Product classification
HS code for Coated bleached kraft paper: 4810.31
Kraft paper and paperboard, uniformly bleached throughout, coated with inorganic substances, more than 95% of chemically processed wood fibres, weight 150g/m2 or less, for non-graphic purposes, in rolls or sheets.
Classification of coated bleached kraft paper under HS 4810.31
Coated bleached kraft paper is classified under HS code 4810.31. This classification is found within Chapter 48, which covers paper and paperboard. Heading 4810 specifically applies to paper and paperboard coated on one or both sides with kaolin or other inorganic substances. To fall under 4810.31, the product must meet several criteria: it must be kraft paper, it must be uniformly bleached throughout the mass, it must contain more than 95% chemically processed wood fibers by weight, and it must weigh 150 g/m2 or less. Furthermore, this specific code is reserved for paper used for non-graphic purposes. The coating is typically applied to improve surface smoothness, brightness, or barrier properties for packaging and industrial applications. The "bleached throughout" requirement means the paper must be white across its entire cross-section, not just on the surface.
- Covers
- Bleached kraft paper with kaolin coating
- Inorganic-coated bleached kraft for flexible packaging
- Coated bleached kraft base paper for release liners
- Lightweight coated bleached kraft for medical packaging
- Coated bleached kraft for industrial wrapping
- Also under 4810.31
- BillerudKorsnäs White Top Kraftliner
- Mondi Advantage Coated White
- Stora Enso CKB
- International Paper Coated Bleached Board
- Smurfit Kappa CKB
Codes often confused with 4810.31
Common mistake. This code is often confused with HS code 4810.32, which covers the same type of paper but with a weight exceeding 150 g/m2. It is also frequently misclassified under 4810.13 or 4810.22, which are reserved for graphic papers (used for printing books or magazines). Additionally, if the paper is coated with plastic or wax instead of inorganic substances, it must be classified under heading 4811 rather than 4810.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481031 (the code used for coated bleached kraft paper), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481031 (the code used for coated bleached kraft paper) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% 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 481031, not only coated bleached kraft paper.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $31M 19% of world exports
- 2 Italy $23M 14% of world exports
- 3 China $22M 13% of world exports
World total: $165M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $31M 15% of world imports
- 2 Canada $24M 11% of world imports
- 3 Germany $17M 8.2% of world imports
World total: $207M 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 coated bleached kraft paper
Brazil splits HS 4810.31 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 4810.31.10Fully bleached kraft up to 150 g/m², small formats
- 4810.31.90Other fully bleached coated kraft, up to 150 g/m²
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 coated bleached kraft paper
What is the HS code for Coated bleached kraft paper?
The HS code for Coated bleached kraft paper is 481031 (Kraft paper and paperboard; uniformly bleached throughout, coated with inorganic substances, more than 95% of chemically processed wood fibres, weight 150g/m2 or less, for non-graphic purposes, in rolls or sheets). The HS code for coated bleached kraft paper, bleached throughout, weighing 150 g/m2 or less for non-graphic use, is 4810.31.
How do I classify Coated bleached kraft paper for customs?
Coated bleached kraft paper is classified under HS code 481031 — Kraft paper and paperboard; uniformly bleached throughout, coated with inorganic substances, more than 95% of chemically processed wood fibres, weight 150g/m2 or less, for non-graphic purposes, in rolls or sheets. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What qualifies as an inorganic coating for this code?
Inorganic coatings include substances like kaolin (China clay), calcium carbonate, or barium sulfate, usually applied with a binder like starch or latex to enhance the paper's surface.
Which countries are the top exporters of coated bleached kraft paper (HS 481031)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481031 (the code used for coated bleached kraft paper) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($31M, 19% of world exports), Italy ($23M) and China ($22M). World exports came to about $165M, 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 coated bleached kraft paper (HS 481031)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481031 (the code used for coated bleached kraft paper) in UN Comtrade data were China ($31M, 15% of world imports), Canada ($24M) and Germany ($17M). World imports came to about $207M, 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 Coated bleached kraft paper the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481031 for Coated bleached kraft paper 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 coated bleached kraft paper in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 481031 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for coated bleached kraft paper depends on the product's details: 4810.31.10 (Fully bleached kraft up to 150 g/m², small formats), 4810.31.90 (Other fully bleached coated kraft, up to 150 g/m²).