Product classification
HS code for Corrugated boxes: 4819.10
Paper and paperboard, cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard.
Classification of corrugated boxes under HS 4819.10
Corrugated boxes are classified under HS code 4819.10. Chapter 48 covers paper and paperboard, and heading 4819 specifically addresses cartons, boxes, cases, bags, and other packing containers. The subheading 4819.10 is reserved for those containers made specifically of corrugated paper or paperboard. Corrugated paperboard consists of a fluted sheet joined to one or more flat linerboards, providing a high strength-to-weight ratio. This structural characteristic is the defining factor for this classification. The classification applies regardless of whether the boxes are printed or unprinted, provided they are intended for packing or transport. These boxes are ubiquitous in global trade for shipping goods. The HS code 4819.10 is used for both heavy-duty shipping containers and smaller retail packaging, provided the material is corrugated. The classification is based on the material of construction rather than the specific item being shipped inside the box. Even if the box is shipped flat (unassembled), it is still classified under 4819.10 as a box.
- Covers
- Corrugated cardboard shipping cartons
- Double-walled corrugated boxes
- Printed corrugated retail packaging
- Corrugated pizza boxes
- Heavy-duty corrugated industrial cases
- Also under 4819.10
- Uline Shipping Boxes
- Amazon Basics Moving Boxes
- Smurfit Kappa Corrugated Boxes
- DS Smith Packaging
- WestRock Corrugated Containers
Codes often confused with 4819.10
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 4819.20, which is for folding cartons, boxes, and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard. Importers often confuse the two if they do not inspect the cross-section of the material for the fluted layer. Additionally, HS code 4808.10 is sometimes used incorrectly; 4808.10 refers to corrugated paper in rolls or sheets, whereas 4819.10 is for the finished container or box.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481910 (the code used for corrugated boxes), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481910 (the code used for corrugated boxes) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 9.1% 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 481910, not only corrugated boxes.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.7B 15% of world exports
- 2 United States $1.3B 12% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.3B 12% of world exports
World total: $11.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $971M 9.1% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $793M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 United States $779M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $10.6B 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 corrugated boxes
Brazil classifies corrugated boxes under NCM 4819.10.00: HS 4819.10 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 corrugated boxes
What is the HS code for Corrugated boxes?
The HS code for Corrugated boxes is 481910 (Paper and paperboard; cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard). The HS code for cartons, boxes, and cases made of corrugated paper or paperboard is 4819.10.
How do I classify Corrugated boxes for customs?
Corrugated boxes is classified under HS code 481910 — Paper and paperboard; cartons, boxes and cases, of corrugated paper or paperboard. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include boxes with plastic handles?
Yes, corrugated boxes with minor accessories like plastic handles or reinforcement tape are still classified under 4819.10, as the essential character is provided by the corrugated paperboard.
Which countries are the top exporters of corrugated boxes (HS 481910)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481910 (the code used for corrugated boxes) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.7B, 15% of world exports), the United States ($1.3B) and Germany ($1.3B). World exports came to about $11.1B, 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 corrugated boxes (HS 481910)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481910 (the code used for corrugated boxes) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($971M, 9.1% of world imports), Mexico ($793M) and the United States ($779M). World imports came to about $10.6B, 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 Corrugated boxes the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481910 for Corrugated boxes 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 corrugated boxes in Brazil?
In Brazil, corrugated boxes (HS 481910) is classified under NCM 4819.10.00.