Sourcing drawing cartridge paper from China
Uncoated drawing cartridge paper from China under heading 4802 carries 0% UK duty across the relevant lines, with no trade remedies listed. Virgin wood-fibre paper requires timber due diligence before first placement on the Great Britain market. Specify surface tooth, grammage and erasing performance. Cambridge China Bridge sources uncoated drawing cartridge paper.
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Duty on drawing cartridge paper
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 1 October 2026, heading 4802 covers uncoated paper and paperboard for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, in rolls or rectangular sheets, including drawing cartridge paper. This guide concerns loose sheets and rolls. See the watercolour paper guide for wider coverage.
The relevant lines carry 0% duty on goods from China. The supplied tariff record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty, suspensions or attached import controls. For virgin wood-fibre paper, confirm with the relevant authority whether timber due diligence applies when first placed on the Great Britain market.
Confirm the commodity code using the mill's fibre composition, grammage, sheet dimensions and roll or sheet format. The selected table lines concern paper with no more than 10% mechanical or chemi-mechanical fibres by weight of total fibre content.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low mechanical fibre drawing sheets, 40–150 g/m², within 435 × 297 mm | 4802 56 80 00 | 0% | None |
| Low mechanical fibre drawing paper, 40–150 g/m², other sheet sizes | 4802 57 00 00 | 0% | None |
| Low mechanical fibre drawing paper over 150 g/m², in rolls | 4802 58 10 00 | 0% | None |
| Low mechanical fibre drawing paper over 150 g/m², in sheets | 4802 58 90 00 | 0% | None |
Surface tooth, fibre and erasing performance
Specify grammage and tolerance, thickness, sheet dimensions, grain direction, shade, surface tooth and intended media. Agree whether the paper is for graphite, coloured pencil or charcoal. Approve a retained sample using the pencils and erasers your customers use, checking shading, blending, smudging and repeated erasing.
Ask for the fibre mix, sizing details and batch test results. Agree how any acid-free or archival claim will be substantiated. For virgin wood-fibre paper, confirm with the relevant authority what timber due diligence the importer should complete before first placing it on the Great Britain market, including whether fibre species and country of harvest must be documented.
Paper sold as a consumer product in Great Britain must be safe in normal or reasonably foreseeable use. Include the intended users and media in your product assessment.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 1,500 packs of uncoated drawing cartridge sheets under 4802 58 90 00, invoiced at £21,000 free on board, with £3,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £24,000. Duty at 0% is £0. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £24,000, so it is £4,800. 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
Dimensions and weight: measure cut size, squareness, thickness and grammage against the specification, and count sheets in sampled packs.
Drawing surface: compare shade and tooth with the retained sample; test pencil shading and erasing for loose fibres, pilling and surface damage.
Condition and packing: check flatness, moisture, stains, crushed corners and cut-edge dust on arrival; inspect wrapping and carton protection.
Batch records: match pack identification to mill results and fibre documents. Set sampling and acceptance criteria through the quality inspection guide.
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What goes wrong
A visually similar sheet can have a different tooth or sizing, changing pencil grip and blending. Weak surfaces pill under an eraser, while uneven fibre formation produces patchy shading. Grammage and shade can vary between batches. Approve drawing trials as well as appearance before accepting a substitute grade.
Damp packing leaves curled sheets, staining or mould, and poor corner protection damages stock intended for retail packs. Keep affected cartons separate and photograph the condition before unpacking. Missing fibre-origin documents can also leave the importer unable to complete timber due diligence.
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 drawing cartridge paper from China?
The relevant heading 4802 lines carry 0% duty in the supplied tariff record, read on 1 October 2026. No anti-dumping or countervailing duty is listed.
Does drawing cartridge paper need timber due diligence?
For virgin wood-fibre paper first placed on the Great Britain market, confirm timber due-diligence requirements with the relevant authority. Obtain fibre species, country of harvest and supporting sourcing documents before shipment.
How do I check whether cartridge paper erases cleanly?
Use the intended pencils and erasers on production samples. Compare repeated erasing, pilling, residual marks and subsequent shading with the approved retained sample.
Can I buy cartridge paper for watercolour use?
Specify and test that use explicitly. Trial washes for buckling, surface damage and uneven absorption; approval for dry drawing alone does not establish wash performance.