HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4703.21 – Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood
HS code 4703.21 is the 6-digit subheading for wood pulp, chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood. It is used for bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP), northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK), southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK), printing paper pulp and tissue paper pulp.
What HS 4703.21 covers
This category covers semi-bleached or bleached chemical wood pulp, produced by the soda or sulphate (kraft) process, specifically from coniferous wood, and not of dissolving grades. Known as bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP), this pulp combines the inherent strength of softwood fibers with enhanced brightness and purity due to the bleaching process. It is a premium raw material for high-quality printing and writing papers, tissue products, and certain cartonboards. Major producers are located in countries with vast softwood forests, such as Canada, the USA, and the Nordic nations. Demand comes from paper mills globally, particularly in Asia and Europe, seeking its superior aesthetic and functional properties. Environmental considerations and adherence to regulations like EUDR and EUTR are increasingly important in its international trade.
- Covers
- Bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP)
- Northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK)
- Southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK)
- Printing paper pulp
- Tissue paper pulp
- Specialty paper pulp
- White top liner pulp
- Cartonboard pulp
- Examples
- Resolute Forest Products (BSKP)
- Canfor Pulp
- Mercer International
- Södra Cell
- Metsä Fibre (NBSK)
Codes often confused with 4703.21
Common mistake. Frequently confused with unbleached coniferous pulp (470311) or bleached non-coniferous pulp (470329), as the distinction hinges on both the bleaching status (semi-bleached/bleached) and the wood type (coniferous).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 470321, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 470321 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $4.3B 27% of world exports
- 2 Canada $3.2B 19% of world exports
- 3 Finland $2.5B 15% of world exports
World total: $16.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $6.4B 37% of world imports
- 2 United States $1.8B 10% of world imports
- 3 Germany $762M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $17.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 4703.21 2
Brazil splits HS 4703.21 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 4703.21.10 (Semi-)bleached conifer soda/sulphate pulp, rollsEm rolos
- 4703.21.90 Other (semi-)bleached conifer soda/sulphate pulpOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 47.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
This product is covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), requiring operators to exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.
Questions about HS 4703.21
What is HS code 470321?
HS code 470321 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), semi-bleached or bleached, of coniferous wood. This category covers semi-bleached or bleached chemical wood pulp, produced by the soda or sulphate (kraft) process, specifically from coniferous wood, and not of dissolving grades. Known as bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP), this pulp combines the inherent strength of softwood fibers with enhanced brightness and purity due to the bleaching process. It is a premium raw material for high-quality printing and writing papers, tissue products, and certain cartonboards. Major producers are located in countries with vast softwood forests, such as Canada, the USA, and the Nordic nations. Demand comes from paper mills globally, particularly in Asia and Europe, seeking its superior aesthetic and functional properties. Environmental considerations and adherence to regulations like EUDR and EUTR are increasingly important in its international trade.
What products fall under HS code 470321?
Bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP), Northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK), Southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK), Printing paper pulp, Tissue paper pulp, Specialty paper pulp, White top liner pulp, Cartonboard pulp
What are common misclassifications for HS code 470321?
Frequently confused with unbleached coniferous pulp (470311) or bleached non-coniferous pulp (470329), as the distinction hinges on both the bleaching status (semi-bleached/bleached) and the wood type (coniferous).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 470321?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 470321 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($4.3B, 27% of world exports), Canada ($3.2B) and Finland ($2.5B). World exports came to about $16.3B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 470321?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 470321 in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.4B, 37% of world imports), the United States ($1.8B) and Germany ($762M). World imports came to about $17.2B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 470321 structured?
HS code 470321 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (47) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 470321?
Brazil splits HS code 470321 into 2 NCM codes: 4703.21.10 ((Semi-)bleached conifer soda/sulphate pulp, rolls), 4703.21.90 (Other (semi-)bleached conifer soda/sulphate pulp). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.