Hardcover dotted journal notebook, A5, 160 gsm paper, with elastic closure and ribbon bookmark
Country of origin for this scenario: China.
Recommended HTS code
4820.10.20.10
Diaries and address books
HIGH confidence. GRI 1 directs classification to heading 4820 (notebooks/diaries of paper/paperboard). Multiple on-point CBP rulings (N175662, N305788, N308048, HQ 956384) consistently classify hardcover bound journals/diaries with elastic closure and ribbon bookmark at 4820.10.2010 (current schedule suffix .10). The dotted-page hardcover journal with elastic closure and ribbon bookmark is materially identical to the articles classified in N175662 (hardcover case-bound journal, dotted lined pages, elastic band closure, ribbon bookmark → 4820.10.2010) and N305788 (bound journal, elastic closure → 4820.10.2010). The general (column 1) duty rate is Free. Origin is China; the 9903.90.08 footnote on this subheading pertains to Russian Federation goods and does NOT apply. However, the ruling N305788 identifies a Section 301 China overlay (9903.88.03 at time of that ruling) that imposed an additional 25% ad valorem on 4820.10.2010 goods of China — this chapter 99 overlay must be verified at time of entry as it is subject to amendment.
Classification analysis generated on July 29, 2026 from the current Harmonized Tariff Schedule and published CBP rulings, for the product description shown — our analysis, not legal advice.
How the classification was reached
GRI Reasoning
GRI 1 — Heading Identification
The product is a hardcover dotted journal notebook (A5, 160 gsm paper) with elastic closure and ribbon bookmark, originating from China. Heading 4820, HTSUS, expressly covers "registers, account books, notebooks, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles … of paper or paperboard." The Explanatory Notes to 4820 confirm that goods of this heading may be bound with materials other than paper (leather, plastics, textile) and may have reinforcements or fittings of metal or plastics — so the hardcover, elastic closure, and ribbon bookmark do not disqualify the article from heading 4820. GRI 1 places this article squarely in heading 4820.
Subheading Determination — GRI 6
Within 4820, subheading 4820.10 covers "Registers, account books, notebooks, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles." The next level splits between:
- 4820.10.20 — "Diaries, notebooks and address books, bound; memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles" (general rate: Free; Column 2: 25%)
- 4820.10.40 — "Other" (general rate: Free; Column 2: 25%)
This is a hardcover *bound* journal/notebook. Per rulings N175662, N305788, N308048, and HQ 956384, CBP consistently treats hardcover bound journals/diaries with elastic closures and ribbon bookmarks as "diaries" for classification purposes, noting that personal features (elastic closure, attractive covers, dotted/lined writing space) make such articles "more akin to a diary" (N305788). Classification is therefore at 4820.10.20, not 4820.10.40.
Statistical Suffix (10-digit)
Under 4820.10.20, the statistical suffixes are:
- 4820.10.20.10 — Diaries and address books
- 4820.10.20.20 — Memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles
- 4820.10.20.30 — Sewn composition books (specific dimensional range)
- 4820.10.20.40 — Other note books (specific dimensional range)
- 4820.10.20.60 — Other
CBP rulings N175662, N305788, N308048, and HQ 956384 all assign 4820.10.2010 (now rendered as 4820.10.20.10) to bound journals/diaries. An A5 hardcover dotted journal qualifies as a "diary" under CBP's consistent interpretation. The 10-digit code 4820.10.20.10 is confirmed in the supplied HTS rows.
Duty Rate
- General (Column 1): Free (per HTS row for 4820.10.20)
- Column 2 (other): 25%
- China Section 301 overlay: Ruling N305788 (China-origin journals, 4820.10.2010) expressly identified an additional 25% ad valorem Section 301 duty under Chapter 99, Subchapter III (citing 9903.88.03 at time of that ruling). This overlay must be verified at time of entry as the applicable 9903.88.xx subheading may have changed. The 9903.90.08 footnote on the 4820.10.20 HTS row pertains to Russian Federation articles and does NOT apply to Chinese-origin goods.
Financial Impact (indicative)
- Unit value: $2.50; annual units: 15,000; total annual import value: $37,500
- Base duty: $0 (Free under Column 1)
- Section 301 additional duty (if 25% rate applies): ~$9,375/year — must confirm current 9903.88.xx applicability with broker
Rejected Alternatives
- 4820.10.40.00: Residual "other" under 4820.10; not applicable because the article is a bound journal/diary fitting squarely within 4820.10.20.
- 4820.90.00.00: Residual "other" under heading 4820; not applicable — the elastic closure and ribbon bookmark are accessory features that do not alter the notebook/diary character per the EN and multiple rulings.
Cited CBP rulings
Every ruling below was fetched from CBP’s public CROSS database and verified to exist before this page was published. Links go to the official ruling text.
What it classified: Hardcover case-bound journal with dotted lined pages, elastic band closure, ribbon bookmark, and gusseted pocket — from China
Why it’s analogous: Directly on-point: materially identical construction (hardcover/case-bound, dotted lined pages, elastic closure, ribbon bookmark) was classified at 4820.10.2010 as a diary/bound journal. CBP treated personal features as making the article akin to a diary rather than a plain notebook.
What it classified: Bamboo-veneered hardcover bound journal with elastic closure, lined pages — from China
Why it’s analogous: CBP held that a bound journal with elastic closure and personal/custom features (here, attractive hardcover and dotted pages) is 'more akin to a diary' and classified at 4820.10.2010. Also confirmed that China-origin goods at this subheading are subject to Section 301 additional duties (25%) requiring Chapter 99 reporting.
What it classified: Fabric-covered bound diary with ribbon bookmark, lock closure — origin determination ruling
Why it’s analogous: Confirms 4820.10.2010 for a bound diary with ribbon bookmark and closure feature; supports consistent CBP treatment of bound diary/journal articles at the .10 statistical suffix.
What it classified: Day planner/diary classification analysis under 4820.10.2010
Why it’s analogous: HQ ruling establishing that the determinative criterion for 4820.10.2010 is whether the article is primarily designed for/functions as receipt of daily notations; supports treating a dotted hardcover journal as a diary at 4820.10.20.10.
What the duty looks like
Duty math shown for illustrative declared values — $2.50 per unit at 15,000 units per year is our assumption for this explainer, not a measurement of anyone's imports. Your numbers will differ.
- Base duty rate (column 1, general)
- Free
- Annual declared value at the illustrative numbers
- $37,500
- Base duty per year (illustrative)
- $0
Chapter-99 overlay headings flagged on this code
- 9903.90.08 — . Articles the product of the Russian Federation, as provided for in U.S. note 30(a) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 30(b) to this subchapter
Overlay applicability depends on origin, entry date, and any active exclusions — verify at entry.
Alternatives considered
The full candidate set from the fetched tariff rows — including rows that would carry a higher duty. Shown so the reasoning is checkable, not to offer a rate menu.
| Code | Description | General rate | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4820.10.40.00 | Other | Free | Residual 'other' subheading under 4820.10 (general rate: Free; Column 2: 25%). Would apply only if CBP determined the article is not a 'bound diary/notebook' under 4820.10.20 — inconsistent with multiple on-point rulings classifying hardcover bound journals with elastic closures at 4820.10.20.10. |
| 4820.10.20.60 | Diaries, notebooks and address books, bound; memorandum pads, letter pads and similar articles | Free | Statistical suffix 'Other' under 4820.10.20. Could apply if CBP viewed the item as a notebook rather than a diary; however, N175662 and N305788 both assign the .10 (diaries and address books) suffix to hardcover journals with identical features. |
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