Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countries
8 declarable lines
Heading 9809 covers public documents issued at the instance and expense of a foreign government, political subdivision, or international organization, plus certain articles connected with foreign governments, foreign armed forces, and official noncommercial use in the United States. It is split by specific use or recipient, such as public documents, State Department requested office supplies, foreign armed forces articles, noncommercial property, prosthetics, headstones, gifts to U.S. government bodies, and free-distribution printed matter. All listed subheadings carry a general (MFN) rate of Free.
Products in this heading
- Microfilm or microfiche copies of foreign government public documents
- Recorded video tapes or sound recordings issued by a foreign government
- Office supplies requested by the Department of State for a foreign diplomat on duty in the United States
- Equipment for a foreign country's armed forces on duty in the United States
- Noncommercial exhibition materials owned by a foreign government
- Prosthetic appliances furnished by a foreign government to its former armed forces members living in the United States
- Headstones furnished by a foreign government for war veteran graves in the United States
- Printed matter with no advertising for free distribution
How to choose the right subheading
- Identify whether the importer or owner is a foreign government, political subdivision, international organization, or foreign armed forces unit.
- Match the specific use: public documents, official supplies, noncommercial property, gifts, prosthetics, headstones, or free printed matter.
- For 9809.00.40, confirm the goods remain the property of the foreign government or organization and are used only in noncommercial functions.
- For 9809.00.20, look for a Department of State request for office supplies and equipment for foreign representatives or international organization personnel.
- For 9809.00.80, confirm the printed matter has no advertising and is for free distribution.
Often confused with
- Heading 4901Commercial brochures or books with advertising, not issued by a foreign government
Ordinary printed matter is classified in heading 4901, not as foreign government public documents.
- Heading 9807Medals or trophies for bestowal in the United States by a foreign country
Heading 9807 covers articles of metal for honorary distinctions, not general foreign government articles.
- Heading 9804Personal and household effects of an arriving traveler
Heading 9804 covers traveler importations, not official foreign government use.
- Heading 9808Articles for the use of a U.S. Government agency
Heading 9808 covers U.S. Government agency use, not foreign government use.
- Heading 9812Articles imported for exhibition by an arts or science institution
Heading 9812 covers institutional exhibitions, not foreign government noncommercial property.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for foreign government public documents on microfilm?
Use 9809.00.10; the general (MFN) rate is Free.
What is the duty on a gift from a foreign government to a U.S. public institution?
Gifts for presentation to the U.S. Government, a State or local government, or a U.S. public institution are classified under 9809.00.70; the general (MFN) rate is Free.
How do I classify printed matter with no advertising for free distribution?
Printed matter with no advertising matter for free distribution is classified under 9809.00.80; the general (MFN) rate is Free.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.
All lines in heading 9809
- 9809.00.10Public documents, whether or not in the form of microfilm, microfiches, or similar film media (including exposed and developed motion picture and other films, recorded video tapes and sound recordings) issued essentially at the instance and expense of a foreign government, of a political subdivision of a foreign country or of an international organization the membership of which includes two or more foreign countriesFree
- 9809.00.20Upon the request of the Department of State, office supplies and equipment and other articles for the official use of representatives of foreign governments or of personnel of public international organizations, on duty in the United StatesFree
- 9809.00.30Articles for the official use of members of the armed forces of any foreign country on duty in the United StatesFree
- 9809.00.40Articles which, while in the United States, will remain the property of such government or of such organization and will be used only in connection with noncommercial functions of such government or of such organization, including exhibitions which are sponsored by or participated in by such government or such organization and which are not commercial in character or connected with commercial undertakingsFree
- 9809.00.50Prosthetic appliances furnished by a foreign government to former members of its armed forces who reside in the United StatesFree
- 9809.00.60Headstones furnished by a foreign government for graves of its war veterans buried in the United StatesFree
- 9809.00.70Articles for presentation as gifts to the United States Government, to any State or local government or to any public institution organized in the United StatesFree
- 9809.00.80Printed matter, not containing advertising matter, for free distributionFree