HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4819.40 – Paper and paperboard; sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base width less than 40cm
HS code 4819.40 is the 6-digit subheading for paper and paperboard, sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base width less than 40cm. It is used for small grocery bags, gift bags, bakery bags, fast-food bags and pharmacy bags.
What HS 4819.40 covers
This HS code pertains to smaller paper and paperboard sacks and bags, including cones, with a base width less than 40cm. This category primarily serves the retail, food service, and consumer goods industries, encompassing everything from shopping bags and gift bags to bakery and fast-food bags. Importers and exporters include retail chains, food service providers, specialty stores, and packaging distributors who require customizable, often branded, solutions for their products. Key considerations in this trade are aesthetic appeal, handle types, biodegradability, and the ability to carry specific product weights. The global shift towards reducing plastic use has significantly boosted the demand for these paper-based alternatives, making sustainability a critical factor in purchasing decisions and international trade flows.
- Covers
- Small grocery bags
- Gift bags
- Bakery bags
- Fast-food bags
- Pharmacy bags
- Boutique shopping bags
- Popcorn cones
- Candy bags
- Examples
- Starbucks paper bags
- McDonald's paper bags
- Sephora gift bags
- CVS pharmacy bags
- small boutique shopping bags
Codes often confused with 4819.40
Common mistake. Frequently confused with 481930 (larger sacks and bags) where the base width is the critical distinction, or 481950 for other small paper containers.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 481940, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 481940 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 China $1.9B 32% of world exports
- 2 Germany $447M 7.5% of world exports
- 3 Italy $406M 6.8% of world exports
World total: $6.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.1B 19% of world imports
- 2 Germany $461M 8.3% of world imports
- 3 France $398M 7.2% of world imports
World total: $5.5B 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 4819.40
Brazil does not split HS 4819.40: its NCM code is 4819.40.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 48.19 →
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 4819.40
What is HS code 481940?
HS code 481940 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Paper and paperboard; sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base width less than 40cm. This HS code pertains to smaller paper and paperboard sacks and bags, including cones, with a base width less than 40cm. This category primarily serves the retail, food service, and consumer goods industries, encompassing everything from shopping bags and gift bags to bakery and fast-food bags. Importers and exporters include retail chains, food service providers, specialty stores, and packaging distributors who require customizable, often branded, solutions for their products. Key considerations in this trade are aesthetic appeal, handle types, biodegradability, and the ability to carry specific product weights. The global shift towards reducing plastic use has significantly boosted the demand for these paper-based alternatives, making sustainability a critical factor in purchasing decisions and international trade flows.
What products fall under HS code 481940?
Small grocery bags, gift bags, bakery bags, fast-food bags, pharmacy bags, boutique shopping bags, popcorn cones, candy bags
What are common misclassifications for HS code 481940?
Frequently confused with 481930 (larger sacks and bags) where the base width is the critical distinction, or 481950 for other small paper containers.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 481940?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 481940 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 32% of world exports), Germany ($447M) and Italy ($406M). World exports came to about $6.0B, 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 481940?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 481940 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 19% of world imports), Germany ($461M) and France ($398M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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 481940 structured?
HS code 481940 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (48) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (19) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 481940?
In Brazil, HS code 481940 is NCM 4819.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.