Chapter 48: Pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard

Section X — Pulp of wood; paper and paperboard

22 headings · 382 total HS codes

Classification Notes for Chapter 48
Notes 1. For the purposes of this Chapter, except where the context otherwise requires, a reference to “paper” includes references to paperboard (irrespective of thickness or weight per square metre). 2. This Chapter does not cover: a. Articles of Chapter 30; b. Stamping foils of 3212; c. Perfumed papers or papers impregnated or coated with cosmetics (Chapter 33); d. Paper or cellulose wadding impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent (3401), or with polishes, creams or similar preparations (3405); e. Sensitised paper or paperboard of 3701 to 3704.00.00; f. Paper impregnated with diagnostic or laboratory reagents (3822); g. Paper-reinforced stratified sheeting of plastics, or one layer of paper or paperboard coated or covered with a layer of plastics, the latter constituting more than half the total thickness, or articles of such materials, other than wall coverings of 4814 (Chapter 39); h. Articles of 4202 (for example, travel goods); i. ij.  Articles of Chapter 46 (manufactures of plaiting material); j. Paper yarn or textile articles of paper yarn (Section XI); k. Articles of Chapter 64 or Chapter 65; l. Abrasive paper or paperboard (6805) or paper- or paperboard-backed mica (6814) (paper and paperboard coated with mica powder are, however, to be classified in this Chapter); m. Metal foil backed with paper or paperboard (generally Section XIV or Section XV); n. Articles of 9209; o. Articles of Chapter 95 (for example, toys, games, sports requisites); or p. Articles of Chapter 96 (for example, buttons, sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins (diapers) and napkin liners). 3. Subject to the provisions of Note 7, 4801 to 4805 include paper and paperboard which have been subjected to calendering, super-calendering, glazing or similar finishing, false water-marking or surface sizing, and also paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, coloured or marbled throughout the mass by any method. Except where 4803 otherwise requires, these headings do not apply to paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres which have been otherwise processed. 4. In this Chapter “newsprint” means uncoated paper of a kind used for the printing of newspapers, of which not less than 50% by weight of the total fibre content consists of wood fibres obtained by a mechanical or chemi- mechanical process, unsized or very lightly sized, having a surface roughness Parker Print Surf (1 MPa) on each side exceeding 2.5 micrometres (microns), weighing not less than 40 g/m2 and not more than 65 g/m2, and applies only to paper: a. in strips or rolls of a width exceeding 28 cm; or b. in rectangular (including square) sheets with one side exceeding 28 cm and the other side exceeding 15 cm in the unfolded state. 5. For the purposes of 4802, “paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes” and “non perforated punch‑cards and punch tape paper” mean paper and paperboard made mainly from bleached pulp or from pulp obtained by a mechanical or chemi‑mechanical process and satisfying any of the following criteria: 1. For paper or paperboard weighing not more than 150 g/m2:
HeadingDescriptionGeneral RateSub-codesFTAs
4801Newsprint, in rolls or sheets5%615 FTAs
4802Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, and non perforated punch-cards and punch tape paper, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size, other than paper of 48.01 or 48.03; hand-made paper and paperboard0%10716 FTAs
4803Toilet or facial tissue stock, towel or napkin stock and similar paper of a kind used for household or sanitary purposes, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, whether or not creped, crinkled, embossed, perforated, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or sheets5%217 FTAs
4804Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, other than that of 48.02 or 48.030%2716 FTAs
4805Other uncoated paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, not further worked or processed than as specified in note 3 to this chapter0%4617 FTAs
4806Vegetable parchment, greaseproof papers, tracing papers and glassine and other glazed transparent or translucent papers, in rolls or sheets0%416 FTAs
4807Composite paper and paperboard (made by sticking flat layers of paper or paperboard together with an adhesive), not surface-coated or impregnated, whether or not internally reinforced, in rolls or sheets0%116 FTAs
4808Paper 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 48.030%915 FTAs
4809Carbon 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 sheets0%616 FTAs
4810Paper and paperboard, coated on one or both sides with kaolin (china clay) or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, whether or not surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size0%5017 FTAs
4811Paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, coated, impregnated, covered, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed, in rolls or rectangular (including square) sheets, of any size, other than goods of the kind described in 48.03, 48.09 or 48.100%2616 FTAs
4812Filter blocks, slabs and plates, of paper pulp0%114 FTAs
4813Cigarette paper, whether or not cut to size or in the form of booklets or tubes0%516 FTAs
4814Wallpaper and similar wall coverings; window transparencies of paper5%217 FTAs
4816Carbon paper, self-copy paper and other copying or transfer papers (other than those of 48.09), duplicator stencils and offset plates, of paper, whether or not put up in boxes0%417 FTAs
4817Envelopes, letter cards, plain postcards and correspondence cards, of paper or paperboard; boxes, pouches, wallets and writing compendiums, of paper or paperboard, containing an assortment of paper stationery5%317 FTAs
4818TOILET PAPER AND SIMILAR PAPER, CELLULOSE WADDING OR WEBS OF CELLULOSE FIBRES, OF A KIND USED FOR HOUSEHOLD OR SANITARY PURPOSES, IN ROLLS OF A WIDTH NOT EXCEEDING 36 cm, OR CUT TO SIZE OR SHAPE; HANDKERCHIEFS, CLEANSING TISSUES, TOWELS, TABLECLOTHS, SERVIETTES, BED SHEETS AND SIMILAR HOUSEHOLD, SANITARY OR HOSPITAL ARTICLES, ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES, OF PAPER PULP, PAPER, CELLULOSE WADDING OR WEBS OF CELLULOSE FIBRES5%517 FTAs
4819Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres; box files, letter trays, and similar articles, of paper or paperboard of a kind used in offices, shops or the like5%617 FTAs
4820Registers, account books, note books, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles, exercise books, blotting-pads, binders (loose-leaf or other), folders, file covers, manifold business forms, interleaved carbon sets and other articles of stationery, of paper or paperboard; albums for samples or for collections and book covers, of paper or paperboard0%1016 FTAs
4821Paper or paperboard labels of all kinds, whether or not printed5%215 FTAs
4822Bobbins, spools, cops and similar supports of paper pulp, paper or paperboard (whether or not perforated or hardened)0%217 FTAs
4823Other paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding and webs of cellulose fibres, cut to size or shape; other articles of paper pulp, paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres0%3815 FTAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the import duty on pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard in Australia?

Chapter 48 of the Australian Tariff covers pulp of wood or of other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard. Duty rates vary by product — there are 22 headings in this chapter. Use the table below to find specific rates, or try our free calculator for an instant estimate.

Are there FTA concessions for Chapter 48 goods?

Yes, Australia has 17 Free Trade Agreements that may reduce duty on Chapter 48 products. Click on any heading below to see which FTAs offer preferential rates.

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