Carbon paper — HTS 4816
Carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers (other than those of heading 4809), duplicator stencils and offset plates, of paper, whether or not put up in boxes
Chapter 48 › Heading 4816
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 4816 is a broad product category for paper-based materials used to copy, transfer, or reproduce writing or images. It groups carbon paper, self-copy (carbonless) paper, other copying or transfer papers, duplicator stencils, and offset plates made of paper. The goods can be packaged in boxes, but packaging does not by itself determine classification. Products covered by heading 4809 are excluded.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first identify the product’s function and physical construction, then determine which 4816 subcategory describes it. The detailed code commonly depends on the material or copying method—for example, whether it is carbon paper, self-copy paper, another transfer paper, a duplicator stencil, or an offset plate. Review the full code description and its legal notes, and confirm that the product is not more specifically classified elsewhere. A customs broker or classification specialist may be needed for borderline products or composite articles.
What to check
- Identify the product’s primary copying or transfer function and whether it is paper-based.
- Determine whether it is carbon paper, self-copy paper, another transfer paper, a duplicator stencil, or an offset plate.
- Check the paper’s construction, coating, treatment, and presentation, including whether it is supplied in sheets, rolls, sets, or boxes.
- Compare the product with heading 4809 and other potentially relevant headings before selecting an 8-digit code.
- Keep specifications, photographs, packaging details, and manufacturer information to support the classification, and obtain broker advice if the product has multiple materials or functions.
HTS heading 4816 summary
Carbon paper is a 4-digit product category containing 2 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4816.20.00.00 👉 | Self-copy paper | Free | — | 30% |
| 4816.90.01.00 👉 | Other | Free | — | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 4816?
Carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers (other than those of heading 4809), duplicator stencils and offset plates, of paper, whether or not put up in boxes. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.