Pharmaceutical folding cartons typically require solid bleached sulfate (SBS) board for its high brightness, cleanliness, and low contaminant profile. Recycled-fiber substrates may not meet the purity standards required for direct or indirect drug contact. Importers should obtain substrate compliance documentation from the converter and verify that the board meets applicable FDA indirect food/drug contact requirements before approving a foreign source.

Folding cartons must erect cleanly and consistently on automated filling lines running at high speeds; poor scoring or dimensional variation causes jams, misalignment, and line stoppages. Importers sourcing folding cartons offshore should require pre-production samples tested on the actual filling equipment, and contracts should specify dimensional tolerances and crease-quality acceptance criteria to protect against non-conforming shipments.