HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 4818.20 – Paper articles; handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels

HS code 4818.20 is the 6-digit subheading for paper articles, handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels. It is used for facial tissues, paper handkerchiefs, kitchen paper towels, industrial paper wipes and medical examination paper towels.

What HS 4818.20 covers

This category encompasses a broad range of disposable paper products vital for personal hygiene and general cleaning, including handkerchiefs, facial tissues, and paper towels. These items are in constant global demand across households, commercial establishments, and healthcare settings. International trade is characterized by large-scale manufacturing and sophisticated distribution networks, often involving multinational consumer goods corporations. Importers include major retail chains, hospitality sectors, and healthcare facilities, while exporters leverage economies of scale in pulp and paper production. Key competitive factors in this market include absorbency, softness, strength, and increasingly, the use of recycled or sustainably sourced materials, reflecting growing consumer and regulatory environmental concerns.

Covers
  • Facial tissues
  • Paper handkerchiefs
  • Kitchen paper towels
  • Industrial paper wipes
  • Medical examination paper towels
  • Bathroom hand towels (paper)
  • Paper napkins (for personal use)
Examples
  • Kleenex Tissues
  • Bounty Paper Towels
  • Viva Paper Towels
  • Puffs Plus Lotion Tissues
  • Scott Multifold Paper Towels

Codes often confused with 4818.20

Common mistake. Can be confused with 4803.00 (toilet or facial tissue stock) if in bulk rolls for conversion, or 4823.90 (other paper articles) if the specific function isn't clearly 'handkerchiefs, tissues, or towels'.

4803.00Tissue, towel, napkin stock or similar; for household or sanitary use, cellulose, wadding webs of cellulose fibres, in rolls exceeding 36cm in width or rectangular sheets with one side more than 36cm in unfolded state4823.90Paper pulp, paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 4823

Top exporters and importers of HS code 481820, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 481820 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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 China $994M
  2. 2 Germany $803M
  3. 3 Italy $727M

World total: $6.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $667M
  2. 2 Germany $585M
  3. 3 France $420M

World total: $6.3B 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 code for 4818.20

Brazil does not split HS 4818.20: its NCM code is 4818.20.00.

  1. 4818.20.00 Paper handkerchiefs, facial tissues and towelsLenços, lenços (toalhitas) demaquilantes e toalhas de mão

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 48.18 →

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 4818.20

What is HS code 481820?

HS code 481820 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Paper articles; handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels. This category encompasses a broad range of disposable paper products vital for personal hygiene and general cleaning, including handkerchiefs, facial tissues, and paper towels. These items are in constant global demand across households, commercial establishments, and healthcare settings. International trade is characterized by large-scale manufacturing and sophisticated distribution networks, often involving multinational consumer goods corporations. Importers include major retail chains, hospitality sectors, and healthcare facilities, while exporters leverage economies of scale in pulp and paper production. Key competitive factors in this market include absorbency, softness, strength, and increasingly, the use of recycled or sustainably sourced materials, reflecting growing consumer and regulatory environmental concerns.

What products fall under HS code 481820?

Facial tissues, paper handkerchiefs, kitchen paper towels, industrial paper wipes, medical examination paper towels, bathroom hand towels (paper), paper napkins (for personal use)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 481820?

Can be confused with 4803.00 (toilet or facial tissue stock) if in bulk rolls for conversion, or 4823.90 (other paper articles) if the specific function isn't clearly 'handkerchiefs, tissues, or towels'.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 481820?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 481820 in UN Comtrade data were China ($994M, 16% of world exports), Germany ($803M) and Italy ($727M). World exports came to about $6.4B, 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 481820?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 481820 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($667M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($585M) and France ($420M). World imports came to about $6.3B, 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.

How is HS code 481820 structured?

HS code 481820 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (48) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (18) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 481820?

In Brazil, HS code 481820 is NCM 4818.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.