Product classification

HS code for Paper cones: 4819.40

Paper and paperboard, sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base width less than 40cm.

Classification of paper cones under HS 4819.40

Paper cones are classified under HS code 4819.40, which pertains to sacks and bags, including cones, made of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, or webs of cellulose fibers. The classification is driven by the physical form of the product—a container or carrier with a tapered, conical shape—and its material composition. This subheading specifically targets items with a base width of less than 40 cm. Whether these cones are used for packaging food items like confectionery and fried snacks, or utilized in the textile industry as yarn carriers, they fall under this heading because they function as a form of flexible packaging or support made from paperboard. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the paper is bleached, unbleached, or coated, provided the primary material is paper-based. The distinction between 4819.40 and other subheadings in 4819 is primarily based on the dimensions of the base. If the base width were 40 cm or more, the product would move to 4819.30. This classification is crucial for international trade as it separates small-scale packaging and industrial components from larger industrial sacks. The material must be paper-based; if the cone is made of plastic, it would fall under Chapter 39.

Covers
  • Conical paper bags for food service
  • Paper cones used as yarn carriers in textile mills
  • Disposable paper cones for water coolers
  • Paperboard cones for floral packaging
  • Small paper sacks with a base width under 40cm
  • Pointed paper bags for confectionery
Also under 4819.40
  • Starbucks paper bags
  • McDonald's paper bags
  • Sephora gift bags
  • CVS pharmacy bags
  • small boutique shopping bags

Codes often confused with 4819.40

Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 4819.30, which is reserved for sacks and bags with a base width of 40 cm or more. Importers often fail to measure the base width accurately, leading to incorrect filings. Another frequent error is using 4823.90, a residual category for other articles of paper. However, because 4819 specifically mentions "sacks and bags, including cones," it takes precedence over the more general heading 4823. Additionally, textile cones made of compressed paper are sometimes confused with 4822.10 (bobbins and spools), but if they are shaped as cones for packaging, 4819.40 is often applied.

4819.30Paper and paperboard; sacks and bags of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base of a width of 40cm or more4823.90Paper pulp, paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 482348.19Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and the like, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres; box files, letter trays and the like, of paper or paperboard, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like48.23Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres; cut to size or shape, articles of paper pulp, paper and paper-board, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, n.e.c. in chapter 484822.10Paper pulp, paper or paperboard; bobbins, spools, cops and similar supports, of a kind used for winding textile yarn (whether or not perforated or hardened)

Top exporters and importers of HS 481940 (the code used for paper cones), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481940 (the code used for paper cones) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 481940, not only paper cones.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $1.9B
  2. 2 Germany $447M
  3. 3 Italy $406M

World total: $6.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $1.1B
  2. 2 Germany $461M
  3. 3 France $398M

World total: $5.5B 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 paper cones

Brazil classifies paper cones under NCM 4819.40.00: HS 4819.40 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 paper cones

What is the HS code for Paper cones?

The HS code for Paper cones is 481940 (Paper and paperboard; sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base width less than 40cm). The HS code for paper cones is 4819.40, covering paper sacks and bags with a base width less than 40cm.

How do I classify Paper cones for customs?

Paper cones is classified under HS code 481940 — Paper and paperboard; sacks and bags, including cones, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base width less than 40cm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are textile paper cones classified under this code?

Yes, paper cones used in the textile industry as carriers for yarn are generally classified under 4819.40 if they meet the material and size requirements.

Which countries are the top exporters of paper cones (HS 481940)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481940 (the code used for paper cones) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 32% of world exports), Germany ($447M) and Italy ($406M). World exports came to about $6.0B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of paper cones (HS 481940)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 481940 (the code used for paper cones) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 19% of world imports), Germany ($461M) and France ($398M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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 Paper cones the same in all countries?

The base HS code 481940 for Paper cones 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 paper cones in Brazil?

In Brazil, paper cones (HS 481940) is classified under NCM 4819.40.00.