Sourcing coated art paper from China
Coated art paper from China carries 0% UK import duty across the listed lines. For virgin wood fibre paper, confirm timber due diligence requirements with the Office for Product Safety and Standards before first placement on the Great Britain market. Specify the finish, fibre mix and press format, then test the actual grade. Cambridge China Bridge sources coated art paper.
Coated art paper duty and classification
Heading 4810 covers paper and paperboard coated with kaolin or other inorganic substances, with no other coating, in rolls or rectangular sheets. This guide focuses on gloss and matt art paper for printing. See the coated paper and board guide for the wider heading.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 19 October 2026, all listed lines carry 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. Timber due diligence still applies to paper made from virgin wood fibre when first placed on the Great Britain market.
The table covers graphic paper with no more than 10% mechanical or chemi-mechanical fibre. Small sheets have sides not exceeding 435 mm and 297 mm. The qualifying lines require 70 to 400 g/m² and brightness above 84 measured according to ISO 2470-1, with further exclusions in their descriptions. Confirm fibre composition, format and the complete tariff wording using finding your commodity code.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-mechanical-fibre coated printing paper, rolls meeting specified weight and brightness | 4810 13 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Low-mechanical-fibre coated printing paper, other rolls | 4810 13 00 80 | 0% | None |
| Low-mechanical-fibre coated printing paper, qualifying small sheets | 4810 14 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Low-mechanical-fibre coated printing paper, other small sheets | 4810 14 00 80 | 0% | None |
| Low-mechanical-fibre coated printing paper, qualifying larger sheets | 4810 19 00 20 | 0% | None |
| Low-mechanical-fibre coated printing paper, other larger sheets | 4810 19 00 80 | 0% | None |
Specify the coating, shade and press format
Agree gloss or matt finish, coated faces, grammage, thickness, moisture, brightness and shade against an approved sample. State sheet dimensions and grain direction, or reel width, diameter and core size. Identify the intended printing and folding process, and request a print trial using the proposed production grade.
Ask the mill for the virgin and recycled fibre mix, fibre species and country of harvest. The UK Timber Regulations cover paper; confirm with the Office for Product Safety and Standards what due diligence applies to the business first placing this product on the Great Britain market, including how recycled products and mixed fibre products are treated. Keep the fibre-source documents with the batch records.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative palletised shipment of matt coated art paper for a commercial printer under 4810 19 00 80, invoiced at £27,000 free on board, with £5,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £32,200. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £32,200, so it is £6,440. 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
Dimensions and weight: measure sheet size or reel dimensions, grammage and thickness against the order and mill certificate; check grain direction for folded work.
Shade and finish: compare samples from different pallets or reels with the approved sample under consistent lighting; check gloss or matt finish and coating uniformity.
Press performance: run a print and folding trial; check coating pick, ink appearance, curl and cracking at folds.
Arrival condition: check moisture, wrapping, sheet edges, reel ends and cores for dampness or damage; retain batch identification and condition paper to the pressroom before printing.
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What goes wrong
A matching grammage does not guarantee a matching print result. Shade changes between mill runs can alter printed colours, weak coating can pick during printing, and moisture variation can cause curl. Compare the supplied lot with the approved grade and its mill certificate.
Damaged reel edges, crushed cores and wet pallet wrapping can leave usable-looking stock difficult to run. Record arrival damage before opening the remaining packs, keep affected batches separate, and agree replacement criteria in the purchase specification.
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 coated art paper from China?
The supplied tariff data shows 0% duty across the listed coated art paper lines, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty.
Does coated art paper need timber due diligence?
For virgin wood fibre paper first placed on the Great Britain market, confirm applicable timber due diligence requirements with the Office for Product Safety and Standards. Also confirm how recycled products and the virgin portion of mixed fibre paper are treated.
What should I ask a Chinese art paper mill to specify?
Finish, coated faces, fibre mix, grammage, thickness, moisture, brightness, shade and sheet or reel dimensions. Approve the grade through a print and folding trial.
How do I check coated art paper on arrival?
Compare batch certificates and samples with the order, check shade and coating strength, measure dimensions and moisture, and inspect wrapping, edges and cores for damage.