Why paper and packaging cargo needs care
Paper and packaging goods are bulky for their weight, soak up moisture and crush under load. Shipping them well comes down to four things: keep them dry, don't overload the stack, keep them clean, and protect roll edges and cores.
Paper and packaging products covered
Finished paper products
Printing and copier paper, notebooks, stationery, tissue rolls and hygiene paper products
Industrial paper and packaging materials
Kraft paper rolls and sheets, corrugated sheets and cartons, paper bags and pouches, honeycomb boards, edge protectors
Flexible packaging materials
Laminated film rolls, pouches, wraps and labels
Paper pulp and raw fibers
Wood pulp and recycled fiber bales
Shipping paper and packaging materials?
Get a quoteFour damage risks and how to prevent them
Paper absorbs moisture quickly. It swells, ripples and grows mold, and print quality suffers.
- Wrap loads in a moisture barrier (stretch wrap plus plastic sheets)
- Add desiccant bags inside the container on humid voyages
- Handle and load only in dry conditions
- Don't store goods on the ground in damp facilities
- A few hours in a damp location can damage a full shipment
Paper goods crush easily under load, especially cartons, honeycomb boards and rolls.
- Use reinforced packaging and strap the pallets
- Don't over-stack cartons that are light but bulky
- Keep to a consistent pallet height
- Put corner boards on pallets
- Strap and cushion rolls so they don't develop flat spots
Paper absorbs odors, dust and stains, and packaging film and cartons scuff easily.
- Line the container floor where needed
- Don't co-load with strong-smelling or dusty cargo
- Handle with clean equipment and pallets
- Seal outer layers with film wrap
- Keep food-grade packaging strictly protected from oils, chemicals and dust
Rolls are heavy, but their edges and cores are delicate. An impact leaves creases and dents.
- Load in roll cradles or vertically, depending on the roll type
- Plug the core ends to protect them
- Use forklift clamps designed for rolls, if available
- A dented roll means wasted paper and machine jams for your buyer
Documents you'll need
| Document | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Product type, weights, HS codes, and carton or roll details |
| Certificate of origin (COO) | Confirms where the goods were made. Many regions require it for customs clearance and duty benefits |
| Material spec sheet (industrial packaging) | Clarifies the grade or type when needed |
| Moisture control declaration (if requested) | Some buyers want proof the goods are moisture-free, especially for printing paper |
Customs notes by destination
- A certificate of origin (COO) is often required
- Some printing paper categories carry anti-dumping duties, depending on origin
- COO and product details are often checked to confirm the tariff classification
- COO widely required for customs clearance
Container and loading options
| Option | Best for | |
|---|---|---|
| FCL container | Most paper and packaging, which moves as full loads | - |
| LCL | Small shipments of cartons or rolls | - |
| Reinforced pallets | The standard for retail packaging items | - |
| Floor-loading | Large paper roll shipments (when appropriate) | - |
Shipping paper and packaging materials?
Get a quoteHS codes for paper and packaging (examples)
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 4802 | Uncoated writing and printing paper |
| 4804 | Kraft paper and paperboard |
| 4819 | Cartons, boxes and paper bags |
| 4703 | Wood pulp |
These codes are indicative starting points, not a classification. Find the exact 10-digit line for your product in the HTS Code Finder. Getting the classification right is the importer of record’s legal responsibility.
Estimate US import duties for these codes with our free tariff simulator.
Paper and packaging shipping FAQs
Only if it ships on wooden pallets or crates. That wood must follow ISPM-15 heat-treatment rules.
Yes, as long as it stays off uncovered loading areas and wet warehouse floors, so it can't absorb water.
Load them in roll cradles, add edge protectors and strap them properly.
Only in limited stacks. Too much pressure deforms the rolls.
Sharing a container with chemicals, spices or other strong-smelling industrial products. Always keep paper segregated from them.
Shipping terms in this guide:Commercial InvoicePacking ListHarmonized System Code (HS Code)Certificate of Origin (COO)Full Container Load (FCL)Less than Container Load (LCL)
U.S. import duty on Paper Packaging & Materials Commodities by country of origin
Total duty on the highest-value tariff lines in this category, by country of origin, calculated with our tariff engine and U.S. Census import values. Each page breaks down the duty components, how the rate has changed by entry date, and the landed-cost math.
Rates are our tariff engine's total for a commercial entry today. Open a page for the duty lines behind a rate and how it changed by entry date, browse all import duty pages, or price your own shipment.
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