Product classification

HS code for Small format coated paper: 4810.14

Paper and paperboard, coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, for printing/writing/graphics, having 10% or less by weight of total fibres got mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, sheets, sides 435mm or less by 297mm or less, unfolded,.

Classification of small format coated paper under HS 4810.14

HS code 4810.14 applies to paper and paperboard coated on one or both sides with kaolin (China clay) or other inorganic substances. To qualify for this specific subheading, the paper must be intended for writing, printing, or other graphic purposes and contain no more than 10% by weight of mechanical or chemi-mechanical fibers relative to the total fiber content. Crucially, 4810.14 is reserved for small-format sheets where one side does not exceed 435 mm and the other does not exceed 297 mm in the unfolded state. This classification focuses on the precision of the coating and the specific dimensions, which typically correspond to standard office sizes like A3 or smaller. The coating must use a binder, and the inorganic substance must be the primary coating material to distinguish it from simple sized paper. The technical requirements for this code are quite stringent; the paper must be "coated," which implies a layer has been applied to the surface to alter its properties, such as smoothness or ink absorption. This is distinct from paper that has merely been surface-colored or decorated. The 10% fiber rule is also a critical boundary, as it separates high-quality wood-free papers from those containing higher proportions of mechanical pulp, which are classified under different subheadings of 4810.

Covers
  • A4 size clay-coated inkjet paper
  • A3 size glossy printing paper for brochures
  • Small format matte-coated cardstock
  • Pre-cut coated photo paper for home printers
  • Coated stationery paper in small sheets
  • Coated invitation cards in standard sizes
Also under 4810.14
  • Sappi Magno Gloss
  • UPM Finesse Gloss
  • Arctic Paper G-Print
  • Domtar Lynx Opaque
  • Mohawk Superfine

Codes often confused with 4810.14

Common mistake. Confusion often arises between 4810.14 and 4810.13, which covers the same paper type but in rolls. Another common error is using 4810.19, which is the residual category for sheets exceeding the 435mm x 297mm dimension limit. Furthermore, paper coated with organic substances (like plastics or wax) should be classified under heading 4811 rather than 4810. Importers must also ensure the mechanical fiber content is accurately tested, as exceeding the 10% threshold moves the product to subheadings 4810.22 through 4810.29. Finally, uncoated paper, even if used for the same printing purposes, belongs in heading 4802.

4810.13Paper and paperboard; coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, for printing & writing, graphics, containing no, or not more than 10% by weight of total fibres obtained by mechanical or chemi-mechanical process, in rolls4810.19Paper and paperboard; coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, for printing/writing/graphics, having 10% or less by weight of total fibres got by mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, sides exceeding 435mm and 297mm, unfolded, sheets48.11Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, coated, impregnated, covered, surface-coloured, decorated or printed, rolls or sheets, other than goods of heading no. 4803, 4809, or 481048.10Paper and paperboard, coated one or both sides with kaolin (china clay) or inorganic substances, with binder or not, no other coating, surface coloured or not, surface decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size4810.22Paper and paperboard; coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, having more than 10% of mechanical or chemi-mechanical processed fibres, for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, light-weight coated paper, in rolls or sheets4810.29Paper and paperboard; coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances only, having more than 10% of mechanically processed fibres, (excluding light-weight paper), for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, in rolls or sheets48.02Uncoated paper and paperboard, used for writing, printing or other graphics, non perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular sheets, of any size, other than paper of heading 4801 or 4803; hand-made paper and paperboard

Top exporters and importers of HS 481014 (the code used for small format coated paper), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 481014 (the code used for small format coated paper) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 25% 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 481014, not only small format coated paper.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $13M
  2. 2 Netherlands $12M
  3. 3 United States $8.1M

World total: $71M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $38M
  2. 2 Netherlands $18M
  3. 3 Canada $11M

World total: $149M 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 small format coated paper

Brazil splits HS 4810.14 into 5 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 4810.14.10Coated woodfree paper, sheets up to 360 mm
  • 4810.14.81Metallised woodfree over 150 g/m², small sheets
  • 4810.14.82Baryta-coated woodfree over 150 g/m², small sheets
  • 4810.14.89Other coated woodfree over 150 g/m², small sheets
  • 4810.14.90Other coated woodfree up to 150 g/m², small sheets

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 small format coated paper

What is the HS code for Small format coated paper?

The HS code for Small format coated paper is 481014 (Paper and paperboard; coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, for printing/writing/graphics, having 10% or less by weight of total fibres got mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, sheets, sides 435mm or less by 297mm or less, unfolded,). The HS code for small format coated paper (sheets not exceeding 435mm x 297mm) is 4810.14.

How do I classify Small format coated paper for customs?

Small format coated paper is classified under HS code 481014 — Paper and paperboard; coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, for printing/writing/graphics, having 10% or less by weight of total fibres got mechanical/chemi-mechanical process, sheets, sides 435mm or less by 297mm or less, unfolded,. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is carbonless copy paper included here?

No, carbonless copy paper and other self-copy papers are classified under heading 4809, even if they are cut to small formats, as their functional coating differs from the inorganic coatings defined in 4810.

Which countries are the top exporters of small format coated paper (HS 481014)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 481014 (the code used for small format coated paper) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($13M, 19% of world exports), the Netherlands ($12M) and the United States ($8.1M). World exports came to about $71M, 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 small format coated paper (HS 481014)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 481014 (the code used for small format coated paper) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($38M, 25% of world imports), the Netherlands ($18M) and Canada ($11M). World imports came to about $149M, 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 Small format coated paper the same in all countries?

The base HS code 481014 for Small format coated 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 small format coated paper in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 481014 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for small format coated paper depends on the product's details: 4810.14.10 (Coated woodfree paper, sheets up to 360 mm), 4810.14.81 (Metallised woodfree over 150 g/m², small sheets), 4810.14.82 (Baryta-coated woodfree over 150 g/m², small sheets), 4810.14.89 (Other coated woodfree over 150 g/m², small sheets), 4810.14.90 (Other coated woodfree up to 150 g/m², small sheets).