Sourcing metallised packaging paper from China
Metallised packaging paper from China carries 0% UK duty across the relevant lines of heading 4811. Classification depends on the coating and paper construction. For food packaging, obtain evidence for the intended food and conditions of use. Cambridge China Bridge sources metallised packaging paper.
Duty and classification by layer construction
Heading 4811 covers coated, impregnated, covered, coloured, decorated or printed paper and paperboard in rolls or rectangular sheets, subject to the heading's exclusions. This guide concerns metallised packaging paper supplied for converting. The table shows construction-dependent options, including plastics-coated and adhesive grades; it does not assign every metallised paper to the same code.
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, all listed lines of heading 4811 carried 0% duty for goods from China. The supplied tariff data records no anti-dumping or countervailing duties, suspensions or attached import controls. Standard import VAT is 20%; see UK import duty and VAT.
Give your customs broker the layer sequence, coating materials, grammage, bleaching details, adhesive properties and supply format before confirming the commodity code. A metallic appearance alone does not establish the code. For wider heading coverage, see PE-coated paper cupstock.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other coated, covered or decorated paper and paperboard | 4811 90 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Other plastics-coated or covered paper, excluding adhesives | 4811 59 00 90 | 0% | None |
| Bleached plastics-coated paper and board, over 150 g/m², excluding adhesives | 4811 51 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Other gummed or adhesive paper and paperboard, excluding self-adhesive | 4811 49 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specify the metal layer and converting performance
Specify whether the aluminium is deposited directly onto paper, transferred from a carrier or supplied as a retained film or foil laminate. Record the base-paper fibre mix, grammage, caliper, primer, metal layer, protective lacquer and any adhesive or sealing layer. Agree colour, gloss, coating adhesion, rub resistance, fold performance and the intended printing process against an approved sample.
State reel width, diameter, core size, winding direction, splice marking and moisture protection. Trial production material on your printing, folding and wrapping equipment. If barrier performance matters, agree tests on the finished construction after folding and sealing rather than accepting appearance as proof.
For food-contact use, obtain a supplier declaration and test evidence matching the finished construction, intended food, contact time and temperature. For virgin-fibre paper, confirm with the relevant authority or your customs broker whether the UK Timber Regulations apply and what timber due diligence is needed by the business first placing it on the Great Britain market. Request pulp-source information. Assess whether your business has packaging producer responsibilities; see packaging responsibilities.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 12 tonnes of metallised packaging paper in reels under 4811 90 00 90, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £3,500 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £33,500. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £33,500, so it is £6,700. 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
Surface: compare colour and gloss with the approved sample; check streaks, pinholes, scratches and metal or lacquer transfer during rubbing.
Converting: check grammage, caliper, moisture and curl; print and fold samples to reveal ink lifting, coating cracks, delamination or poor sealing.
Reels and packing: check dimensions, winding direction, splice marks, crushed cores, damaged edges and moisture protection on arrival.
Documents: match batch identifiers, layer specifications, food-contact evidence and fibre-source information to the delivered material. Plan checks using our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A sample can look right while production material behaves differently. Changes to the primer or lacquer can cause ink to lift, metal to rub off or folded areas to crack. Uneven moisture causes curl and feeding problems; tightly wound or poorly cured coatings can make adjacent layers stick together.
A generic food-grade statement can leave the actual lacquer, adhesive or food-contact surface unexamined. Request evidence for the ordered construction and intended use. Agree how material changes will be approved, retain batch samples and investigate failed converting trials before releasing the shipment.
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 metallised packaging paper from China?
The relevant lines of heading 4811 carried 0% duty on 30 September 2026. The supplied tariff data lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty. Standard import VAT is 20%.
Which commodity code should I use for metallised paper?
Confirm it from the complete layer construction, coating, adhesive properties and supply format. Give your broker a specification and sample; the metallic finish alone is insufficient.
Can metallised paper be used to wrap food?
Obtain a supplier declaration and test evidence for the actual construction, intended food and contact conditions. A metallic finish or generic food-grade statement does not establish suitability.
What should I test before ordering production reels?
Trial printing, rubbing, folding and any sealing operation on production material. Check coating adhesion, curl and reel handling, and test barrier performance if your application depends on it.