HS Code for Backpacks: Complete Guide for International Trading

Backpacks are a type of bag that can hold various items in one place and are easy to carry, often carried on the back. Backpacks can be used for school, work, sports, travel, and even outdoor activities. Backpacks are a popular item not only in one country but also in almost every country in the world. Therefore, it’s no surprise that backpacks are also traded internationally. By trading backpacks internationally, traders can reach a much wider market and gain more knowledge about raw materials from other countries. Considering this fact, HS Codes play a crucial role for exporters and importers in international trade. This article discusses the HS Code for backpacks, its classification, its importance, and the key players in international trade.

HS Code for Backpacks

The Harmonized System, or HS, is a system used to classify goods sold or purchased globally. This system is controlled by the World Customs Organization (WCO). The HS code for backpacks consists of six digits, with the first and second digits describing the general category of the product, the third and fourth digits describing the main type of product, and the last two digits indicating the specific type of backpack.

For example, HS 4202.91/92 can be explained as follows,

• The number 42, belongs to the Chapter that shows the general category of the product or bags, such as travel goods, handbags, and similar containers.
• The number 4202, describing the type of product or bags, such as suitcases, briefcases, backpacks, and similar containers.
• The number 91/92, indicates the specific material of backpacks. 

Even though countries involved in international trade have the freedom to add two to four additional digits to the HS Code for national tariff classification purposes, the first six digits remain internationally standardized. It is important to know the correct HS code in international backpack trade to avoid inflated tariff costs, goods being held up at customs, and the imposition of sanctions on exporters and importers.

WCO Classification: HS Code for Backpacks

Referring to the previous explanation, WCO in the Explanatory Notes explains that backpacks are in the HS Code Chapter 42 classification, which includes travel goods and similar containers. Under WCO regulations, backpacks are differentiated based on the materials they are made from. 

• If the HS code required for leather backpacks is HS 4202.91.
• If the backpacks being traded are made of plastic or textile materials, the HS code is HS 4202.92.

Both HS codes are the official WCO standards, which are the reference in the international backpack trade.

5 Top Countries: International Backpacks Trade 

Many people consider China to be the largest backpack exporter due to its low production costs and large volumes. But is this true? We will examine the 2024 UN Comtrade Database to find out who the world’s five largest backpack exporters really are.

HS 4202.91 (For leather backpacks)

Country	Total Export Value (USD)
France	326,620,412
Italy	275,605,929
China	131,670,531
Germany	110,743,778
Singapore	91,186,766

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed December 20, 2025

HS 4202.92 (For plastic/textile backpacks)

Country	Total Export Value (USD)
China	10,167,640,500
Germany	1,002,114,649
France	960,582,902
Indonesia	776,656,546
Netherlands	600,848,812

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed December 20, 2025

All of the above data indicate that exports of leather backpacks are not as high as exports of plastic or textile backpacks.

• China ranks third in exports of leather backpacks, but tops the list in exports of plastic/textile backpacks, with a total export value far surpassing that of the other four countries. China dominates global plastic/textile backpack exports by 9-15 times.
• France and Germany are two countries that consistently rank among the top five exporters of backpacks, both made from leather and plastic/textile materials.
• Indonesia and Singapore, both in Southeast Asia, are also among the top five exporters of backpacks. Singapore is the fifth largest exporter of leather backpacks, while Indonesia is the fourth largest exporter of plastic/textile backpacks.

The UN Comtrade Database also identifies five of the world’s largest backpacks importing countries. 

HS 4202.91 (For leather backpacks)

Country	Total Import Value (USD)
Japan	1,018,703,825
United States	755,132,726
China	170,995,485
France	139,473,765
Germany	129,110,692

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed December 20, 2025

HS 4202.92 (For plastic/textile backpacks)

Country	Total Import Value (USD)
United States	4,605,513,007
Japan	2,617,658,938
Germany	1,504,136,741
France	1,150,789,692
United Kingdom	762,191,437

Source: UN Comtrade Database, accessed December 20, 2025

The United States, several European countries–Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and China are the five largest backpack importing countries.

Japan, as a country in East Asia, ranks first as the largest importer of leather backpacks and second as the largest importer of plastic or textile backpacks. This is because backpacks in Japan are not only functional items for school and work, but also lifestyle items. Another important reason is that Japan is also more focused on developing its technology industry, rather than consumer goods like backpacks.

The How: Find HS code for backpacks with HS Code Match

Exporters and importers need to learn how to find, determine, and set the HS Tariff Code for backpacks. Follow these steps.

• First step: To find the HS Code for backpacks, access an external site like hscodematch.com  or another official search engine.

• Second step: Describe the backpacks in detail to obtain the correct HS code. For example, the material of the backpack must be clearly stated – whether it is leather, plastic/textile, or a combination of both. 

Understand the classification in detail, specific features, such as laptop compartment, raincoat pocket or charger pocket, and various other types and sizes of pockets need to be carefully considered. It’s also important to consider the backpack’s function at this stage. Whether it’s for school, work, sports, or travel, select your country of origin and destination. Next, press the search button. The example below refers to leather school backpacks from France to Japan. 

• Third Step: Several HS Code options will appear. Select the one that best describes the backpacks you intend to trade internationally. Pay attention to the number of digits. The international HS code consists of only six digits. Any additional digits are usually the country-specific code for the export destination.

• Fourth Step: After selecting your HS code, click to view the details, including the import duty rate. An example is shown below. 

• Fifth Step: Use the AI ​​Assistant facility to answer various questions about detailed import duty rates, government regulations, and other aspects of the international trade process. One of the HS Codes for leather school backpacks from France to Japan is HS 420291000. The following is an explanation of the tariff costs for HS code 420291000 that Japan imposed on France for exporting leather school backpacks.
  • First, Most Favored Nation (MFN) 10%. So, if it says MFN 10%, it means Japan’s normal import tariff is 10 percent.
  • Then, it says MFN 10%, Non-preferential regime of Japan, which means the 10% import tariff also applies to countries that do not have a specific trade agreement with Japan.
  • The preferential tariff listed at the bottom is 3.6%, which is lower than the Most Favored Nation (MFN) tariff. This preferential tariff applies to goods entering Japan if the exporting country has a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan.
    This explains that European Union member countries have a free trade agreement with Japan called the EPA (EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement). France is included in this agreement. Therefore, for imports of school backpacks with a leather outer surface, France may receive this low preferential tariff. However, it must comply with the rules of origin set out in the EPA or the EPA’s original documentation. If this is not observed or followed, the applicable MFN tariff remains 10%.

• Sixth Step: Use the chatbot feature provided by an external site like hscodematch.com   to help overcome confusion in determining the correct HS code.

Here are some examples of questions and answers using AI chatbots on
HS Code Match about exporting leather school backpacks from France to Japan.

First question: Is HS Tariff Code 420291000 correct for leather school backpacks from France to Japan, because the explanation does not explicitly state the backpack product?
Answer: The chatbot from an external site like hscodematch.com confirmed that HS Tariff Code 420291000 is the most suitable HS Code for leather school backpacks from France to Japan. This is because the primary material and function are two detailed factors the HS system considers when determining or assigning HS codes, even though the word “backpacks” is not explicitly mentioned. Here is the table of explanation of tariff rate from France to Japan charged for HS 420291000:

HS code	Description of product	Tariff Rate	Type of Duty
420291000	Leather outer surface backpacks	3,8%	Preferential tariff based on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
420291000	Leather outer surface backpacks	10%	Non-preferential tariff or Most Favored Nation (MFN)

Second question: Why could HS 420221110 and HS 420221210 be HS code options for leather school backpacks from France to Japan? Isn’t the standard 6-digit HS code for leather backpacks 420291?
Answer: The chatbot replied that it was true that the basic classification for leather school backpacks had a 6-digit HS code, 420291. However, HS Codes 420221110
and 420221210 were more specific 8-digit HS codes based on each country’s (national) tariff system. However, this still didn’t change the fundamentals of the leather backpacks. The following is a detailed explanation to differentiate the HS code types for leather school backpacks.

leather/composition leather bag category, which includes school bags and backpacks	Description of product	Suitability for leather backpacks
420291	leather/composition leather bag category which includes school bags and backpacks	Standard classification of leather backpacks (8-digit)
420221110	Specific sub-heading for backpack type school bags with outer surfaces made of leather	A more detailed classification for backpacks with a leather outer surface.
420221210	Specific sub-heading for similar school backpacks that have a leather exterior and are equipped with additional features or designs.	Detailed classification according to design and function

So, if you’re searching for the HS code for leather school backpacks, the most suitable one is 420291000. HS code 420221110 is for school backpacks with only the surface made of leather, not the entire thing. Meanwhile, HS 420221210 is the HS code for school backpacks with various additional special designs. Therefore, finding the right HS code really depends on the exporter. The more specific the explanation written in the second step above, the clearer the HS code will be obtained through the third-party website from Jureem called HS Code Match.

Third question: What practical steps could help France obtain the 3.6% preferential tariff? Isn’t France a member of the European Union (EU)?
Answer: For HS 420291000, France, as a member of the European Union with an FTA, can receive a preferential tariff of 3.6%. However, this is not necessarily the case. France, as an exporter of school backpacks with a leather outer surface, needs to consider whether this product meets the rules of origin (CTH – Change in Tariff Heading, RVC – Regional Value Content of at least 55% – 60%), a valid Statement of Origin, stipulated in the trade agreement between EU member states and Japan. The preferential tariff will be void if any of these requirements are not met. The following is a brief summary explanation via a table.

Tariff Rate	Tariff Regime	HS Code	Origin Rules	Period of Validity
3,8%	Preferential tariff (FTA)	420291000	CTH and RVC at least 55% – 60%	Effective from February 1, 2019.
10%	Non-preferential or MFN	420291000	No special conditions	Not stated / not clearly specified.

Conclusion

International backpack traders desperately need knowledge about HS codes. Keeping HS codes in mind can help them determine the tariff rates required for international trade. External applications such as Jureem and HS Code Match (hscodematch.com) can help international traders easily find the correct HS codes for their international products, in this case, backpacks. Furthermore, through these applications, which include AI Assistant and chatbot features, international traders can freely ask questions to ensure all matters related to the international trade process, especially regarding importing country regulations that are closely related to applicable tariff policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the HS code for Backpacks

1. Does the material for backpacks affected HS code?

Yes, further classification of backpacks from the WTO differentiates into two types of materials: leather or plastic/textile materials. Individual traders determine which material to use. HS code 420291 is for leather backpacks, and HS code 420292 is for plastic/textile backpacks.

2. What is the HS code for leather school backpacks for exporting to Japan? 

The HS code for suitcases, briefcases, backpacks, and similar containers, including school backpacks, is 4202. The next two digits are based on the backpack’s material, whether it’s plastic/textile or leather. In this case, if the school backpacks in question are made of leather, the HS code is 420291. Therefore, leather school backpacks exported to Japan would have the HS code 420291000.

3. Why are there other HS code options for leather school backpacks besides 420291?

The basic classification (HS code) for leather school backpacks is 420291. Moreover, if you encounter a different HS Code than this or an 8-digit one, it could be due to each country’s tariff system. In fact, it depends on the details of the material type (whether it’s a mix of leather, plastic, or textiles) and even the design details.

4. What is the tariff applied to imported leather school backpacks from France to Japan? 

Two types of tariff policies apply to importing leather school backpacks from France to Japan. The Most Favored Nation (MFN) rate is 10%, which means the import tariff applies to all countries, even if they have no specific trade agreement with Japan. This is Japan’s standard import tariff. Then, preferential rates are 3.6%, which applies to goods entering Japan if the exporting country has a free trade agreement (FTA) with Japan, called the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

5. Is there a quick way to find the HS Code for backpacks?

You can use external sites like hscodematch.com to help you find the HS code for backpacks. Then describe the product in detail. Please be mindful of the country of origin and destination, and also look at the national regulations that apply in that country.