HS Code:
The coated paper or paperboard category (HS Code: 4810) includes paper and paperboard that have been coated on one or both sides with materials such as kaolin (china clay) or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-colored, surface-decorated, or printed, in rolls or rectangular sheets. This category is widely used in printing, packaging, and labeling industries due to its enhanced surface properties, which improve printability and appearance. Coated paper products are critical for high-quality graphics, magazines, catalogs, and food packaging.
Total Trade Volume
USD 25.3 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12.0% (applied by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0.0% (under free trade agreements such as EU internal trade or USMCA)
Shift toward sustainable and eco-friendly coatings
Increased demand for biodegradable and recyclable coated paper products due to environmental regulations and consumer preferences, driving innovation in bio-based coatings.
2021-2023
Growth in e-commerce packaging
Rising demand for coated paperboard in protective packaging for online retail shipments, particularly in Asia-Pacific and North America.
2020-2022
Decline in traditional print media
Reduced demand for coated paper in magazine and catalog printing due to digitalization, partially offset by growth in packaging applications.
2018-2022
The European Union introduced anti-dumping duties ranging from 8% to 35.1% on certain coated paper imports from China to protect domestic producers from unfairly priced imports.
May 2023
Likely to increase costs for EU importers and shift trade flows toward other suppliers like South Korea and Finland.
Under the USMCA trade agreement, coated paper and paperboard trade between the US, Canada, and Mexico faces zero tariffs, boosting regional supply chains.
July 2020 (ongoing impact in 2023)
Strengthens North American market integration and reduces costs for manufacturers and consumers in the region.
Major manufacturers in Finland and Germany have introduced bio-based coatings for paperboard, aligning with global sustainability goals and EU Green Deal initiatives.
September 2022
Enhances market competitiveness of European producers and meets growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions.