Sourcing mineral cast-coated board from China
Mineral cast-coated paperboard from China carries 0% UK duty across the listed candidate lines, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. For virgin wood fibre, confirm timber due-diligence responsibilities before first placement on the Great Britain market with the relevant authority. Cambridge China Bridge sources mineral cast-coated paperboard.
Duty and classification for cast-coated board
Heading 4810 covers paper and paperboard coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, with or without a binder, and with no other coating, supplied in rolls or rectangular sheets. For mineral cast-coated board, establish the base construction and coating composition. The table gives candidate lines for other paperboard; graphic-purpose and kraft grades have separate branches. See the wider cast-coated label-paper guide.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, all supplied lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control is listed. This does not remove timber due diligence or food-contact obligations where applicable.
Confirm the commodity code using the mill's composition sheet, ply structure, bleaching, intended use and supply format. The specified-weight branches shown require 70 to 400 grams per square metre and brightness above 84 measured according to ISO 2470-1, excluding rolls suitable for web-fed presses. Cast-coated is a finish description, so obtain the underlying grade details before choosing a line.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral-coated multi-ply board, each layer bleached | 4810 92 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Mineral-coated multi-ply board, only one outer layer bleached | 4810 92 30 00 | 0% | None |
| Other mineral-coated multi-ply board | 4810 92 90 00 | 0% | None |
| Bleached kaolin-coated board, specified weight and brightness | 4810 99 10 20 | 0% | None |
| Other bleached kaolin-coated board | 4810 99 10 80 | 0% | None |
| Other mineral-coated board, specified weight and brightness | 4810 99 80 20 | 0% | None |
| Other mineral-coated board, remaining grades | 4810 99 80 80 | 0% | None |
Specify the cast-coated face and base board
Specify the mineral pigment, binder, coated face or faces, ply structure, fibre mix, grammage, thickness and stiffness in both directions. Agree gloss and shade against a retained sample, with tolerances and the measurement method written into the order. Identify the printing process, creasing pattern and whether the reverse face must accept printing or adhesive.
Virgin wood-fibre paperboard falls within the UK Timber Regulations. Confirm with the relevant authority the fibre-source due-diligence responsibilities of the business first placing it on the Great Britain market. Ask for species and country of harvest information, and confirm how the rules apply to recycled products and the virgin component of mixed products.
If the board is intended for food packaging, confirm the applicable general food-contact requirements with the relevant authority, using the site's coated-paper guide as a reference. Ask for grade-specific compliance evidence and migration or residue testing matched to the intended use. For recycled fibre, include mineral oil residues in the testing brief; gloss alone does not establish suitability.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 40 tonnes of mineral cast-coated multi-ply paperboard, each layer bleached under 4810 92 10 00, invoiced at £48,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £53,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £53,000, so it is £10,600. With no duty, the only import tax is the VAT, which a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Cast-coated face: compare gloss and shade with the approved sample under consistent lighting. Inspect for dull patches, pinholes, scratches and coating pick during a print trial.
Base board: check conditioned samples for grammage, thickness, moisture and stiffness in both directions against the agreed tolerances and lot certificate.
Conversion: print, crease and fold the actual board on the buyer's pattern. Check coating cracks, fibre splitting, curl and adhesion on the intended gluing face.
Arrival condition: inspect pallet wrapping, sheet corners and edges for moisture, abrasion and crushing. Match pallet and lot identification to the mill records; use the inspection guide to organise the checks.
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What goes wrong
A glossy sample can conceal a base board that is too thin or lacks stiffness. Bulk stock may differ in shade, develop curl or crack across the cast-coated face when creased. Approve a print and folding trial using the actual grade, and retain a reference sample for comparison with production.
Moisture and rubbing in transit can leave damaged edges and marked faces. Record arrival defects before converting the stock, keep affected lots identifiable and compare their measurements with the purchase specification. Ask the mill to explain any change in fibre mix, coating or base construction before accepting a repeat order.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For repeat volumes, see container programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on cast-coated paperboard from China?
The supplied heading 4810 lines carry 0% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty. The tariff snapshot was read on 1 October 2026.
Does cast-coated paperboard have its own commodity code?
Choose the code from the base board, coating, ply structure, bleaching and intended use. Cast-coated describes the finish; it does not identify the full tariff line.
Does virgin-fibre cast-coated board need timber due diligence?
Confirm with the relevant authority the fibre-source due-diligence responsibilities of the business first placing virgin wood-fibre board on the Great Britain market, and whether recycled products are excluded.
Can mineral cast-coated board be used for food packaging?
Check the actual grade and intended contact conditions. Request compliance evidence and suitable migration or residue tests, including mineral oil residues for recycled fibre.