Buyer's guide
Common grades and specifications
- Folding boxboard (FBB), solid bleached board (SBS), white-lined chipboard (WLC)
- Kraftliner and testliner (for corrugating)
- Food-contact grades
- Key specs: grammage (gsm), caliper, brightness, stiffness, moisture, FSC/PEFC certification
Typical packaging
Reels (state width and core diameter) or sheets on pallets.
Typical minimum order
Mills commonly quote per container load or by tonnes per grade.
HS code (4-digit headings)
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| 4804 | Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard |
| 4810 | Coated paper and paperboard |
| 4819 | Cartons, boxes and cases of paper or paperboard |
Guidance only. The exact 6- to 10-digit code depends on the product and the importing country's tariff. Confirm with your customs broker.
Incoterms tips
For containerised goods, FCA, CPT or CIP are usually a better fit than FOB/CIF, because the seller hands over at a terminal or warehouse rather than over the ship's rail. Use DAP or DDP only if the seller can really handle delivery (and, for DDP, import clearance) in your country.
Quality documents to request
- Mill test certificate / specification
- Food-contact declaration if relevant
- FSC or PEFC chain-of-custody certificate if specified
- Certificate of origin
Sourcing notes
No sourcing restriction; for food contact, ask about coatings and adhesives.