Product classification
HS code for Old newspapers: 4707.30
Paper or paperboard, waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp (e.g. newspapers, journals and similar printed matter).
Classification of old newspapers under HS 4707.30
Old newspapers and similar printed matter are classified under HS code 4707.30. This classification falls under Chapter 47, which covers wood pulp and recovered paper products. Heading 4707 is the primary category for waste and scrap paper or paperboard. Subheading 4707.30 is specifically defined for paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp. Mechanical pulp is the primary component of newsprint, characterized by shorter fibers and the presence of lignin, which distinguishes it from chemical pulps. This code is used for bulk shipments of used newspapers, magazines, and journals destined for de-inking and recycling into new paper products. The classification depends on the predominant fiber type; since newspapers are almost exclusively produced from mechanical pulp to keep costs low, they fit squarely into this category. This code is vital for the circular economy, allowing for the tracking of fiber recovery and the application of specific import/export duties on recyclable materials.
- Covers
- Used newspapers (post-consumer)
- Over-issue news (OINP)
- Old magazines and periodicals
- Directories and telephone books
- Waste paper made primarily of mechanical pulp
- Also under 4707.30
- Resolute Forest Products recycled newsprint
- SCA recycled tissue
- various de-inking mills
- Norske Skog recycled paper
Codes often confused with 4707.30
Common mistake. Old newspapers are often misclassified under 4707.10 (unbleached kraft) or 4707.20 (bleached chemical pulp). These errors occur when the person classifying the goods does not distinguish between the pulping processes used to create the original paper. Another frequent mistake is using 4707.90, which is for mixed waste paper. While newspapers can be part of mixed waste, if the shipment is primarily newspapers, 4707.30 is the more specific and correct code. Finally, new newspapers intended for reading are classified under 4902.10; only waste and scrap newspapers intended for recovery belong in 4707.30.
Top exporters and importers of HS 470730 (the code used for old newspapers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 470730 (the code used for old newspapers) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 10% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% 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 470730, not only old newspapers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $74M 10% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $70M 9.5% of world exports
- 3 Japan $69M 9.3% of world exports
World total: $738M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $176M 21% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $109M 13% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $71M 8.5% of world imports
World total: $833M 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 old newspapers
Brazil classifies old newspapers under NCM 4707.30.00: HS 4707.30 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 old newspapers
What is the HS code for Old newspapers?
The HS code for Old newspapers is 470730 (Paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp (e.g. newspapers, journals and similar printed matter)). The HS code for old newspapers and magazines made of mechanical pulp is 4707.30.
How do I classify Old newspapers for customs?
Old newspapers is classified under HS code 470730 — Paper or paperboard; waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of mechanical pulp (e.g. newspapers, journals and similar printed matter). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include glossy magazines?
Yes, most glossy magazines are made primarily of mechanical pulp and are classified under 4707.30 when traded as scrap or waste.
Which countries are the top exporters of old newspapers (HS 470730)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 470730 (the code used for old newspapers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($74M, 10% of world exports), the Netherlands ($70M) and Japan ($69M). World exports came to about $738M, 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 old newspapers (HS 470730)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 470730 (the code used for old newspapers) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($176M, 21% of world imports), Malaysia ($109M) and Belgium ($71M). World imports came to about $833M, 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 Old newspapers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 470730 for Old newspapers 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 old newspapers in Brazil?
In Brazil, old newspapers (HS 470730) is classified under NCM 4707.30.00.