Product classification
HS code for Paraffin paper: 4811.60
Paper and paperboard, coated, impregnated or covered with wax, paraffin wax, stearin, oil or glycerol, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810.
Classification of paraffin paper under HS 4811.60
Paraffin paper is classified under HS code 4811.60 because it falls within the category of paper and paperboard that has been surface-treated to enhance its functional properties. Specifically, this code covers materials that are coated, impregnated, or covered with wax, paraffin wax, stearin, oil, or glycerol. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1, classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 48 covers paper products, and heading 4811 is designated for paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding, and webs of cellulose fibers that have been coated or impregnated. The subheading 4811.60 is the specific destination for those treated with wax or paraffin. This classification is essential for customs because it distinguishes moisture-resistant treated papers from those treated with plastics or adhesives, which have different environmental and industrial implications. The material must be a base of paper or paperboard; if the wax is the primary component by weight and the paper is merely a carrier, the classification might shift, but for standard paraffin paper used in food service or industrial wrapping, 4811.60 is the correct designation.
- Covers
- Waxed wrapping paper for food products
- Paraffin-coated industrial moisture barriers
- Wax-impregnated paperboard for packaging
- Oiled paper for rust prevention
- Glycerol-treated paper for specialized laboratory use
- Also under 4811.60
- Reynolds Kitchens Wax Paper
- Dixie Waxed Paper
- various deli wrap brands
- industrial rust-inhibiting papers
Codes often confused with 4811.60
Common mistake. Paraffin paper is frequently confused with HS code 4811.51 or 4811.59, which cover paper coated with plastics. While both provide moisture resistance, the chemical nature of the coating is the deciding factor. It is also sometimes misclassified under 4811.41 if it has an adhesive backing, or 4806.20 for greaseproof papers which achieve resistance through mechanical refining rather than wax coating.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481160 (the code used for paraffin paper), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481160 (the code used for paraffin paper) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.9% 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 481160, not only paraffin paper.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $174M 32% of world exports
- 2 France $71M 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $61M 11% of world exports
World total: $550M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $63M 9.9% of world imports
- 2 Germany $49M 7.8% of world imports
- 3 Canada $35M 5.6% of world imports
World total: $633M 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 paraffin paper
Brazil splits HS 4811.60 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 4811.60.10Wax or oil-coated paper, max 15 cm/360 mm
- 4811.60.90Other wax-, oil- or glycerol-coated paper
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 paraffin paper
What is the HS code for Paraffin paper?
The HS code for Paraffin paper is 481160 (Paper and paperboard; coated, impregnated or covered with wax, paraffin wax, stearin, oil or glycerol, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810). The primary HS code for paraffin paper is 4811.60, which covers paper and paperboard coated or impregnated with wax or paraffin.
How do I classify Paraffin paper for customs?
Paraffin paper is classified under HS code 481160 — Paper and paperboard; coated, impregnated or covered with wax, paraffin wax, stearin, oil or glycerol, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is food-grade waxed paper classified differently?
No, the HS code 4811.60 applies to both industrial and food-grade waxed papers, provided the coating is wax or paraffin-based.
Which countries are the top exporters of paraffin paper (HS 481160)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481160 (the code used for paraffin paper) in UN Comtrade data were China ($174M, 32% of world exports), France ($71M) and the United States ($61M). World exports came to about $550M, 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 paraffin paper (HS 481160)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481160 (the code used for paraffin paper) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($63M, 9.9% of world imports), Germany ($49M) and Canada ($35M). World imports came to about $633M, 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 Paraffin paper the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481160 for Paraffin 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 paraffin paper in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 481160 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for paraffin paper depends on the product's details: 4811.60.10 (Wax or oil-coated paper, max 15 cm/360 mm), 4811.60.90 (Other wax-, oil- or glycerol-coated paper).