HS Code:
The category 'Weighing over 15 g/m² but not over 30 g/m²' typically pertains to lightweight paper or paperboard products under the Harmonized System (HS) Code, often used for packaging, printing, or other industrial purposes. This category includes materials that are heavier than tissue paper but lighter than standard printing paper, making them ideal for specific applications such as wrapping, interleaving, or lightweight packaging. These products are traded globally due to their versatility and widespread use in industries like food packaging, electronics, and manufacturing. The trade of this category is influenced by factors such as raw material availability, production costs, environmental regulations, and demand for sustainable packaging solutions.
Total Trade Volume
USD 1.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 300 million
25% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 200 million
16.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 180 million
15% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 120 million
10% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 100 million
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements such as EU internal trade or USMCA)
Rising demand for sustainable packaging
Increased preference for eco-friendly and recyclable paper products has boosted trade, especially from countries with strong sustainability practices like Finland and Germany.
2021-2022
Shift towards e-commerce packaging
Growth in online shopping has driven demand for lightweight protective packaging materials, benefiting major exporters like China and the United States.
2020-2022
Fluctuating raw material costs
Volatility in pulp prices has affected production costs, leading to price instability in the global market and impacting smaller exporters.
2022
The European Union introduced new regulations in 2023 requiring all imported paper products to meet specific recyclability and sustainability criteria.
January 2023
This has increased compliance costs for exporters outside the EU, potentially reducing trade volumes from non-compliant countries while benefiting EU-based producers.
A revised trade agreement between the US and China in late 2022 reduced tariffs on certain paper products, including those in this weight category.
November 2022
This has led to a surge in exports from China to the US, strengthening China's position as the leading exporter in this category.
Innovations in lightweight paper manufacturing, such as improved coating techniques for better durability, have been adopted by major producers in Germany and Japan.
March 2023
These advancements are expected to enhance product quality, potentially increasing market share for these countries in high-value applications.