Product classification
HS code for Paper sacks: 4819.30
Paper and paperboard, sacks and bags of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base of a width of 40cm or more.
Classification of paper sacks under HS 4819.30
HS code 481930 applies to sacks and bags made of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, or webs of cellulose fibers, specifically those having a base width of 40 cm or more. These are often referred to as multi-wall sacks or heavy-duty shipping bags. Classification under 481930 is strictly dependent on the physical dimensions of the bag's base. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), the primary characteristic for this subheading is the measurement of the width at the bottom. These items are essential in industrial packaging for bulk goods like cement, flour, animal feed, or chemicals. The construction often involves multiple layers of kraft paper to provide the necessary tensile strength and durability for transport. The code covers both flat and gusseted sacks, provided the base measurement meets the 40 cm threshold when fully extended.
- Covers
- Multi-wall kraft paper sacks for industrial use
- Large paper shipping bags with a base width ≥ 40cm
- Cement sacks made of paper
- Bulk flour or grain paper bags
- Heavy-duty refuse bags made of paper
- Also under 4819.30
- LafargeHolcim cement bags
- Purina Pro Plan large dog food bags
- Kingsford charcoal bags
- large grocery store paper bags (e.g., Whole Foods)
- large agricultural seed bags
Codes often confused with 4819.30
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 481940, which covers other sacks and bags, including cones, that have a base width of less than 40 cm. Importers often fail to measure the base correctly, leading to errors. Additionally, if the bag is made of plastic (even if it looks like paper or is reinforced with paper), it should be classified under 392321 or 392329. If the sack is made of textile materials like jute or woven polypropylene, it falls under 6305.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481930 (the code used for paper sacks), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481930 (the code used for paper sacks) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 481930, not only paper sacks.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $191M 15% of world exports
- 2 Morocco $119M 9.1% of world exports
- 3 Poland $83M 6.4% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $252M 18% of world imports
- 2 France $106M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Germany $77M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 sacks
Brazil classifies paper sacks under NCM 4819.30.00: HS 4819.30 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 paper sacks
What is the HS code for Paper sacks?
The HS code for Paper sacks is 481930 (Paper and paperboard; sacks and bags of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base of a width of 40cm or more). Paper sacks with a base width of 40 cm or more are classified under HS code 481930.
How do I classify Paper sacks for customs?
Paper sacks is classified under HS code 481930 — Paper and paperboard; sacks and bags of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base of a width of 40cm or more. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I measure the base width for classification?
The base width is measured across the bottom of the sack. For gusseted bags, the measurement should be taken when the bag is laid flat, representing the maximum width of the bottom construction.
Which countries are the top exporters of paper sacks (HS 481930)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481930 (the code used for paper sacks) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($191M, 15% of world exports), Morocco ($119M) and Poland ($83M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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 sacks (HS 481930)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481930 (the code used for paper sacks) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($252M, 18% of world imports), France ($106M) and Germany ($77M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 sacks the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481930 for Paper sacks 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 sacks in Brazil?
In Brazil, paper sacks (HS 481930) is classified under NCM 4819.30.00.