Product classification
HS code for Unbleached kraft pulp: 4703.11
Wood pulp, chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), unbleached, of coniferous wood.
Classification of unbleached kraft pulp under HS 4703.11
Unbleached kraft pulp is classified under HS code 4703.11, which specifically covers chemical wood pulp produced using the soda or sulfate process. This classification is restricted to pulp derived from coniferous wood, such as pine, spruce, or fir. The 'unbleached' status indicates that the pulp has not undergone chemical whitening processes, retaining its natural brown color and high lignin content, which contributes to its superior strength. The sulfate process, commonly known as the 'kraft' process (from the German word for strength), involves cooking wood chips in a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide. This process is highly effective at dissolving lignin while preserving the cellulose fibers. HS code 4703.11 excludes 'dissolving grades' of pulp, which are high-purity pulps used for chemical applications rather than papermaking. This pulp is a primary raw material for the production of high-strength paper products like linerboard and sack kraft paper.
- Covers
- Unbleached coniferous sulfate wood pulp
- Unbleached pine kraft pulp
- Unbleached spruce chemical wood pulp
- Non-dissolving grade unbleached softwood pulp
- Also under 4703.11
- International Paper (unbleached pulp)
- WestRock (packaging grades)
- Smurfit Kappa (linerboard)
- Domtar (pulp for packaging)
- Stora Enso (unbleached kraft)
Codes often confused with 4703.11
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 4703.19, which is for unbleached chemical wood pulp from non-coniferous (hardwood) sources like eucalyptus or birch. Another common error is 4703.21, which covers coniferous kraft pulp that has been bleached or semi-bleached. Additionally, importers must distinguish this from HS code 4701.00 (mechanical wood pulp) or 4702.00 (chemical wood pulp, dissolving grades). The distinction between coniferous and non-coniferous is a botanical one and is strictly enforced by customs laboratories through fiber analysis.
Top exporters and importers of HS 470311 (the code used for unbleached kraft pulp), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 470311 (the code used for unbleached kraft pulp) in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% 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 470311, not only unbleached kraft pulp.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Russia* ~$212M 15% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Canada $208M 15% of world exports
- 3 Chile $185M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $635M 43% of world imports
- 2 Germany $101M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $96M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $1.5B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 unbleached kraft pulp
Brazil classifies unbleached kraft pulp under NCM 4703.11.00: HS 4703.11 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 unbleached kraft pulp
What is the HS code for Unbleached kraft pulp?
The HS code for Unbleached kraft pulp is 470311 (Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), unbleached, of coniferous wood). The HS code for unbleached chemical wood pulp (soda or sulfate) from coniferous wood is 4703.11.
How do I classify Unbleached kraft pulp for customs?
Unbleached kraft pulp is classified under HS code 470311 — Wood pulp; chemical wood pulp, soda or sulphate, (other than dissolving grades), unbleached, of coniferous wood. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between kraft pulp and dissolving pulp?
Kraft pulp (4703) is used for making paper and board, while dissolving pulp (4702) has a higher cellulose content and is used to make products like rayon, cellophane, and explosives.
Which countries are the top exporters of unbleached kraft pulp (HS 470311)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 470311 (the code used for unbleached kraft pulp) in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $212M, 15% of world exports), Canada ($208M) and Chile ($185M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of unbleached kraft pulp (HS 470311)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 470311 (the code used for unbleached kraft pulp) in UN Comtrade data were China ($635M, 43% of world imports), Germany ($101M) and South Korea ($96M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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 Unbleached kraft pulp the same in all countries?
The base HS code 470311 for Unbleached kraft pulp 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 unbleached kraft pulp in Brazil?
In Brazil, unbleached kraft pulp (HS 470311) is classified under NCM 4703.11.00.