Harmonized System
U.S. exports of Uncoated Base Paper for Photo-Sensitive, Heat-Sensitive, or Electro-Sensitive Applications (HS 480220) totaled $366K in August 2026.
Importers of Uncoated Base Paper for Photo-Sensitive, Heat-Sensitive, or Electro-Sensitive Applications paid $20K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.45% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Uncoated Base Paper for Photo-Sensitive, Heat-Sensitive, or Electro-Sensitive Applications imports of $188K in August 2026 ran 39% below the year-to-date monthly average of $309K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataUncoated base paper destined for sensitizing into photographic, thermal, or electrostatic imaging products is a technically demanding substrate requiring precise caliper, formation, and surface chemistry to accept functional coatings downstream. The US schedule subdivides this heading by form — strips and rolls (4802201000), cut sheets for photography (4802202000), and other forms (4802204000/4802204040) — reflecting the distinct converting requirements of each end-use. Japan leads US imports under this heading, consistent with its dominant position in imaging-material manufacturing, with the United Arab Emirates and Canada also present as supply sources. Importers should verify that the paper is genuinely uncoated at the time of import, as pre-sensitized or pre-coated versions fall under different headings.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
15 import shipments a month
Heading 480220 covers paper that is uncoated at the time of importation and is intended to receive a functional sensitizing coating (photographic emulsion, thermal dye layer, or electrostatic coating) after entry. Finished thermal paper already coated with a heat-reactive layer, or photographic paper already bearing a light-sensitive emulsion, is classified under different headings in Chapter 37 or Chapter 48. The uncoated condition at the time of import is the key classification criterion.
The form distinctions — strips and rolls (4802201000) versus cut sheets for photography (4802202000) versus other forms (4802204000/4802204040) — reflect the different converting and end-use contexts: roll stock feeds continuous coating lines for thermal or electrostatic applications, while cut sheets are used in photographic paper manufacturing. The split allows more precise trade monitoring and may carry different duty treatment, so importers should confirm the physical form of their shipment before declaring a specific line.
ImportsExports
Imports
$188KYoY · free account
Exports
$366KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $4.4M of Uncoated Base Paper for Photo-Sensitive, Heat-Sensitive, or Electro-Sensitive Applications and exported $10.1M.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 480220 — Uncoated Base Paper for Photo-Sensitive, Heat-Sensitive, or Electro-Sensitive Applications, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Subheading 8 of 11 in heading 4802
Subheading 480220 · $366K of $29.8M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4802201000 | Unctd Base Ppr to Be Snstzed (Photo Etc) Strps/Rll | $177K | 11.10% | 89.76% | $20K |
| 4802204040 | Ppr/Pbrd for Photo/Heat/Electro Sensitive NESOI | $11K | 0.00% | 0.00% | -- |
| 4802202000 | Unctd Basic Ppr to Be Sensitzd for Photogrphy Cut | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 4802204000 | Unctd Ppr/Pbrd for Photo/Heat/Electro Senstv, NESOI | $309K |
| 4802201000 | Unctd Base Ppr to Be Snstzed (Photo Etc) Strps/Rll | $57K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Mexico and United Kingdom together take 78% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
15.5% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 10.45% of imports for consumption.