Sourcing creped sack paper from China
Creped kraft sack paper from China carries 0% UK import duty across the relevant product forms. For paper made from virgin pulp, confirm timber due-diligence obligations with the relevant authority before first placement on the Great Britain market. Specify stretch, tensile strength and reel condition for sack conversion. Cambridge China Bridge sources creped sack paper.
Duty on creped kraft sack paper
Heading 4808 covers corrugated, creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated paper and paperboard in rolls or sheets, excluding paper of heading 4803. Creped kraft sack paper falls within 4808 40 00 00, whether or not embossed or perforated. The table shows product forms within this same commodity line. For the wider heading, see crepe paper rolls.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, the supplied tariff data records 0% duty for this line on goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspension or attached import control. Import VAT is normally 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.
Confirm the commodity code using the fibre composition, creping process and supplied form. Do not classify ordinary uncreped sack kraft as creped paper solely because it has stretch. Finished paper sacks belong to heading 4819; see multiwall paper sacks.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creped kraft sack paper in reels | 4808 40 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify stretch and sack-converting performance
State that the product is creped kraft paper for sack conversion. Specify fibre composition, virgin or recycled content, bleached or unbleached finish, grammage and tolerance, crepe direction, tensile strength and elongation in both machine and cross directions. Agree porosity, moisture and water absorptiveness against the intended filling process and contents.
For reels, agree width, diameter, core size, winding direction, splice marking and moisture-resistant wrapping. For sheets, agree dimensions and squareness. Approve a sample through the intended sack-making and filling process, including seam adhesion. For food sacks, request a supplier declaration and test results covering the intended food and contact conditions.
Virgin-pulp paper placed on the Great Britain market falls within the UK Timber Regulations. The business first placing it on that market should confirm its timber due-diligence obligations with the relevant authority. Obtain pulp-source, species and harvest-country information from the mill. All businesses must check whether they are packaging producers under extended producer responsibility; confirm with the relevant authority whether packaging made from the paper and supplied in the UK creates reporting obligations.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 30,000 sheets of creped kraft sack paper, illustrative order under 4808 40 00 00, invoiced at £9,500 free on board, with £2,600 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £12,100. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £12,100, so it is £2,420. 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
Paper properties: compare batch results for grammage, tensile strength, elongation, porosity and moisture with the agreed specification; sample across the reel width.
Creping and conversion: check the crepe direction and uniformity, then trial unwinding, folding and seam adhesion against the approved sample.
Reels and sheets: measure reel width, diameter and core size or sheet dimensions; inspect splices, crushed cores, torn edges and uneven winding.
Packing and identification: check moisture-resistant wrapping, end protection and batch identification; inspect arrivals for damp patches, mould and handling damage.
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What goes wrong
A supplier may substitute ordinary sack kraft or change the fibre mix while retaining the same grade name. Paper can meet the ordered grammage yet fail on elongation or tensile strength. Uneven creping, hidden splices and damaged edges can cause breaks during conversion. Keep the approved sample and agreed test methods with the purchase specification.
Moisture variation can cause curl, inconsistent feeding and poor seam adhesion. Inspect before dispatch and again on arrival, record affected batches and isolate damaged stock before conversion. Use the quality inspection guide to agree how findings are recorded.
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 creped sack paper from China?
Creped kraft sack paper under 4808 40 00 00 carries 0% duty in the supplied tariff data, with no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Import VAT is normally 20%.
Is ordinary sack kraft the same as creped sack paper?
No. Specify the creping process and confirm the supplied paper's construction. Stretch alone does not establish that the product is creped.
What should I test before making sacks?
Check grammage, tensile strength, elongation in both directions, porosity and moisture. Trial the paper on the intended converting and filling equipment.
Do timber rules apply to creped sack paper?
Virgin-pulp paper is in scope. The business first placing it on the Great Britain market should confirm its timber due-diligence obligations with the relevant authority; obtain pulp-source, species and harvest-country information.