UK at a preferential rate instead of the standard Free; 156 of them pay no duty at all, for example under DCTS Comprehensive or European Union.
In the UK, additional duty of 35% applies on top of the customs duty to goods from Belarus and Russia.
In the 12 months to August 2026, the UK imported these goods worth £34.4m (down 1% on the year before), at an average of £1.91 per kg; Poland supplied 28%, followed by China.
World trade in these goods reached US$856m in 2024, up 2.1% on 2023.
China was the largest exporter with 20.5% of the total, ahead of Poland.
Products classified here
Questions and answers
What is the HS code for envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence: envelopes?
Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence: envelopes fall under HS subheading 4817.10, part of heading 4817, in section X of the Harmonized System.
What is the import duty on envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and… in the UK?
Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 4817.10 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
What is the import duty on envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and… in the EU?
Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 4817.10 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which country exports the most envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and…?
China, with US$175m in 2024 (20.5% of world exports).
Which countries can export these goods to the UK duty-free?
156 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, CARIFORUM. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of Free applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.
Is there anti-dumping duty on these goods?
The UK charges additional duty of 35% on goods from Belarus and Russia. Lower rates apply to the named exporters listed in the measure.
Where does the UK import these goods from?
In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were Poland (28%), China (23%) and Germany (15%), out of total imports of £34.4m.
Typical products
Everyday names, not part of the legal text.