HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 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

What HS 48.11 covers

Heading 4811 serves as a broad and critical classification for a diverse range of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, and webs of cellulose fibers that have undergone various coating, impregnation, covering, surface-coloring, decorating, or printing processes. Crucially, this heading functions as a 'residual' category, encompassing all such treated papers *other than* those specifically detailed in 4803 (toilet paper, etc.), 4809 (carbon paper, self-copy paper), or 4810 (kaolin/inorganic coated paper). This vast scope includes papers treated for specific functional properties like water resistance, release properties, adhesive qualities, or barrier protection. Its significance in trade compliance lies in correctly identifying the specific treatment and its impact on the paper's characteristics, which dictates its end-use and tariff implications. This heading is essential for a multitude of industries, from food packaging and construction to medical applications and specialized printing. The boundaries are defined by what it explicitly excludes, making careful consideration of coating type and primary function paramount. This heading highlights the versatility of cellulose as a base material, transformed into high-value functional products within the broader context of Chapter 48, which covers paper and paperboard products.

Covers
  • Self-adhesive paper
  • Siliconized release paper
  • Polyethylene-coated paperboard
  • Waxed paper
  • Tarred paper
  • Asphalted paper
  • Gummed paper
  • Metallized paper
  • Laminated paper
  • Heat-sealable paper
  • Anti-slip paper
  • Waterproof paper
  • Greaseproof paper
  • Barrier-coated paper
  • PVC-coated paper
  • Thermal paper
  • Security paper
  • Sterile packaging paper
  • Food wrap paper (coated/impregnated)
  • Photographic paper (other than base)
  • Anti-corrosion paper
  • Anti-static paper
  • Conductive paper
  • Magnetic paper
  • Fluorescent paper.
Examples

A US food packaging company imports large rolls of polyethylene-coated paperboard from Canada to manufacture liquid food cartons, leveraging truck freight across the border under USMCA. A European medical supplies firm exports sterile packaging paper, coated for barrier protection, to Southeast Asia for medical device sterilization, primarily using ocean freight for bulk shipments. A Japanese label manufacturer imports siliconized release liner paper from Germany for the production of self-adhesive labels, typically via container ships across major trade routes.

Subheadings under 48.11 7

4811.10Paper and paperboard; tarred, bituminised or asphalted, in rolls or sheets, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 48104811.41Paper and paperboard; self-adhesive, in rolls or sheets, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 48104811.49Paper and paperboard; gummed or adhesive paper and paperboard (excluding self-adhesive), in rolls or sheets, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 48104811.51Paper and paperboard; coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), bleached, weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 48104811.59Paper and paperboard; coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), other than bleached and weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 48104811.60Paper and paperboard; coated, impregnated or covered with wax, paraffin wax, stearin, oil or glycerol, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 48104811.90Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of soft cellulose fibres; coated, impregnated, covered, surface-decorated or surface-coloured, n.e.c. in heading no. 4811, in rolls or sheets

25 Brazil NCM codes in heading 48.11 →

Codes often confused with 48.11

Common mistake. Misclassification often occurs when traders confuse 4811 goods with 4810, 4805, or even Chapter 39 (plastics). The primary distinction from 4810 is the *type* of coating; 4810 is limited to kaolin/inorganic. If the coating is plastic, wax, adhesive, or another organic substance, it falls under 4811. Confusion with 4805 arises if the paper is merely surface-colored or printed without significant functional coating. A critical mistake is classifying heavily coated papers as plastic articles (Chapter 39) if the paper component is still primary. If the paper functions as a mere carrier for a substantial plastic layer, Chapter 39 might apply, but if the paper retains its essential character, 4811 is correct.

48.10Paper 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 size48.05Uncoated paper and paperboard n.e.c., in rolls or sheets

Top exporters and importers of HS code 4811, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 4811 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 8.7% 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 Germany $3.6B
  2. 2 China $3.5B
  3. 3 United States $2.0B

World total: $22.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $2.0B
  2. 2 Germany $1.2B
  3. 3 Italy $1.1B

World total: $23.1B 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 48.11

What is HS code 4811?

HS code 4811 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: 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. Heading 4811 serves as a broad and critical classification for a diverse range of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, and webs of cellulose fibers that have undergone various coating, impregnation, covering, surface-coloring, decorating, or printing processes. Crucially, this heading functions as a 'residual' category, encompassing all such treated papers *other than* those specifically detailed in 4803 (toilet paper, etc.), 4809 (carbon paper, self-copy paper), or 4810 (kaolin/inorganic coated paper). This vast scope includes papers treated for specific functional properties like water resistance, release properties, adhesive qualities, or barrier protection. Its significance in trade compliance lies in correctly identifying the specific treatment and its impact on the paper's characteristics, which dictates its end-use and tariff implications. This heading is essential for a multitude of industries, from food packaging and construction to medical applications and specialized printing. The boundaries are defined by what it explicitly excludes, making careful consideration of coating type and primary function paramount. This heading highlights the versatility of cellulose as a base material, transformed into high-value functional products within the broader context of Chapter 48, which covers paper and paperboard products.

What products fall under HS code 4811?

Self-adhesive paper, siliconized release paper, polyethylene-coated paperboard, waxed paper, tarred paper, asphalted paper, gummed paper, metallized paper, laminated paper, heat-sealable paper, anti-slip paper, waterproof paper, greaseproof paper, barrier-coated paper, PVC-coated paper, thermal paper, security paper, sterile packaging paper, food wrap paper (coated/impregnated), photographic paper (other than base), anti-corrosion paper, anti-static paper, conductive paper, magnetic paper, fluorescent paper.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 4811?

Misclassification often occurs when traders confuse 4811 goods with 4810, 4805, or even Chapter 39 (plastics). The primary distinction from 4810 is the *type* of coating; 4810 is limited to kaolin/inorganic. If the coating is plastic, wax, adhesive, or another organic substance, it falls under 4811. Confusion with 4805 arises if the paper is merely surface-colored or printed without significant functional coating. A critical mistake is classifying heavily coated papers as plastic articles (Chapter 39) if the paper component is still primary. If the paper functions as a mere carrier for a substantial plastic layer, Chapter 39 might apply, but if the paper retains its essential character, 4811 is correct.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 4811?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 4811 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.6B, 16% of world exports), China ($3.5B) and the United States ($2.0B). World exports came to about $22.0B, 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 4811?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 4811 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.0B, 8.7% of world imports), Germany ($1.2B) and Italy ($1.1B). World imports came to about $23.1B, 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 4811 structured?

HS code 4811 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 48 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (48) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (11) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.