HS Code 48: Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard

Q: Is HS code 48 the same in every country?

Yes — HS code 48 is part of the WCO Harmonized System and is the same in every WCO member country at the 6-digit level. Beyond 6 digits, each country extends the code under its own system (e.g. HTSUS in the US, CN/TARIC in the EU, HSK in Korea, CCCHS in China) for national tariff rates and trade statistics. To see how a specific country classifies this code, select a country.

Q: Which WCO edition does HS code 48 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

The Harmonized System is maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and revised approximately every five years. The current edition is HS 2022, which replaced HS 2017 on 1 January 2022. Codes are added, merged, or split between editions to reflect new products and trade patterns, so a code valid in one edition may not exist or may mean something different in another.

Q: How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 48?

Beyond the international 6-digit level, each country adds its own digits — the US extends to 10 digits (HTSUS), the EU to 8 or 10 (CN/TARIC), China to 13 (CCCHS), Korea to 10 (HSK), Japan to 9, and so on. To find the full code used by a specific country, select a country in TradeInt's HS Code Tool and search for 48.

What is HS Code 48

HS Code 48 covers Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard. It is one of the 96 chapters of the WCO Harmonized System, sitting in Section X (Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard; paper and paperboard and articles thereof). The two digits "48" are the chapter level — every 4-digit heading and 6-digit subheading starting with "48" belongs here.

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What does HS Code 48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard Cover?

Section X

Chapters (47-49) Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard; paper and paperboard and articles thereof

Chapter 48

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard

HS Code 4801

Newsprint, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4802

Uncoated 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

HS Code 4803

Tissue, towel, napkin stock or similar; for household or sanitary uses, cellulose wadding, webs of cellulose fibres, in rolls over 36cm in width or rectangular sheets with one side exceeding 36cm when unfolded

HS Code 4804

Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803

HS Code 4805

Uncoated paper and paperboard n.e.c., in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4806

Vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, tracing papers, glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4807

Composite paper and paperboard, (made by sticking layers together with an adhesive), not surface-coated or impregnated, whether or not internally reinforced, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4808

Paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than paper of the kind described in heading 4803

HS Code 4809

Carbon paper, self copy paper, and other copying or transfer papers (including coated or impregnated paper for duplicator stencils or offset plates), whether or not printed, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4810

Paper 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 size

HS Code 4811

Paper, 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 4810

HS Code 4812

Filter blocks, slabs and plates of paper pulp

HS Code 4813

Cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes

HS Code 4814

Wallpaper and similar wall coverings; window transparencies of paper

HS Code 4816

Carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers, (other than those of heading no. 4809), duplicator stencils and offset plates, of paper whether or not put up in boxes

HS Code 4817

Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, of paper, paperboard; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums, of paper or paperboard containing assortment of paper stationery

HS Code 4818

Toilet paper, width 36cm or less or cut to size/shape; handkerchiefs, tissues, towels, serviettes, bed sheets and similar household or hospital articles, apparel and clothing accessories of paper pulp, paper, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres

HS Code 4819

Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and the like, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres; box files, letter trays and the like, of paper or paperboard, of a kind used in offices, shops or the like

HS Code 4820

Registers, account books, diaries and similar; albums for samples or collections, of paper or paperboard

HS Code 4821

Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed

HS Code 4822

Bobbins, spools, cops and similar supports of paper pulp, paper or paperboard (whether or not perforated or hardened)

HS Code 4823

Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres; cut to size or shape, articles of paper pulp, paper and paper-board, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, n.e.c. in chapter 48

Click any HS code above to see live 2026 latest Paper and Paperboard trade data including exporters, importers, and shipment volumes.

What HS Codes for Paper and Paperboard Do Not Cover

Chapter 48 covers paper, paperboard, and articles of paper pulp. Goods frequently misclassified here but that belong elsewhere include:

Printed books, magazines, and printed matter

Chapter 49

Decorative photographic prints

Chapter 49

Sanitary napkins, diapers, tampons

heading 9619

Cigarette paper in rolls or sheets cut to size

Chapter 48 itself; finished cigarettes → Chapter 24

This list highlights common classification errors only — it is not exhaustive. For binding classification, work with a licensed customs broker or qualified trade compliance professional.

Related HS Codes under Paper and Paperboard HS 48

HS Code 4801

Newsprint, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4802

HS Code 4803

HS Code 4804

Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803

HS Code 4805

Uncoated paper and paperboard n.e.c., in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4806

Vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, tracing papers, glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4807

Composite paper and paperboard, (made by sticking layers together with an adhesive), not surface-coated or impregnated, whether or not internally reinforced, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4808

Paper and paperboard, corrugated (with or without glued flat surface sheets), creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated, in rolls or sheets other than paper of the kind described in heading 4803

HS Code 4809

Carbon paper, self copy paper, and other copying or transfer papers (including coated or impregnated paper for duplicator stencils or offset plates), whether or not printed, in rolls or sheets

HS Code 4810

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 48?

HS code 48 covers Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard, one of the chapter 48 of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System. It is the broadest level of HS classification, grouping all products of this type before they are narrowed down by more specific 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings.

Is HS code 48 the same in every country?

Which WCO edition does HS code 48 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 48?