Product classification
HS code for Bleached chemical pulp waste: 4707.20
Paper or paperboard, waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass.
Classification of bleached chemical pulp waste under HS 4707.20
Bleached chemical pulp waste, comprising discarded or residual materials from the production of paper or paperboard, is precisely classified under HS code 470720. This code specifically covers "Paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass." This classification is highly appropriate because the product consists of waste and scrap material that originates from paper or paperboard manufacturing processes, where the predominant raw material used is bleached chemical pulp. Furthermore, a key criterion for this classification is that the material has not been colored throughout its mass during its initial production, ensuring it retains its bleached, uncolored characteristic.
- Covers
- Waste paper generated from the production of bleached chemical pulp
- Scrap paperboard derived from bleached chemical pulp manufacturing
- Offcuts and trimmings of bleached chemical pulp paper
- Used office paper and documents, provided they are predominantly bleached chemical pulp and not colored in the mass
- Post-consumer waste paper primarily composed of bleached chemical pulp
- Also under 4707.20
- Domtar recycled content
- Georgia-Pacific recycled tissue
- Kimberly-Clark recycled paper
- various fine paper manufacturers
Codes often confused with 4707.20
Common mistake. 470710 (Waste and scrap of unbleached kraft paper or paperboard): This code is designated for waste materials derived from unbleached kraft pulp. Bleached chemical pulp waste is fundamentally distinct due to the bleaching process it undergoes and often involves different types of chemical pulping, making classification under 470710 incorrect. 470730 (Waste and scrap of paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp): This code is specifically for waste materials where mechanical pulp is the predominant component. Bleached chemical pulp, by contrast, is produced through a chemical process, not a mechanical one, thus differentiating it from materials classified under 470730. 470790 (Other waste and scrap of paper or paperboard, including unsorted waste and scrap): This is a residual category intended for other types of paper and paperboard waste that do not fit into the more specific subheadings. While bleached chemical pulp waste is a specific type, it could be mistakenly placed here if its primary composition and bleached, uncolored nature are not clearly identified and documented.
Top exporters and importers of HS 470720 (the code used for bleached chemical pulp waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 470720 (the code used for bleached chemical pulp waste) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 22% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 470720, not only bleached chemical pulp waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $400M 54% of world exports
- 2 Germany $39M 5.2% of world exports
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$23M 3.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $742M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $193M 22% of world imports
- 2 India $162M 18% of world imports
- 3 Germany $130M 15% of world imports
World total: $881M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 bleached chemical pulp waste
Brazil classifies bleached chemical pulp waste under NCM 4707.20.00: HS 4707.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
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 bleached chemical pulp waste
What is the HS code for Bleached chemical pulp waste?
The HS code for Bleached chemical pulp waste is 470720 (Paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass). The HS code for bleached chemical pulp waste is 470720. This code specifically identifies waste and scrap of paper or paperboard predominantly made from bleached chemical pulp that has not been colored in the mass.
How do I classify Bleached chemical pulp waste for customs?
Bleached chemical pulp waste is classified under HS code 470720 — Paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the significance of "not coloured in the mass" for this classification?
The phrase "not coloured in the mass" is a crucial distinguishing factor. It signifies that the original paper or paperboard material was not dyed or pigmented uniformly throughout its entire substance during its manufacturing process. This characteristic helps to differentiate it from colored waste materials, which might be classified under other specific subheadings or the broader residual category 470790 if the coloring is a defining feature.
Which countries are the top exporters of bleached chemical pulp waste (HS 470720)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 470720 (the code used for bleached chemical pulp waste) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($400M, 54% of world exports), Germany ($39M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $23M). World exports came to about $742M, 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 bleached chemical pulp waste (HS 470720)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 470720 (the code used for bleached chemical pulp waste) in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($193M, 22% of world imports), India ($162M) and Germany ($130M). World imports came to about $881M, 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.
Is the HS code for Bleached chemical pulp waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 470720 for Bleached chemical pulp waste is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for bleached chemical pulp waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, bleached chemical pulp waste (HS 470720) is classified under NCM 4707.20.00.