HS Code:
The 'Fittings for loose-leaf binders or files' category, classified under HS Code 8305.10, includes metal fittings, mounts, and similar articles used for assembling and organizing loose-leaf binders, files, or similar stationery products. These fittings are essential components in office supplies, enabling the secure storage and organization of documents. This category is part of the broader classification of miscellaneous articles of base metal and is widely used in educational, corporate, and personal settings globally.
Total Trade Volume
USD 250 million
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (imposed by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA)
Shift towards sustainable materials
Manufacturers are increasingly using recycled metals and eco-friendly coatings, driven by demand from environmentally conscious consumers and regulations in Europe and North America.
2021-2023
Digitalization reducing demand
The rise of digital document storage solutions is decreasing the demand for physical binders and fittings, particularly in developed markets.
2020-2022
Growth in e-commerce for office supplies
Increased online sales channels have boosted the accessibility of binder fittings, especially for small and medium enterprises, driving trade volume in Asia-Pacific regions.
2021-2023
The European Union imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on imports of fittings for loose-leaf binders from China, citing unfair pricing practices that harm domestic producers.
March 2023
This has led to a shift in sourcing to other Asian countries like Vietnam and Taiwan, increasing costs for EU importers in the short term.
Updates to the USMCA agreement have reduced tariffs on binder fittings between the US, Canada, and Mexico, promoting intra-regional trade.
January 2023
This has encouraged US companies to source fittings from Mexico, reducing reliance on Asian imports.
Several leading manufacturers in Germany and Japan introduced modular and customizable binder fittings to cater to niche markets like premium stationery.
June 2022
This has created a small but growing high-value segment, offsetting some declines in traditional bulk markets.