HS Code:
Record sleeves, classified under HS Code 4819.50 (other packing containers, including record sleeves), are protective covers typically made of paper or cardboard used to store and protect vinyl records. This category includes both printed and unprinted sleeves and is part of the broader paper and paperboard product segment. These products are essential for the music industry, collectors, and vinyl enthusiasts, with demand tied to the resurgence of vinyl records as a popular medium for music consumption. Global trade in this category is influenced by manufacturing costs, raw material availability, and cultural trends favoring analog music formats.
Total Trade Volume
USD 50 million
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 15 million
30% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 10 million
20% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 8 million
16% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 5 million
10% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 4 million
8% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local paper industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU-US trade pacts)
Resurgence of Vinyl Records
Increased demand for record sleeves due to growing vinyl sales, especially in North America and Europe, driving trade volumes upward.
2020-2022
Shift to Sustainable Materials
Rising preference for eco-friendly and recyclable materials in record sleeve production, influencing sourcing and manufacturing locations.
2021-2023
Digital Printing Technology
Adoption of advanced printing technologies reducing costs and enabling customization, boosting competitiveness of smaller exporters.
2019-2022
The European Union introduced new regulations mandating that all paper-based record sleeves must contain at least 70% recycled content by 2025.
March 2023
Potential increase in production costs for non-compliant exporters, while benefiting manufacturers already using sustainable materials.
A revised trade agreement reduced tariffs on paper products, including record sleeves, from 7.5% to 3%, facilitating higher exports from China to the US.
January 2023
Expected growth in Chinese exports to the US market, potentially shifting trade balances.
Global vinyl record sales hit a 30-year high, with a direct correlation to increased demand for record sleeves reported by major manufacturers.
June 2022
Sustained growth in trade volume for record sleeves, especially in markets with strong vinyl cultures like the US and UK.