Product classification
HS code for Plastic coated paperboard: 4811.51
Paper and paperboard, coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), bleached, weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810.
Classification of plastic coated paperboard under HS 4811.51
HS code 4811.51 is a specific classification for bleached paper and paperboard, weighing more than 150g/m2, that has been coated, impregnated, or covered with plastics. This material is a staple in the high-end packaging industry, particularly for liquids and perishable goods. The classification falls under Chapter 48 (Paper and Paperboard). The "bleached" requirement means the fibers have been chemically treated to increase whiteness, and the weight threshold of 150g/m2 ensures the material is sturdy enough to be considered paperboard rather than thin paper. The plastic coating (typically Polyethylene) serves as a functional barrier against liquids and gases. This code is distinct because it combines specific physical properties (bleaching and weight) with a specific treatment (plastic coating). It excludes any paperboard that is not bleached or does not meet the weight requirement, as well as products where the plastic is the primary structural element.
- Covers
- Liquid packaging board for milk and juice cartons
- Bleached sulfate board (SBS) with PE coating
- High-quality plastic-coated folding boxboard
- Poly-coated bleached boards for frozen food packaging
- Plastic-laminated bleached paperboard for pharmaceutical boxes
- Also under 4811.51
- Tetra Pak (packaging material)
- Elopak (carton board)
- Stora Enso Natura
- Metsä Board Pro FBB
- International Paper Coated Board
Codes often confused with 4811.51
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 4811.59, which covers unbleached plastic-coated paper or bleached paper weighing 150g/m2 or less. Another common error is classifying these items under 3921 if the plastic layer is perceived as the most important part; however, if the paperboard provides the structural integrity, 4811.51 remains the correct heading. It is also distinct from 4811.90, which is a catch-all for other coated papers not involving plastics.
Top exporters and importers of HS 481151 (the code used for plastic coated paperboard), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481151 (the code used for plastic coated paperboard) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 481151, not only plastic coated paperboard.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $641M 21% of world exports
- 2 United States $564M 19% of world exports
- 3 Finland $528M 18% of world exports
World total: $3.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $461M 14% of world imports
- 2 Canada $263M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 Japan $226M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $3.4B 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 codes for plastic coated paperboard
Brazil splits HS 4811.51 into 7 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 4811.51.10Plastic-coated bleached over 150 g/m², small sizes
- 4811.51.21Bleached silicone paper over 150 g/m², unembossed
- 4811.51.22Printed PE/aluminium paper, bleached over 150 g/m²
- 4811.51.23Bleached photo base over 150 g/m², two-side PE/PP
- 4811.51.28Embossed plastic-coated bleached, over 150 g/m²
- 4811.51.29Other plastic-coated bleached paper over 150 g/m²
- 4811.51.30Plastic-impregnated bleached paper over 150 g/m²
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 plastic coated paperboard
What is the HS code for Plastic coated paperboard?
The HS code for Plastic coated paperboard is 481151 (Paper and paperboard; coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), bleached, weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810). The HS code for bleached plastic-coated paperboard weighing over 150g/m2 is 4811.51.
How do I classify Plastic coated paperboard for customs?
Plastic coated paperboard is classified under HS code 481151 — Paper and paperboard; coated, impregnated or covered with plastics (excluding adhesives), bleached, weighing more than 150g/m2, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 4810. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is this code used for milk cartons?
Yes, the raw material for milk cartons (liquid packaging board) is typically classified under 4811.51 before it is cut and shaped into containers.
Which countries are the top exporters of plastic coated paperboard (HS 481151)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481151 (the code used for plastic coated paperboard) in UN Comtrade data were China ($641M, 21% of world exports), the United States ($564M) and Finland ($528M). World exports came to about $3.0B, 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 plastic coated paperboard (HS 481151)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 481151 (the code used for plastic coated paperboard) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($461M, 14% of world imports), Canada ($263M) and Japan ($226M). World imports came to about $3.4B, 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 Plastic coated paperboard the same in all countries?
The base HS code 481151 for Plastic coated paperboard 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 plastic coated paperboard in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 481151 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for plastic coated paperboard depends on the product's details: 4811.51.10 (Plastic-coated bleached over 150 g/m², small sizes), 4811.51.21 (Bleached silicone paper over 150 g/m², unembossed), 4811.51.22 (Printed PE/aluminium paper, bleached over 150 g/m²), 4811.51.23 (Bleached photo base over 150 g/m², two-side PE/PP), 4811.51.28 (Embossed plastic-coated bleached, over 150 g/m²), 4811.51.29 (Other plastic-coated bleached paper over 150 g/m²), and more.