HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 48.02 – 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

What HS 48.02 covers

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.

Covers
  • 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)
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.

Subheadings under 48.02 11

4802.10Hand-made paper or paperboard4802.20Uncoated 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 sheets4802.40Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); wallpaper base, in rolls or sheets4802.54Uncoated 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 sheets4802.55Uncoated 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 rolls4802.56Uncoated 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)4802.57Uncoated 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 4802.564802.58Uncoated 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/m24802.61Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803); over 10% by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibre, in rolls4802.62Uncoated 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)4802.69Uncoated 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)

38 Brazil NCM codes in heading 48.02 →

Codes often confused with 48.02

Common mistake. 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.

48.01Newsprint, in rolls or sheets48.10Paper 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 size48.20Registers, account books, diaries and similar; albums for samples or collections, of paper or paperboard49.01Printed books, brochures, leaflets and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets

Top exporters and importers of HS code 4802, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 4802 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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. 1 Indonesia $2.0B
  2. 2 Germany $1.5B
  3. 3 Sweden $1.3B

World total: $15.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $2.0B
  2. 2 Germany $1.4B
  3. 3 United Kingdom $811M

World total: $16.9B 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.

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 48.02

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 are the top exporters of goods under HS code 4802?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 4802 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($2.0B, 13% of world exports), Germany ($1.5B) and Sweden ($1.3B). World exports came to about $15.7B, 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 4802?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 4802 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.0B, 12% of world imports), Germany ($1.4B) and the United Kingdom ($811M). World imports came to about $16.9B, 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 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.