HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4818.50 – Paper articles; apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres
HS code 4818.50 is the 6-digit subheading for paper articles, apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres. It is used for disposable patient gowns, paper lab coats, disposable shoe covers, paper chef hats and disposable aprons.
What HS 4818.50 covers
This niche category encompasses disposable apparel and clothing accessories crafted from paper, cellulose wadding, or similar fibers. These items are primarily utilized in industries requiring sterile, hygienic, or low-cost temporary protective wear, such as healthcare (e.g., patient gowns, shoe covers), beauty salons (e.g., disposable spa wear), and sometimes for novelty or specific industrial applications. International trade is driven by the demand for single-use solutions that prevent contamination or offer basic protection. Importers are typically hospitals, clinics, beauty salons, and industrial safety suppliers, while exporters are specialized manufacturers of non-woven or paper-based textiles. The focus for these products is on functionality, hygiene, and cost-effectiveness rather than durability or fashion.
- Covers
- Disposable patient gowns
- Paper lab coats
- Disposable shoe covers
- Paper chef hats
- Disposable aprons
- Paper underwear
- Disposable headbands
- Paper coveralls
- Examples
- Medline Disposable Gowns
- Kimberly-Clark KleenGuard Aprons
- 3M Disposable Coveralls (paper-based)
- Dynarex Disposable Shoe Covers
- TIDI Products Disposable Capes
Codes often confused with 4818.50
Common mistake. This can be easily confused with textile apparel (Chapters 61-63) if the 'paper' or 'cellulose wadding' nature isn't clearly defined, or with 6210.10 (garments made of nonwovens) if the material is a nonwoven fabric that isn't primarily cellulose wadding.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 481850, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 481850 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 9.4% 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 Italy $22M 18% of world exports
- 2 China $22M 18% of world exports
- 3 United States $18M 14% of world exports
World total: $126M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $10.0M 9.4% of world imports
- 2 Germany $8.6M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 Spain $6.8M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $106M 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 4818.50
Brazil does not split HS 4818.50: its NCM code is 4818.50.00.
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 4818.50
What is HS code 481850?
HS code 481850 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Paper articles; apparel and clothing accessories of paper, cellulose wadding or fibres. This niche category encompasses disposable apparel and clothing accessories crafted from paper, cellulose wadding, or similar fibers. These items are primarily utilized in industries requiring sterile, hygienic, or low-cost temporary protective wear, such as healthcare (e.g., patient gowns, shoe covers), beauty salons (e.g., disposable spa wear), and sometimes for novelty or specific industrial applications. International trade is driven by the demand for single-use solutions that prevent contamination or offer basic protection. Importers are typically hospitals, clinics, beauty salons, and industrial safety suppliers, while exporters are specialized manufacturers of non-woven or paper-based textiles. The focus for these products is on functionality, hygiene, and cost-effectiveness rather than durability or fashion.
What products fall under HS code 481850?
Disposable patient gowns, paper lab coats, disposable shoe covers, paper chef hats, disposable aprons, paper underwear, disposable headbands, paper coveralls
What are common misclassifications for HS code 481850?
This can be easily confused with textile apparel (Chapters 61-63) if the 'paper' or 'cellulose wadding' nature isn't clearly defined, or with 6210.10 (garments made of nonwovens) if the material is a nonwoven fabric that isn't primarily cellulose wadding.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 481850?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 481850 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($22M, 18% of world exports), China ($22M) and the United States ($18M). World exports came to about $126M, 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 481850?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 481850 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($10.0M, 9.4% of world imports), Germany ($8.6M) and Spain ($6.8M). World imports came to about $106M, 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 481850 structured?
HS code 481850 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 481850?
In Brazil, HS code 481850 is NCM 4818.50.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.