Sourcing paper tubes and cores from China

0% duty

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 27 September 2026, heading 4822 covers bobbins, spools, cops and similar supports of paper pulp, paper or paperboard, whether or not perforated or hardened. Both lines, supports for winding textile yarn and other supports such as cores for film, tape and paper, carried 0% on goods from China, with no anti-dumping measure. For paper rolls, see our copier and printing paper sourcing guide.

Plastic cores are classified as plastics, and printed mailing tubes and composite cans sold as packaging may fall in other paper headings, so confirm the commodity code for each product. For drum packaging, see our fibre drum sourcing guide.

Timber rules and core testing

Paper and paperboard products containing virgin wood fibre are within the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2013, so the first business placing them on the GB market must carry out due diligence on the legality of that fibre. Wholly recycled products are excluded, and for mixed virgin and recycled material only the virgin component needs assessment. Ask the mill for the source of the board and any chain-of-custody certificate.

The ISO 11093 series sets test methods for paper and board cores, including dimensions, flat crush and radial crush resistance and moisture content. Name the methods and limits in the specification so both sides measure the same way.

Specifying cores

Specify internal diameter and tolerance, wall thickness, length and end finish (square cut, notched or bevelled), crush and bending strength, moisture content, board grade and plies, surface finish (plain, printed, waxed or dust-free), roundness and straightness, and packing on pallets with moisture protection.

Worked duty example

Suppose, purely for illustration, you import 40,000 paper cores of 76 mm internal diameter for winding film under 4822 90 00 00. At £8,000 free on board and £1,500 to ship and insure, the customs value is £9,500. With 0% duty on paper cores, the only charge is import VAT: 20% of £9,500, or £1,900. VAT-registered businesses usually recover that in their next return. The method is set out in how UK import duty and VAT work.

Inspection checklist

Dimensions: measure internal diameter with a plug gauge, wall thickness, length, roundness and straightness on sampled cores to the ISO 11093 methods.

Strength and moisture: test flat or radial crush against the agreed minimum and check moisture content, because damp cores lose strength and swell.

Finish: check ends are clean and square, surfaces are free of loose dust and paper shreds, and cores are stacked to avoid ovality.

What goes wrong

Core orders fail on diameter, strength and moisture. Internal diameters are tight so cores will not fit the chuck, walls crush on the winder, damp cores warp in transit, and dust from cut ends contaminates film or label lines. For label rolls, see our direct thermal paper label guide.

Gauge diameters, test crush strength and moisture before shipping, and wrap pallets. See our quality inspection guide.

Cambridge China Bridge sources paper cores and tubes for UK converters and textile mills, checking the tube maker's test equipment first. See second supplier.