HTS code for stickers and decals (2026)
Most stickers are classified by what they are made of. A self-adhesive plastic sticker or decal in sheet form is 3919.90.50.60 at a general rate of 5.8%; one supplied in rolls not over 20 cm wide is 3919.10.20.55 at the same rate. A self-adhesive paper sticker or label is 4821.90.20.00 at Free, a printed paper picture or design that is not self-adhesive is 4911.91.40.40 at Free, and a transfer (decalcomania) made to be applied by wetting or heat is 4908.90.00.00 at Free.
The attribute that most often moves a sticker to a different line is the substrate: plastic goes to heading 3919, paper to heading 4821 or 4911, and a true transfer to heading 4908.
Candidate HTS lines for stickers and decals
| Code | Line | General rate | Special rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4908.90.00.00 | Other (kg) Use when: The product is a non-vitrifiable transfer or decalcomania, meaning it is not intended to be fired onto glass or ceramic surfaces. | Free | |
| 4908.10.00.00 | Transfers (decalcomanias), vitrifiable (kg) Use when: The product is a vitrifiable transfer or decalcomania designed to be fused onto glass or ceramic by firing. | Free | |
| 3919.90.50.60 | Other (m2, kg) Other: › Other Use when: The product is a self-adhesive sticker or decal made of plastic film or sheet, not in rolls, and not reflectorized, transparent tape, filament reinforced, or electrical tape. | 5.8% | Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3919.10.20.55 | Other (m2, kg) In rolls of a width not exceeding 20 cm: › Other › Other: Use when: The product is a self-adhesive sticker or decal made of plastic, supplied in rolls of a width not exceeding 20 cm, and not classifiable as filament reinforced, electrical, or transparent tape. | 5.8% | Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 4821.90.20.00 | Self-adhesive (kg) Other: Use when: The product is a self-adhesive paper or paperboard label or sticker, whether or not printed. | Free | |
| 4821.10.20.00 | Printed in whole or in part by a lithographic process (kg) Printed: Use when: The product is a printed paper or paperboard label or sticker printed in whole or in part by a lithographic process and is not self-adhesive. | Free | |
| 4821.10.40.00 | Other (kg) Printed: Use when: The product is a printed paper or paperboard label or sticker printed by a process other than lithography and is not self-adhesive. | Free | |
| 4911.91.40.40 | Other (kg) Other: › Pictures, designs and photographs: › Printed not over 20 years at time of importation: › Other: › Other Use when: The product is a printed picture, design, or photograph on paper, printed not over 20 years at time of importation, not a lithograph within 0.51 mm thickness, and not a poster. | Free | |
| 4911.91.20.40 | Other (kg) Other: › Pictures, designs and photographs: › Printed not over 20 years at time of importation: › Other: › Lithographs on paper or paperboard: › Not over 0.51 mm in thickness Use when: The product is a printed sticker or decal produced by lithography on paper or paperboard not over 0.51 mm in thickness and is not a poster. | Free | |
| 3919.90.10.00 | Having a light-reflecting surface produced in whole or in part by glass grains (ballotini) (kg) Other: Use when: The product is a self-adhesive plastic sticker or decal not in rolls and has a light-reflecting surface produced in whole or in part by glass grains (ballotini). | 6.5% | Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
Chapter 99 duties and claims that attach to these lines today
Section 301 China
- 9903.88.02 Section 301 China, +25%, applies to 3919.90.50.60, 3919.10.20.55, 3919.90.10.00 9903.88.02 Explained: Section 301 China List 3, 25% Duty Rate
- 9903.88.03 Section 301 China, +25%, applies to 4821.90.20.00, 4821.10.20.00, 4821.10.40.00 9903.88.03 Explained: Section 301 China List 4, 25% Duty Rate
- 9903.88.15 Section 301 China, +7.5%, applies to 4908.90.00.00, 4908.10.00.00, 4911.91.40.40 9903.88.15 Explained: Section 301 China List 4, 7.5% Duty Rate
- 9903.88.69 Section 301 Exclusion Claims, claim or exemption heading, no additional duty, applies to 3919.90.50.60, 3919.10.20.55 9903.88.69: Section 301 Exclusion Claim Heading Explained
Russia
- 9903.90.08 Russia, claim or exemption heading, no additional duty, applies to 4908.90.00.00, 4821.10.20.00, 4911.91.40.40 9903.90.08 Explained: 35% Russia Column 2 Duty for Importers
Each applicable Chapter 99 heading is reported as its own line beside the classification. Its duty is separate from the general rate above; most programs charge it on top, and a heading's own text says how it is assessed.
What decides the line
The first question is whether the product is a transfer or decalcomania as described in heading 4908. If yes, the next split is whether it is vitrifiable (designed to be fired onto glass or ceramic), which goes to 4908.10.00.00, or other, which goes to 4908.90.00.00. Both carry a Free general rate but different column 2 rates and Section 301 China additions.
If the product is not a decalcomania, the next question is the substrate material. A self-adhesive sticker or decal whose substrate is a plastic film or sheet classifies in heading 3919. Width and roll format matter: rolls not exceeding 20 cm in width go to 3919.10 subdivisions such as 3919.10.20.55, while flat sheets or wider rolls go to 3919.90 subdivisions such as 3919.90.50.60. Both carry a 5.8% general rate. A sticker with a light-reflecting surface produced in whole or in part by glass grains (ballotini) goes instead to 3919.90.10.00 at 6.5%.
A sticker or label whose substrate is paper or paperboard and that is self-adhesive goes to 4821.90.20.00 at Free. If not self-adhesive, it goes to 4821.10.20.00 (lithographic printing, Free) or 4821.10.40.00 (other printing, Free) depending on the printing process.
Printed paper stickers that do not qualify as labels or as decalcomanias may fall under heading 4911. Within 4911, the key splits are whether the image was printed over 20 years ago, whether the process was lithography, whether the paper is not over 0.51 mm thick, and whether the item is a poster, leading to lines such as 4911.91.20.40 or 4911.91.40.40, both at Free general rate.
Common mistakes
- Classifying a plastic self-adhesive sticker under 4908.90.00.00 (a paper decalcomania heading) is incorrect; plastic self-adhesive products belong in heading 3919 based on their substrate material.
- Applying Section 301 heading 9903.88.02 to goods classified under 4908.90.00.00 from China is incorrect; the provision attached to that line is 9903.88.15, which adds +7.5%, not +25%.
- Omitting the Chapter 99 heading entirely when importing from China is a filing error; 9903.88.02 (+25%) for 3919.90.50.60 or 9903.88.03 (+25%) for 4821.90.20.00 must each be reported as a separate line entry alongside the classification line.
- Classifying a vitrifiable decal (designed to be fired onto glass or ceramic) under 4908.90.00.00 is incorrect; those products belong under 4908.10.00.00, which carries a different column 2 rate of 66 cents per kg + 15%.
- Classifying a paper self-adhesive label as a decalcomania under 4908.90.00.00 is incorrect; paper and paperboard self-adhesive labels belong under 4821.90.20.00, which carries its own Section 301 China provision 9903.88.03 adding +25%.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for most stickers and decals?
Non-vitrifiable paper transfers and decalcomanias typically use 4908.90.00.00 at a Free general rate. Plastic self-adhesive stickers in flat sheet form typically use 3919.90.50.60 at a 5.8% general rate. Paper self-adhesive labels use 4821.90.20.00 at a Free general rate. The correct line depends on substrate material and construction, so confirm the specific product against the current HTSUS or consult a licensed broker.
What is the duty rate for stickers and decals from China?
The general (column 1) rate is Free for most paper-based sticker and decal lines (4908.90.00.00, 4821.90.20.00, 4911.91.40.40) and 5.8% for plastic self-adhesive lines (3919.90.50.60). Goods originating in China are also subject to Section 301 additional duties reported under Chapter 99: 9903.88.15 adds +7.5% for lines such as 4908.90.00.00 and 4911.91.40.40; 9903.88.02 adds +25% for lines such as 3919.90.50.60; and 9903.88.03 adds +25% for lines such as 4821.90.20.00. Each Chapter 99 provision is entered as a separate line and is on top of the general rate.
Does it matter whether my sticker is on paper or plastic?
Yes. Substrate material is the primary classifier. Self-adhesive products with a plastic substrate go to heading 3919, carrying a 5.8% general rate and a +25% Section 301 China surcharge under 9903.88.02. Paper or paperboard self-adhesive labels go to heading 4821 at a Free general rate with a +25% surcharge under 9903.88.03. Non-self-adhesive printed paper decalcomanias go to heading 4908 at a Free general rate with a +7.5% surcharge under 9903.88.15 if from China.
What does the Chapter 99 provision mean on my entry?
Chapter 99 headings such as 9903.88.02, 9903.88.03, and 9903.88.15 represent Section 301 additional duties on goods from China. They are not a substitute for the classification line; they are reported as a separate line on the entry alongside it. The duty they impose is in addition to the general rate. For example, 3919.90.50.60 carries 5.8% plus 9903.88.02 at +25% for Chinese-origin goods. Heading 9903.90.08 attached to some lines is a Russia-related claim or exemption heading with no additional duty.
Are there any free-trade-agreement rates for plastic stickers?
Yes. Lines in heading 3919 such as 3919.90.50.60 and 3919.10.20.55 carry a special rate of Free for goods qualifying under programs designated A, AU, BH, CL, CO, D, E, IL, JO, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, and SG. Paper-based lines such as 4908.90.00.00 and 4821.90.20.00 show no special rate text in the current schedule, meaning no preferential program rate is listed for those lines. Confirm current eligibility and origin requirements in the current HTSUS or with a licensed broker.
What is the HTS code for vitrifiable decals used on glass or ceramic?
Vitrifiable transfers (decalcomanias) designed to be fired onto glass or ceramic surfaces are classified under 4908.10.00.00. The general rate is Free and the column 2 rate is 66 cents per kg + 15%. Goods from China carry a Section 301 addition under 9903.88.15 at +7.5%, which is entered as a separate line. This is distinct from 4908.90.00.00, which covers non-vitrifiable transfers and decalcomanias.