Product classification

HS code for Brown kraft paperboard: 4804.51

Kraft paper and paperboard, uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803.

Classification of brown kraft paperboard under HS 4804.51

Brown kraft paperboard with a weight of 225 g/m² or more is classified under HS code 480451. This classification is reserved for the heaviest grades of unbleached, uncoated kraft paperboard. Like other products in heading 4804, it must be composed of at least 80% chemical wood fibers produced via the sulfate or soda process. The high grammage indicates a product designed for high-strength applications, such as heavy-duty shipping containers, floor protection sheets, or rigid packaging components. The distinction between this code and 480441 is purely based on the weight threshold of 225 g/m². Customs authorities often require laboratory testing of the grammage and fiber analysis to confirm that the product meets the "kraft" definition and the specific weight requirements for this subheading. The product must be presented in rolls or sheets and must not have undergone any bleaching or coating processes. Its natural brown color and high tear resistance are defining characteristics that make it suitable for industrial environments where durability is paramount.

Covers
  • Heavy-duty unbleached kraft linerboard
  • Industrial grade brown paperboard sheets
  • Kraft board for heavy machinery packaging
  • Uncoated brown board for rigid partitions
  • High-grammage unbleached core board
Also under 4804.51
  • International Paper Pinehill Linerboard
  • WestRock Kraftpak
  • Smurfit Kappa Containerboard
  • Georgia-Pacific Kraftliner
  • Mondi Kraftliner

Codes often confused with 4804.51

Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 480441, which covers the same material but at a lower weight (between 150 and 225 g/m²). Another frequent error involves HS code 4805, which covers other uncoated paper and paperboard; however, 4805 is used when the fiber content does not meet the 80% chemical sulfate pulp requirement. If the paperboard is bleached, it falls under 480452. If it is coated with plastic or minerals, it is classified under 4810 or 4811. It is vital to verify the exact weight per square meter to ensure the 225 g/m² threshold is correctly applied.

4804.41Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 480348.05Uncoated paper and paperboard n.e.c., in rolls or sheets4804.52Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, bleached uniformly throughout, more than 95% of total fibre content consists of chemically processed wood fibres, in rolls or sheets48.10Paper and paperboard, coated one or both sides with kaolin (china clay) or inorganic substances, with binder or not, no other coating, surface coloured or not, surface decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size48.11Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, coated, impregnated, covered, surface-coloured, decorated or printed, rolls or sheets, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810

Top exporters and importers of HS 480451 (the code used for brown kraft paperboard), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 480451 (the code used for brown kraft paperboard) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 480451, not only brown kraft paperboard.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Australia $108M
  2. 2 United States $49M
  3. 3 India $38M

World total: $380M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $50M
  2. 2 China $43M
  3. 3 Canada $28M

World total: $389M 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 brown kraft paperboard

Brazil classifies brown kraft paperboard under NCM 4804.51.00: HS 4804.51 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 brown kraft paperboard

What is the HS code for Brown kraft paperboard?

The HS code for Brown kraft paperboard is 480451 (Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803). The HS code for unbleached, uncoated brown kraft paperboard weighing 225g/m2 or more is 480451.

How do I classify Brown kraft paperboard for customs?

Brown kraft paperboard is classified under HS code 480451 — Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Can this code be used for multi-ply board?

Yes, provided all plies are unbleached kraft pulp and the total weight exceeds 225g/m2, it remains under 480451.

Which countries are the top exporters of brown kraft paperboard (HS 480451)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 480451 (the code used for brown kraft paperboard) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($108M, 28% of world exports), the United States ($49M) and India ($38M). World exports came to about $380M, 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 brown kraft paperboard (HS 480451)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 480451 (the code used for brown kraft paperboard) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($50M, 13% of world imports), China ($43M) and Canada ($28M). World imports came to about $389M, 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 Brown kraft paperboard the same in all countries?

The base HS code 480451 for Brown kraft paperboard 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 brown kraft paperboard in Brazil?

In Brazil, brown kraft paperboard (HS 480451) is classified under NCM 4804.51.00.