HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4823.20 – Paper and paperboard; filter paper and paperboard
HS code 4823.20 is the 6-digit subheading for paper and paperboard, filter paper and paperboard. It is used for coffee filter paper, laboratory filter paper, automotive oil filter media, air filter paper and industrial liquid filter sheets.
What HS 4823.20 covers
This HS code covers filter paper and paperboard, specialized materials crucial for separation and purification processes across numerous industries. These products are engineered for specific filtration properties, including pore size, wet strength, and chemical resistance. International trade is significant, driven by the global demand for clean air, water, and purified substances in various manufacturing and laboratory settings. Major importers include manufacturers of automotive filters, coffee filters, laboratory equipment, and industrial filtration systems, found worldwide. Exporters are often specialized paper mills with advanced technical capabilities, primarily located in countries like Germany, the USA, Japan, and Finland, known for their precision paper manufacturing. Key considerations include the specific application requirements, material composition (e.g., cellulose, glass fiber blends), and compliance with industry standards for purity and performance. The market is influenced by environmental regulations and technological advancements in filtration.
- Covers
- Coffee filter paper
- Laboratory filter paper
- Automotive oil filter media
- Air filter paper
- Industrial liquid filter sheets
- Tea bag paper
- Medical filter paper
- Examples
- Whatman filter paper
- Melitta coffee filters
- H&V (Hollingsworth & Vose) filter media
- Ahlstrom-Munksjö filter materials
Codes often confused with 4823.20
Common mistake. This code is specific to filter media; it can be confused with general industrial papers (e.g., 4805) if the filtration function is not clearly identified as its primary purpose.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 482320, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 482320 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.3% 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 $187M 19% of world exports
- 2 Germany $184M 19% of world exports
- 3 China $138M 14% of world exports
World total: $968M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $91M 9.3% of world imports
- 2 Germany $75M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 Canada $59M 6.0% of world imports
World total: $978M 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 codes for 4823.20 3
Brazil splits HS 4823.20 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 4823.20.10 Cut filter paper 15–25 g/m², 20–30% sealable fibreDe peso superior a 15 g/m², mas não superior a 25 g/m², com um conteúdo de fibras sintéticas termossoldáveis igual ou superior a 20 %, mas não superior a 30 %, em peso, do conteúdo total de fibras
- 4823.20.9 OtherOutros Group
- 4823.20.91 Filter paper strips or rolls, 15–36 cm wideEm tiras ou rolos de largura superior a 15 cm, mas não superior a 36 cm
- 4823.20.99 Other cut filter paper and paperboardOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 48.23 →
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 4823.20
What is HS code 482320?
HS code 482320 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Paper and paperboard; filter paper and paperboard. This HS code covers filter paper and paperboard, specialized materials crucial for separation and purification processes across numerous industries. These products are engineered for specific filtration properties, including pore size, wet strength, and chemical resistance. International trade is significant, driven by the global demand for clean air, water, and purified substances in various manufacturing and laboratory settings. Major importers include manufacturers of automotive filters, coffee filters, laboratory equipment, and industrial filtration systems, found worldwide. Exporters are often specialized paper mills with advanced technical capabilities, primarily located in countries like Germany, the USA, Japan, and Finland, known for their precision paper manufacturing. Key considerations include the specific application requirements, material composition (e.g., cellulose, glass fiber blends), and compliance with industry standards for purity and performance. The market is influenced by environmental regulations and technological advancements in filtration.
What products fall under HS code 482320?
Coffee filter paper, laboratory filter paper, automotive oil filter media, air filter paper, industrial liquid filter sheets, tea bag paper, medical filter paper
What are common misclassifications for HS code 482320?
This code is specific to filter media; it can be confused with general industrial papers (e.g., 4805) if the filtration function is not clearly identified as its primary purpose.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 482320?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 482320 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($187M, 19% of world exports), Germany ($184M) and China ($138M). World exports came to about $968M, 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 482320?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 482320 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($91M, 9.3% of world imports), Germany ($75M) and Canada ($59M). World imports came to about $978M, 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 482320 structured?
HS code 482320 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (48) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (23) 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 482320?
Brazil splits HS code 482320 into 3 NCM codes: 4823.20.10 (Cut filter paper 15–25 g/m², 20–30% sealable fibre), 4823.20.91 (Filter paper strips or rolls, 15–36 cm wide), 4823.20.99 (Other cut filter paper and paperboard). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.