9704.00 Stamps, postage or revenue; stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper) and like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907
A full HS code. These six digits are what goes on a customs declaration, and they mean the same thing in every country that uses the Harmonized System.
Section XXI, Art & Antiques — works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques.
- 97 Chapter Works of art; collectors' pieces and antiques
- 04 Heading Stamps, postage or revenue; stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper) and like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907
- 00 Subheading Stamps, postage or revenue; stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper) and like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907
Chapter 97 covers works of art, collectors' pieces and antiques: paintings, sculptures, stamps, coins and genuine antiques over 100 years old. Many countries grant reduced or zero duty on qualifying art and antiques, but require proof of age or authenticity to claim it. Classification tip: The '100 years old' threshold for antiques is strictly enforced and usually needs documented provenance or an expert appraisal: a piece that merely looks antique won't qualify for preferential treatment without proof.
All of chapter 97The wording above is the Harmonized System nomenclature as published by the World Customs Organization, HS 2022 edition. It is a classification reference, not a tariff: it carries no duty rates, and it stops at six digits — the importing country adds its own beyond that.
Classification is decided by the General Rules of Interpretation and the section and chapter notes, and it is the importing country’s customs authority that makes it binding.
Shipping goods under 9704.00? A customs hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving — follow the container or the air waybill from departure to delivery.
Track a shipment9704.00 FAQ
9704.00 covers stamps, postage or revenue; stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper) and like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907. It sits under heading 97.04 (stamps, postage or revenue; stamp-postmarks, first-day covers, postal stationery (stamped paper) and like, used or unused, other than those of heading 4907) in chapter 97, Section XXI of the Harmonized System.
It is the international part of it. Six digits are the same in every country that applies the Harmonized System; the importing country then extends them to eight or ten for its own tariff and statistics. Declare 9704.00 plus whatever national digits the destination’s tariff schedule adds to it.
The General Rules of Interpretation, read together with the notes to Section XXI and to chapter 97. A description that reads right is not enough on its own — the notes routinely pull goods out of the chapter they obviously belong to and put them somewhere else. Where duty or licensing turns on the answer, ask the importing country’s customs authority for a binding ruling.
A wrong or missing code is one of the common reasons customs holds a container, and a hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving. Watch for it in the container tracking app, on the air waybill in the air cargo tracker, or through the tracking API.