Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans
Chapter 49 of the Harmonised System covers Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans — 11 four-digit headings spanning children's picture, drawing or colouring books to printed or illustrated postcards that customs authorities worldwide use to classify these goods and set duty.
- India exports 2024
- $420.8M
Source: UN Comtrade — India's reported merchandise exports to the world, 2024.
Sourcing this category from India
Chapter 49 covers printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry. India has a large printing and publishing industry that exports books, calendars, greeting cards, printed labels and commercial print work. Classification separates the goods by type — books, periodicals, maps, music, transfers and trade advertising material.
How to read this code
49 is the two-digit HS chapter for printed books, newspapers, pictures and other prod. To clear customs your destination country extends it to a full 8–10 digit code and assigns the duty rate. India's preferential trade agreements (UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, and others) can reduce or zero out that duty on many pulp, paper & paperboard lines — check our import guides for your market.
Headings under HS 49
The Harmonised System breaks Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans into these 11 headings. Drill down to the exact classification for your goods.
Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets
Newspapers, journals and periodicals, whether or not illustrated or containing advertising material
Children's picture, drawing or colouring books
Music, printed or in manuscript, whether or not bound or illustrated
Maps and hydrographic or similar charts of all kinds, including atlases, wall maps, topographical plans and globes, printed
Plans and drawings; for architectural, engineering, industrial, commercial, topographical or similar, being originals drawn by hand; hand-written texts; photo- graphic reproductions; their carbon copies
Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value; stamp-impressed paper; cheque forms; banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title
Transfers (decalcomanias)
Printed or illustrated postcards; printed cards bearing personal greetings, messages or announcements, whether or not illustrated, with or without envelopes or trimmings
Calendars of any kind, printed, including calendar blocks
Printed matter, n.e.c., including printed pictures and photographs
Top destinations for Chapter 49 exports
India's largest buyers of goods in this HS chapter in 2024, ranked by export value.
Chapter-level destination mix — your specific HS line may skew differently. Source: UN Comtrade, 2024.
Working out import duty for HS 49 into your market? See full duty context and India-vs-rivals comparisons in our India comparison guides and export resource hub.
Source goods under HS 49 directly from India.
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