Product classification
HS code for Cigarette paper rolls: 4813.20
Paper, cigarette, in rolls of a width not exceeding 5cm.
Classification of cigarette paper rolls under HS 4813.20
HS code 4813.20 applies to cigarette paper presented in rolls with a width not exceeding 5 cm. This classification is strictly based on the physical dimensions of the roll. These narrow rolls are typically used in industrial cigarette-making machines where the paper is fed continuously to wrap the tobacco column. The 5 cm threshold is a critical legal boundary in the Harmonized System; rolls exceeding this width are relegated to other sub-headings like 4813.90. The paper itself is engineered for high-speed mechanical processing, requiring specific tensile strength and consistent chemical properties to ensure uniform burning and flavor neutrality. Under GRI 6, the classification at the sub-heading level is determined by the specific dimension mentioned in the text of 4813.20. This paper is often referred to as "bobbins" in the industry. The manufacturing process involves slitting large parent rolls into these precise narrow widths. The paper must meet strict standards for air permeability (measured in Coresta units) to control the delivery of smoke and tar to the smoker. Because these rolls are intended for automated production, they are rarely found in retail environments, unlike booklets. The classification remains 4813.20 even if the paper is printed with branding or lines, as long as it remains in roll form and stays within the 5 cm width limit. This code is essential for tracking the trade of raw materials used in the large-scale tobacco industry. It excludes any paper that is not specifically for cigarettes, even if it is in narrow rolls, which would instead fall under general paper headings in Chapter 48.
- Covers
- Cigarette paper bobbins (width <= 5cm)
- Narrow rolls of cigarette paper for machine use
- Printed cigarette paper in narrow rolls
- Gummed cigarette paper in rolls (width <= 5cm)
- High-porosity cigarette paper in narrow rolls
- Also under 4813.20
- Specialized paper from Delfort Group
- Glatfelter
- SWM International
- ArjoWiggins
Codes often confused with 4813.20
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 4813.90, which covers rolls wider than 5 cm. It is also sometimes confused with 4811.90 if the paper has been heavily coated or treated, but 4813.20 is the specific provision for cigarette paper. Misclassification also occurs with 4823.90 for other cut-to-size paper products.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481320 (the code used for cigarette paper rolls), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481320 (the code used for cigarette paper rolls) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 8.6% 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 481320, not only cigarette paper rolls.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $83M 17% of world exports
- 2 France $80M 17% of world exports
- 3 Czechia $70M 15% of world exports
World total: $479M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Poland $62M 8.6% of world imports
- 2 United States $53M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 China $49M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $719M 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 cigarette paper rolls
Brazil classifies cigarette paper rolls under NCM 4813.20.00: HS 4813.20 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 cigarette paper rolls
What is the HS code for Cigarette paper rolls?
The HS code for Cigarette paper rolls is 481320 (Paper, cigarette; in rolls of a width not exceeding 5cm). Cigarette paper in rolls with a width of 5 cm or less is classified under HS code 4813.20.
How do I classify Cigarette paper rolls for customs?
Cigarette paper rolls is classified under HS code 481320 — Paper, cigarette; in rolls of a width not exceeding 5cm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the roll is exactly 5 cm wide?
If the roll is exactly 5 cm wide, it still falls under 4813.20, as the code covers rolls "not exceeding" 5 cm.
Which countries are the top exporters of cigarette paper rolls (HS 481320)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481320 (the code used for cigarette paper rolls) in UN Comtrade data were China ($83M, 17% of world exports), France ($80M) and Czechia ($70M). World exports came to about $479M, 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 cigarette paper rolls (HS 481320)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481320 (the code used for cigarette paper rolls) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($62M, 8.6% of world imports), the United States ($53M) and China ($49M). World imports came to about $719M, 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 Cigarette paper rolls the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481320 for Cigarette paper rolls 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 cigarette paper rolls in Brazil?
In Brazil, cigarette paper rolls (HS 481320) is classified under NCM 4813.20.00.