Product classification

HS code for Lightweight bleached kraft paper: 4804.39

Kraft paper and paperboard, uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803.

Classification of lightweight bleached kraft paper under HS 4804.39

Lightweight bleached kraft paper is classified under HS code 4804.39. Chapter 48 covers paper and paperboard, and heading 4804 is dedicated to uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets. To qualify as kraft paper, the fiber content must consist of at least 80% by weight of chemical wood fibers obtained by the sulfate or soda process. The "lightweight" designation in this context refers to paper weighing 150 g/m2 or less, which falls under the 4804.3x subheadings. The suffix .39 indicates that the paper is bleached uniformly throughout the mass and does not fall under the specific category of 4804.31 (unbleached). This paper is known for its high strength and is commonly used in packaging where both durability and a clean appearance are required.

Covers
  • Bleached kraft wrapping paper
  • White kraft paper for shopping bags
  • Lightweight bleached paper for laminating
  • Bleached kraft envelope paper
  • Medical grade bleached kraft paper
Also under 4804.39
  • International Paper Bleached Kraft
  • Mondi White Kraft
  • Stora Enso Bleached Kraft
  • WestRock Bleached Kraft

Codes often confused with 4804.39

Common mistake. This product is often misclassified under HS code 4802, which covers uncoated paper used for writing, printing, or other graphic purposes. The distinction is the manufacturing process; 4804 is specifically for kraft paper (sulfate/soda process). It may also be confused with HS code 4810 if the paper has been coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances. If the paper is unbleached, it must be classified under 4804.31. Finally, if the weight exceeds 150 g/m2, it moves to subheadings 4804.49 or 4804.59.

48.02Uncoated paper and paperboard, used for writing, printing or other graphics, non perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular sheets, of any size, other than paper of heading 4801 or 4803; hand-made paper and paperboard48.04Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 480348.10Paper 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 size4804.31Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 48034804.49Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in item no. 4804.4, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 48034804.59Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in item no. 4804.5, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803

Top exporters and importers of HS 480439 (the code used for lightweight bleached kraft paper), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 480439 (the code used for lightweight bleached kraft paper) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.7% 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 480439, not only lightweight bleached kraft paper.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $322M
  2. 2 Austria $243M
  3. 3 Sweden $194M

World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $175M
  2. 2 United States $155M
  3. 3 Italy $152M

World total: $2.0B 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 lightweight bleached kraft paper

Brazil splits HS 4804.39 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 4804.39.10Bleached kraft to 150 g/m², min 600 V dielectric
  • 4804.39.90Other bleached kraft paper 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 lightweight bleached kraft paper

What is the HS code for Lightweight bleached kraft paper?

The HS code for Lightweight bleached kraft paper is 480439 (Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803). The HS code for uncoated, bleached kraft paper weighing 150 g/m2 or less is 4804.39.

How do I classify Lightweight bleached kraft paper for customs?

Lightweight bleached kraft paper is classified under HS code 480439 — Kraft paper and paperboard; uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What defines paper as "Kraft" for HS classification?

Under the HS system, kraft paper must contain at least 80% chemical wood pulp produced by the sulfate or soda process, providing superior strength compared to other papers.

Which countries are the top exporters of lightweight bleached kraft paper (HS 480439)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 480439 (the code used for lightweight bleached kraft paper) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($322M, 17% of world exports), Austria ($243M) and Sweden ($194M). World exports came to about $1.9B, 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 lightweight bleached kraft paper (HS 480439)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 480439 (the code used for lightweight bleached kraft paper) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($175M, 8.7% of world imports), the United States ($155M) and Italy ($152M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 Lightweight bleached kraft paper the same in all countries?

The base HS code 480439 for Lightweight 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 lightweight bleached kraft paper in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 480439 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for lightweight bleached kraft paper depends on the product's details: 4804.39.10 (Bleached kraft to 150 g/m², min 600 V dielectric), 4804.39.90 (Other bleached kraft paper up to 150 g/m²).