HS Code:
Lithographs on paper or paperboard, classified under HS Code 4911.91, encompass printed images produced through the lithographic process, a method of printing based on the repulsion of oil and water. This category includes art prints, posters, and other decorative or commercial prints on paper or paperboard, often valued for their aesthetic appeal or as collectible items. These products are traded globally, with demand driven by art markets, interior design industries, and commercial printing sectors. The trade of lithographs is influenced by cultural trends, intellectual property regulations, and varying tariff structures across countries.
Total Trade Volume
USD 250 million
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 60 million
24% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 45 million
18% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 30 million
12% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 25 million
10% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 20 million
8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local printing industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU internal trade or USMCA)
Rising demand for limited-edition art prints
Increased trade volume in high-value lithographs, especially in North America and Europe, driven by collectors and art enthusiasts
2021-2022
Digital printing technologies impacting traditional lithography
Shift towards hybrid printing methods, reducing costs but challenging traditional lithograph markets in terms of authenticity and value
2020-2022
Growth in e-commerce platforms for art sales
Expanded global reach for lithograph producers, particularly benefiting small-scale artists and exporters from emerging markets
2019-2022
The European Union updated its regulations on the import of cultural goods, including lithographs, requiring more detailed provenance documentation to combat illicit trade.
June 2022
Increased compliance costs for exporters to the EU but improved market transparency and trust in authentic lithographs.
A bilateral agreement reduced tariffs on certain art categories, including lithographs, as part of broader trade negotiations between the US and China.
January 2023
Boosted trade volumes between the two countries, with Chinese exporters gaining better access to the US market.
A growing trend of linking physical lithographs to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) for proof of ownership and authenticity emerged in major art markets.
Late 2022
Created a niche but rapidly growing segment, attracting tech-savvy collectors and increasing the value of digitally certified lithographs.