HS Code Heading

Uncoated paper and paperboard, used for writing, printing or other graphics, non perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular sheets, of any size, other than paper of heading 4801 or 4803; hand-made paper and paperboard

48.02 Heading
Section X — Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard; paper and paperboard and articles thereof

About HS Code 4802

Heading 4802 is a comprehensive and vital classification for "Uncoated paper and paperboard, used for writing, printing or other graphics, non perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular sheets, of any size, other than paper of heading 4801 or 4803; hand-made paper and paperboard." This extensive heading encompasses a vast array of uncoated papers designed for diverse graphic applications, explicitly excluding newsprint (4801) and tissue/towel stock (4803). Its scope includes high-quality bond paper, copier paper, offset paper, drawing paper, ledger paper, and various specialty papers, as well as hand-made paper, provided they are uncoated and presented in rolls or rectangular sheets of any size. The historical inclusion of non-perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper highlights its broad coverage of graphic communication materials. For trade compliance, understanding the specific characteristics such as grammage, brightness, and fiber composition is paramount, as these details often dictate sub-category classifications, affecting tariffs and trade regulations. This heading is central to the global stationery, publishing, and office supply industries, representing a massive volume of international trade in essential paper products. It firmly positions itself as a primary finished paper product within Chapter 48, distinguishing it from raw materials, waste, or highly specialized coated papers, and is a cornerstone of Section X's paper goods.

Products Under This Code

Copier paper, Laser printer paper, Inkjet printer paper, Bond paper, Offset printing paper, Drawing paper, Sketching paper, Ledger paper, Bank paper, Writing paper, Stationery paper, Uncoated bristol board, Uncoated index card stock, Uncoated cover stock, Uncoated book paper, Art paper (uncoated), Manuscript paper, Tracing paper (uncoated), Architectural drawing paper, Engineering drawing paper, Hand-made paper for art, Hand-made paper for stationery, Non-perforated punch-card stock, Punch tape paper (unperforated), Fine art printing paper (uncoated), Digital printing paper (uncoated), Business form paper (uncoated), Letterhead paper (uncoated)

Real World Examples

A major paper manufacturer in Indonesia exports vast quantities of A4-sized copier paper to office supply distributors across the Middle East and Africa, typically shipped in containers via ocean freight. Another scenario involves a Finnish mill supplying large rolls of uncoated offset printing paper to commercial printers in the United Kingdom and Germany, used for producing books, brochures, and marketing materials. Furthermore, a specialized artisan paper producer in Italy dispatches small consignments of high-quality hand-made paper to art supply stores and bespoke stationery companies in Japan and the United States, catering to niche markets for fine art and luxury writing materials.

Common Misclassification

A frequent error is confusing papers under 4802 with newsprint (4801) or specific coated papers (4810). While 4802 covers uncoated printing papers, 4801 is exclusively for newsprint, characterized by higher mechanical pulp content and specific use. The crucial differentiator for 4802 is its 'uncoated' nature; if any coating is present, it typically falls under 4810. Another common mistake is classifying paper that has been cut to specific shapes, folded, or already printed (e.g., pre-printed forms, notebooks, envelopes) under 4802; these would generally fall under later headings such as 4820 (stationery) or 4901 (printed matter). The 'in rolls or rectangular sheets' limitation is critical for correct classification here.

Subheadings 11

4802.10 Hand-made paper or paperboard 4802.20 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets 4802.40 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); wallpaper base, in rolls or sheets 4802.54 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weighing less than 40g/m2, in rolls or sheets 4802.55 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weighing 40g/m2 to 150g/m2, in rolls 4802.56 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weight 40-150g/m2, in sheets 435mm or less by 297mm or less (unfolded) 4802.57 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weight 40-150g/m2, n.e.c. in item no. 4802.55 or 4802.56 4802.58 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); printing, writing or graphic, 10% or less by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, weighing more than 150g/m2 4802.61 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); over 10% by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, in rolls 4802.62 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); over 10% by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, in sheets 435mm or less by 297mm or less (unfolded) 4802.69 Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); over 10% by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, other than rolls, other than sheets 435mm or less by 297mm or less (unfolded)

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.

Related Codes

48.01 Newsprint, in rolls or sheets 48.03 Tissue, towel, napkin stock or similar; for household or sanitary uses, cellulose wadding, webs of cellulose fibres, in rolls over 36cm in width or rectangular sheets with one side exceeding 36cm when unfolded 48.04 Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 48.05 Uncoated paper and paperboard n.e.c., in rolls or sheets 48.06 Vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, tracing papers, glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets 48.07 Composite paper and paperboard, (made by sticking layers together with an adhesive), not surface-coated or impregnated, whether or not internally reinforced, in rolls or sheets 48.08 Paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than paper of the kind described in heading 4803 48.09 Carbon paper, self copy paper, and other copying or transfer papers (including coated or impregnated paper for duplicator stencils or offset plates), whether or not printed, in rolls or sheets 48.10 Paper and paperboard, coated one or both sides with kaolin (china clay) or inorganic substances, with binder or not, no other coating, surface coloured or not, surface decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size 48.11 Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, coated, impregnated, covered, surface-coloured, decorated or printed, rolls or sheets, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810

Industry

This code belongs to the Paper & Printing industry.

Trade Overview

Major global producers and exporters of uncoated printing and writing papers include countries with extensive pulp and paper industries, such as Finland, Sweden, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, and China. Importers are widespread, encompassing virtually every country, with significant demand from regions with large office sectors, educational institutions, and publishing industries, including the EU, North America, and emerging markets in Asia and Africa. Trade agreements often provide preferential tariffs for these goods, but anti-dumping duties or countervailing measures can occasionally apply, particularly for high-volume commodity grades like copier paper, requiring traders to stay informed of specific country regulations and market conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 4802?

HS code 4802 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Uncoated paper and paperboard, used for writing, printing or other graphics, non perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular sheets, of any size, other than paper of heading 4801 or 4803; hand-made paper and paperboard. Heading 4802 is a comprehensive and vital classification for "Uncoated paper and paperboard, used for writing, printing or other graphics, non perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular sheets, of any size, other than paper of heading 4801 or 4803; hand-made paper and paperboard." This extensive heading encompasses a vast array of uncoated papers designed for diverse graphic applications, explicitly excluding newsprint (4801) and tissue/towel stock (4803). Its scope includes high-quality bond paper, copier paper, offset paper, drawing paper, ledger paper, and various specialty papers, as well as hand-made paper, provided they are uncoated and presented in rolls or rectangular sheets of any size. The historical inclusion of non-perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper highlights its broad coverage of graphic communication materials. For trade compliance, understanding the specific characteristics such as grammage, brightness, and fiber composition is paramount, as these details often dictate sub-category classifications, affecting tariffs and trade regulations. This heading is central to the global stationery, publishing, and office supply industries, representing a massive volume of international trade in essential paper products. It firmly positions itself as a primary finished paper product within Chapter 48, distinguishing it from raw materials, waste, or highly specialized coated papers, and is a cornerstone of Section X's paper goods.

What products fall under HS code 4802?

Copier paper, Laser printer paper, Inkjet printer paper, Bond paper, Offset printing paper, Drawing paper, Sketching paper, Ledger paper, Bank paper, Writing paper, Stationery paper, Uncoated bristol board, Uncoated index card stock, Uncoated cover stock, Uncoated book paper, Art paper (uncoated), Manuscript paper, Tracing paper (uncoated), Architectural drawing paper, Engineering drawing paper, Hand-made paper for art, Hand-made paper for stationery, Non-perforated punch-card stock, Punch tape paper (unperforated), Fine art printing paper (uncoated), Digital printing paper (uncoated), Business form paper (uncoated), Letterhead paper (uncoated)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 4802?

A frequent error is confusing papers under 4802 with newsprint (4801) or specific coated papers (4810). While 4802 covers uncoated printing papers, 4801 is exclusively for newsprint, characterized by higher mechanical pulp content and specific use. The crucial differentiator for 4802 is its 'uncoated' nature; if any coating is present, it typically falls under 4810. Another common mistake is classifying paper that has been cut to specific shapes, folded, or already printed (e.g., pre-printed forms, notebooks, envelopes) under 4802; these would generally fall under later headings such as 4820 (stationery) or 4901 (printed matter). The 'in rolls or rectangular sheets' limitation is critical for correct classification here.

Which countries trade the most under HS code 4802?

Major global producers and exporters of uncoated printing and writing papers include countries with extensive pulp and paper industries, such as Finland, Sweden, Canada, the United States, Brazil, Indonesia, and China. Importers are widespread, encompassing virtually every country, with significant demand from regions with large office sectors, educational institutions, and publishing industries, including the EU, North America, and emerging markets in Asia and Africa. Trade agreements often provide preferential tariffs for these goods, but anti-dumping duties or countervailing measures can occasionally apply, particularly for high-volume commodity grades like copier paper, requiring traders to stay informed of specific country regulations and market conditions.

How is HS code 4802 structured?

HS code 4802 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 48 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (48) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.