HS Code:
The Binder category, often classified under HS Code 4820 (which includes notebooks, binders, folders, and similar stationery articles of paper or paperboard), encompasses a wide range of products used for organizing and storing documents. These products are essential in educational, office, and personal settings. The category includes ring binders, clipboards, and file folders, among others. Global trade in this category is driven by demand in educational institutions, corporate sectors, and individual consumers, with significant production in countries with strong paper and stationery industries.
Total Trade Volume
USD 3.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 1.2 billion
34.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 450 million
12.9% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 400 million
11.4% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 300 million
8.6% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 250 million
7.1% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as USMCA and EU-Japan EPA)
Shift towards eco-friendly materials
Increased demand for binders made from recycled paper and biodegradable plastics due to environmental concerns and regulations.
2021-2022
Digitalization reducing demand
Growing adoption of digital tools for document management has slightly reduced demand for physical binders in developed markets.
2020-2022
Rising demand in emerging markets
Increased educational and corporate activities in countries like India and Brazil are driving higher demand for affordable binder products.
2019-2022
The European Union introduced stricter regulations on the use of non-recyclable materials in stationery products, including binders, effective from mid-2023.
June 2023
Manufacturers may face higher production costs, potentially increasing prices in the EU market, but this also opens opportunities for eco-friendly product lines.
A partial reduction in tariffs on stationery products, including binders, was agreed upon in a recent trade negotiation, easing export costs for Chinese manufacturers.
March 2023
This is expected to boost Chinese exports to the US, potentially increasing market competition and lowering prices for consumers.
With remote working becoming a norm in many regions, there has been a slight decline in corporate demand for binders, while personal use for home offices has risen.
January 2023
Manufacturers are pivoting towards smaller, home-use binder designs to cater to this new segment of consumers.