HS Code for Mechanical wood pulp

Mechanical wood pulp is classified under HS code 470100. This code is situated in Chapter 47, which covers pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material, as well as recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard. The classification 470100 is specific to wood pulp obtained entirely by mechanical processes. Unlike chemical pulps, mechanical pulp is produced by grinding wood logs or chips against an abrasive surface or in a refiner, retaining most of the lignin from the original wood. This process is distinct from chemical or semi-chemical methods, which use heat and chemicals to dissolve the lignin. Mechanical pulp is primarily used for products where high strength is not required but opacity and printability are important, such as newsprint and directory papers. The classification is straightforward as it covers all wood pulp produced through mechanical means, including stone groundwood and thermo-mechanical pulp, provided no chemical treatment has altered the fiber structure significantly.

Products Included

• Stone groundwood pulp (SGW)
• Refiner mechanical pulp (RMP)
• Thermo-mechanical pulp (TMP)
• Chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) where mechanical action is primary
• Pressurized groundwood pulp (PGW)

Common Misclassification

Mechanical wood pulp is often confused with chemical wood pulp, which is classified under headings 4703 (soda or sulfate) or 4704 (sulfite). It is also sometimes confused with semi-chemical wood pulp, which falls under 470500. The key distinction is the yield and the presence of lignin; mechanical pulp has a very high yield (90-95%) because the lignin is not removed, whereas chemical pulps have much lower yields.

FAQ

What is the HS code for mechanical wood pulp?

The HS code for mechanical wood pulp is 470100.

Does this code include recycled paper pulp?

No, pulp derived from recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard is classified under HS code 4707.