Sourcing newsprint from China
Newsprint in rolls or sheets from China, used for newspapers, packing paper and printing, pays 0% UK duty under the single code 4801 00 00 00, with no anti-dumping duty. Paper is within the scope of the UK Timber Regulations, so the importer must carry out due diligence on the pulp. Buyers check grammage, brightness, runnability, roll build and moisture.
0% duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, heading 4801 covers newsprint, in rolls or sheets. It is a single code carrying 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure.
Pulp and paper of chapters 47 and 48 are within the scope of the UK Timber Regulations, except bamboo-based and recovered products, so the business that first places them on the GB market must carry out due diligence on the species and country of harvest. Ask for the pulp source and chain of custody certificates, such as FSC or PEFC, with each shipment.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newsprint, in rolls or sheets | 4801 00 00 00 | 0% | None |
Specifying newsprint
Specify grammage, brightness, opacity, recycled content, roll width, diameter and core, sheet size if applicable, moisture, and wrapping. Ask for mill test data and a trial run on your press for a new supplier.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: 50 tonnes of 45 g/m2 newsprint in rolls under 4801 00 00 00, invoiced at £30,000 free on board, with £4,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £34,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £34,000, so it is £6,800. 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: check grammage, brightness and moisture on samples.
Rolls: check diameter, core, splices and wrapping damage.
Documents: check the pulp source and chain of custody evidence. See our quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
Newsprint orders fail on runnability and roll damage. Web breaks from poor splices or weak paper, rolls crushed or wet in transit, and due diligence evidence missing for the pulp.
Cambridge China Bridge sources materials for UK mills and manufacturers with documents agreed before shipment; see small orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on newsprint from China?
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 17 November 2026, newsprint under 4801 00 00 00 carried 0% from China.
Does newsprint fall under the UK Timber Regulations?
Yes. Paper of chapter 48 is in scope, except bamboo-based and recovered products.
What should I check on newsprint rolls?
Grammage, brightness, moisture, splices, core and wrapping.
Is recycled newsprint exempt from due diligence?
Newsprint made entirely from recycled paper that has completed its lifecycle and would otherwise be disposed of as waste is excluded. If it contains both virgin and recycled fibre, only the virgin fibre needs to be assessed under your due diligence system.