Tag Archives: code

WHAT DOES THE CODE ON THE BACK OF TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS MEAN

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The back of Topps baseball cards feature codes that provide a variety of informative details about each specific card. These codes have been used by Topps since the 1980s to help catalog and identify their baseball cards. There are multiple pieces of coded information printed on the back of each card that collectors and retailers can use to better understand what is depicted on the front of the card.

One of the most prominent codes is the series number, which is always listed as “S” followed by two or three digits. This indicates what specific series the card is from within a given year. For example, a card with code “S101” would be from the 101st series Topps released that year. Topps puts out multiple series annually, usually sequenced throughout the baseball season. By including the series number, the timeline and release schedule for when that card entered circulation is evident.

Another important code is the card number, listed as “N” and then three digits filled with leading zeros if needed. This number represents where the card falls numerically within its series. A card with code “N004” therefore would be the 4th card in that series. Card numbers are critical for collectors trying to complete full sets by series or for the entire year.

Some older Topps cards also have a production code providing factory details. Punched with initials or numbers, this code identifies which Topps plant manufactured the card and the shift/time of day it was made. While niche information, production codes satisfy the curiosity of advanced collectors.

Perhaps the most significant code for identifying players is the registered trademark player ID code. Since the late 1980s, Topps has trademarked© and coded the likenesses of MLB players under individual three-letter codes as a security measure against counterfeits. A card with player code “BER01” shows the front image is of pitcher Clayton Kershaw, with the “BER” uniquely representing him. Having copyrighted player codes helps Topps legally protect their baseball card property.

Lastly, the copyright date is displayed on the back with standard copyright symbol © followed by the year. This notation asserts Topps’ ownership rights over that card’s intellectual property and confirms the season it was officially released into the market. Collectively, all the coded metadata ensures each Topps baseball card can be precisely classified in the extensive lineup the company has produced since 1954.

Through consistent use of numeric and letter codes printed clearly on the reverse side, Topps enables easy organization and identification of individual cards for both casual collectors and serious hobbyists. The coded system provides essential details about production specifics, placement within sets and series, roster info for depicted players, copyright dates and more. It is a simple format that affords collectors a wealth of contextual insights into the cards that has kept the Topps Baseball brand a leading standard bearer in the sports card industry for more than sixty years running.

BASEBALL CARDS HS CODE

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Baseball cards are a beloved collectible item for many sports fans and collectors. As physical commodities that are traded and collected, baseball cards have their own classification within international trade systems. Specifically, baseball cards fall under a certain heading within the Harmonized System trade code used by many countries worldwide.

The Harmonized System (HS) is an international nomenclature for the classification of products. It allows participating countries to classify traded goods on a common basis for customs purposes. Within the HS, baseball cards are classified under heading 9504, which covers “Articles for funfair, table or parlour games, including pintables, billiards, special tables for casino games and automatic bowling alley equipment.”

More specifically, baseball cards fall under HS subheading 9504.90, which is for “Other” articles not specifically mentioned that are used for games and sports. This subheading includes a variety of collectibles and memorabilia beyond just baseball cards. For tariff and import/export documentation purposes, baseball card shipments would be classified under 9504.90. Baseball cards do not have their own distinct 10-digit code within the HS system.

Some key aspects of classifying baseball cards under HS 9504.90 include:

This classification applies to both single baseball cards as well as packs, boxes and full sets of cards. It covers the physical cardboard items regardless of any content.

The classification does not depend on the specific players, teams, years or any other card attributes. All baseball cards are treated the same for tariff purposes.

Items like sticker albums designed for collecting and displaying baseball cards would also fall under this heading since they are accessories to the baseball card collecting activity.

Digital images or files of baseball cards would not be classified here, as the HS only covers physical goods. Digital baseball card files would be intangible electronically transmitted data.

Tariffs may apply to imported baseball card shipments depending on the origin country and destination country’s trade policies and agreements. Using the HS code ensures consistent classification globally.

For export purposes, listing baseball cards under 9504.90 helps confirm what types of items are being shipped and their intended non-commercial, collectibles purpose for customs.

While the HS was designed with international trade in mind, it also provides useful guidance for understanding how different countries may regulate or tax baseball cards domestically. Some examples include:

In the United States, baseball cards are generally not subject to federal sales tax since they are classified as non-taxable collectibles. States may have different policies though.

European Union member countries apply the same import duty rates to baseball cards entering from non-EU origins based on the 9504.90 classification.

Countries with value-added or goods and services taxes would assess those on retail baseball card purchases based on this HS heading rather than treating them differently.

Laws and restrictions around the shipment and trading of certain collectibles would logically extend to baseball cards as well thanks to this clear international goods classification.

The Harmonized System’s 9504.90 subheading provides simple yet consistent global guidance for how countries should classify and potentially regulate baseball cards for trade, taxation and other statutory purposes. While a small detail, it helps establish baseball cards as legitimate collectibles and commodities in government systems and international frameworks.

DISCOUNT BASEBALL CARDS COUPON CODE

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Discount Baseball Cards Coupon Codes: How to Save Money on Your Collection

Baseball card collecting can be an expensive hobby if you’re constantly looking to expand your collection. Whether you’re a casual collector looking to build up your stash or a serious investor seeking rare finds, finding discount baseball cards coupon codes is a great way to stretch your budget further. With a little research, you can track down promo codes, cash back offers, loyalty programs and more that take a chunk off the price of your next card purchase.

Top Sites to Find Discount Codes

Some of the biggest online retailers for baseball cards offer regular discounts and coupon codes. Be sure to check these sites frequently for the latest deals:

Sportlots.com – One of the largest online marketplaces for buying and selling sports cards. They frequently run 10-15% off sitewide promo codes.

DA Card World – A baseball card superstore with physical locations as well. Sign up for their email list to get notified of flash sales and coupon codes for new releases.

Blowout Cards – Huge selection of new and vintage cards. Check their promos page for the current discount codes which are often “BOGO” or percentage off deals.

Steel City Collectibles – Specializes in vintage cards from the 50s-80s era. Offers rotating coupon codes for 10-20% discounts on orders over $50.

eBay – Use cash back portals like BeFrugal or TopCashBack before shopping on eBay to earn 5-10% back on qualifying card purchases.

COMC (Cards On Mounted Cards) – A popular consignment site where you can buy individual cards. Look for COMC10 codes.

Always check coupon aggregator sites like RetailMeNot and CouponCabin too for any additional promo codes not advertised on the retailers’ own sites. The codes are constantly changing so it pays to look around.

Cash Back Websites

Cash back sites offer rewards for shopping online through their portals. You can earn 1-10% back on purchases at major baseball card retailers when using certain cash back websites.

Some top options for earning rewards on your card hobby spending include:

BeFrugal: Earns up to 10% cash back at sites like Sportlots, COMC and Blowout Cards. Payouts are quarterly.

TopCashback: Often has 5-8% cash back offers for eBay, Steel City and DA Card World. Payouts every three months.

Rakuten: Formerly Ebates. Typically offers 3-5% back on card sites. Cash back is paid via PayPal every quarter.

Dosh: A mobile app that rounds up purchases to the nearest dollar and invests the difference for cash back rewards. Works at many online card shops.

Always activate the offer through the cash back site first before shopping to ensure you earn the proper rewards percentage. The cash back really adds up over multiple purchases.

Loyalty Programs and Rewards

Signing up for retailer loyalty programs is another way to save in the long run. Here are some of the top loyalty perks:

Sportlots VIP Program: Earn points on every purchase worth 1% cash back. Redeem points for 5% or 10% statement credits on future orders.

DA Card World MVP Program: Earn points for dollars spent that can be redeemed for gift cards or merchandise. Special member pricing and free shipping thresholds.

Blowout Cards Rewards Program: Earn “Blowout Bucks” with each purchase to use on later orders. Other benefits include exclusive access to new releases.

eBay Bucks: Earn 1-5% back in eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases, including from card sellers. Bucks can be used for statement credits.

Maximize rewards by linking your loyalty accounts to any cash back portals you shop through. You’ll start stacking savings in no time between discounts, cash back and rewards points.

Score Deals with Promo Code Bundles

Some retailers offer bigger savings when certain promo codes are combined. Keep an eye out for promotions like:

BOGO + 15% Off: “Buy one, get one free” deal plus an additional percentage taken off the entire order total.

Free Shipping + 20% Off: Spend threshold for free delivery is lowered while also slashing 20% from the subtotal.

$10 Off $50 + Cash Back: A dollar-off code to pair with cash back earned from shopping through reward portals.

Bundle Packages: Pre-selected lots of cards or supplies sold together at a discounted flat rate.

During major trading card release weekends, holidays or baseball season kickoffs are good times to look for stacked promo codes specials. Sign up for newsletters to get early access to combo deals.

Stay on Top of Flash Sales

Flash sales are unadvertised, limited-time promos that surface without notice. Sites use them to clear out inventory or launch new products.

The key is regularly checking retailer sites and social media feeds for flash sales. You may find:

50% Off Select Singles & Lots

BOGO on Wax Boxes & Hobby Boxes

Free Shipping No Minimum

Extra 15% Off Already-Reduced Items

Add items to your cart ahead of time and check out fast during the sale window which usually lasts 1-3 days. Set alerts to never miss out on these deep discount opportunities.

Secondary Market Savings

While it’s fun to rip packs, you can find great baseball card deals in the secondary market of individual cards for sale person-to-person:

COMC Consignment Marketplace: Individual vintage and modern cards priced lower than graded coin-op shops.

Facebook Groups: Join trading/selling communities and watch for members unloading team collections at below market value.

Local Card Shows: Vendors often offer better per-card pricing than online for buying in bulk. Haggle to save more.

Online Auctions: Sites like eBay let you put in max bids and sometimes snipe steals in the final seconds of auctions.

With diligence, you can build your collection significantly cheaper through the secondary markets versus retail.

By taking advantage of coupon codes, cash back rewards, loyalty programs, flash sales and secondary markets – you’ll be amazed at how much money adds up over time for your baseball card budget. Happy hunting!

HS TARIFF CODE FOR BASEBALL CARDS

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Baseball cards are a classic American collectible that millions enjoy collecting and trading. As a physical good that crosses international borders, baseball cards have a specific tariff code assigned by harmonized system (HS) for purposes of international trade and customs regulations. Understanding the correct HS code is important for importers and exporters of baseball cards to properly classify the goods and know what import duties may apply.

The HS code that applies to traditional baseball cards printed on cardboard stock is 4907.00.6000. This tariff line falls under Chapter 49 of Section X, which covers printed matter. More specifically, HS code 4907 covers unframed pictures, prints and photographs, excluding those classified in headings 4901 or 4903. The ‘6000’ six-digit suffix signifies that it applies to baseball cards.

This HS code would be used for traditional cardboard baseball cards featuring individual players, teams or league statistics printed for the purpose of collection and trading. It would not apply to items like gum cards still sealed in packaging, magnetic cards with special coatings, or high-end memorabilia cards made of unique materials. Those specialty items may be classified under different HS codes depending on their precise composition and intended use.

Understanding the composition of goods is key to proper HS classification. Baseball cards classified under 4907.00.6000 are typically made of paperboard or other paper pulps fused together to form a stiff cardboard. The cards feature printed images, stats and information about players or teams on one or both sides. Many vintage cards also included gum or candy promotions. Modern mass-produced hobby boxes of baseball cards packaged for trading/collecting purposes would also be classified here.

Knowing the HS code allows importers or exporters to search international trade databases for tariff rates, quotas and other regulatory requirements that may impact the movement of baseball cards across borders. For the United States, the MFN (most-favored-nation) tariff rate associated with HS code 4907.00.6000 is Free. This means no import duty would typically be assessed on cardboard baseball cards entering the US market from World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries with whom the US has normal trade relations.

It’s important to check for any non-tariff barriers or other import regulations likerules of origin that still must be followed. For example, under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), cardboard baseball cards would need to meet regional value content rules to qualify for preferential tariff treatment between the three economies. Not meeting rules of origin could result in the full MFN tariff rate being applied instead of the lower or duty-free preferential rate.

Certain destinations may have quotas or limitations on the quantity or value of baseball cards that can be imported annually without incurring over-quota duties. Countries may also maintain prohibitions or restrictions on the importation of goods for various regulatory, ethical or inspection standards reasons as well. It’s important for traders to do thorough research on destination-specific import policies beyond merely identifying the applicable HS code.

On the export side, the US levies no export duties on cardboard baseball cards shipped abroad. However,Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs) located at major US seaports or near borders are sometimes utilized by companies conducting international trade in baseball cards and other collectibles. FTZs enable the status of imported goods to be manipulated to delay, reduce or eliminate customs duties and import procedures until the item officially enters US customs territory for domestic consumption.

For example, a US baseball card manufacturer may import raw card stock, components or promotional materials for assembly into finished baseball card product within a bonded FTZ warehouse area. Periodic inventory counts and paperwork are required to monitor international transactions occurring within special trade zones that exist outside normal customs boundaries. But FTZ use can streamline logistics and provide substantial duty savings compared to clearing customs traditionally and then exporting finished goods.

The standard HS code of 4907.00.6000 covers traditionally produced cardboard baseball cards shipped globally for collection and trading purposes. Understanding this code, its associated tariff treatment under relevant trade agreements and any destination-specific rules helps companies import and export baseball cards compliantly. While a niche hobby product, billions are still spent annually on baseball cards worldwide making them an economically-meaningful good demanding proper international trade compliance. Knowledge of the applicable HS code is the starting point for staying on top of customs regulations impacting the cross-border baseball card trade.