Key facts
- Sourced from 5 origin countries: US, SE, FI, BR, CA.
- Certifications available from the supply base: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, FSC chain of custody.
- Typical minimum order: Typically one 40' container per grade/width; pulp in container or break-bulk lots (typical).
Product overview
India imported about 2.05 Mt of paper and paperboard worth about ₹15,000 crore in FY2024-25, roughly double FY2020-21 (IPMA citing the Commerce Ministry, research file); pulp and waste-paper imports were about US$1.96 bn in FY2025-26 (DGFT, tier 1). China (27%) and ASEAN (20%) lead paper imports; pulp comes mainly from the USA, Canada, Chile and Brazil.
Indian corrugated-box makers rely heavily on recycled kraft from domestic mills; virgin-fibre kraftliner and sack kraft are imported where strength, moisture resistance or export-packaging specifications require them. Paper mills import pulp to raise strength and brightness.
The research file rates paper 3/5: fragmented converter buyers, with Nordic and European grades avoiding the trade-remedy risk on China and Indonesia. Buyers cluster in Gujarat (Morbi, Vapi), western Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Tamil Nadu.
HS note: Kraftliner is 4804.11/4804.19; sack kraft 4804.21/4804.29; chemical wood pulp (sulphate) 4703; recovered paper (OCC) 4707; multi-layer paperboard 4810. Policy measures (MIP, monitoring) are set per HS line.
Specifications
| Grammage | Kraftliner ~125–440 g/m²; sack kraft ~70–100 g/m² (typical) |
|---|---|
| Strength | Burst, ring crush (RCT) and SCT per grade data sheet (typical) |
| Moisture | ~7–9% (typical) |
| Pulp brightness | BEK/NBSK ~88–92% ISO (typical) |
| Form | Reels to buyer's deckle width; pulp in ~250 kg bales, 8-bale units (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Virgin kraftliner
High-strength liner for export cartons and heavy-duty boxes.
Sack kraft
Extensible kraft for cement, chemical and food sacks.
Market pulp (NBSK/BEK/unbleached)
For paper mills improving strength and brightness.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reels | Reels wrapped and end-capped; widths per order (typical) | Handle with clamp trucks; protect from moisture |
| Pulp bales | ~250 kg bales strapped into ~2 t units (typical) | Dense and easy to stow |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP Pulp ~20–24 t; paper reels ~18–22 t (typical) · 40' HC Paper reels ~22–26 t (weight-limited, typical). Reel diameter and width determine stowage
Customisation: Deckle widths, grammage and reel diameter to converter requirements
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Gujarat
Morbi, Vapi, Ahmedabad
Kraft paper mills and corrugators
Uttar Pradesh
Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Noida
Kraft mills and box makers
Punjab / Haryana
Ludhiana, Yamunanagar
Paper mills and packaging converters
Tamil Nadu
Chennai, Sivakasi, Coimbatore
Printing, packaging and paper mills
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Pune, Bhiwandi
Corrugators, sack makers and FMCG packaging
Sourcing origins
US
Savannah (port), Charleston (port), Seattle/Tacoma (ports)
Large supplier of virgin kraftliner, sack kraft and softwood/fluff pulp from the US South and Pacific Northwest.
SE
Gothenburg (port), Sundsvall, Piteå
Nordic virgin kraftliner and sack kraft with high strength; low trade-remedy risk.
FI
Kotka (port), Oulu
Kraftliner, sack kraft and NBSK pulp.
BR
Santos (port), Três Lagoas, Aracruz
Bleached eucalyptus kraft (BEK) pulp — the main hardwood pulp source.
CA
Vancouver (port), Prince George
NBSK softwood pulp.
Origin market notes
European Union
Swedish and Finnish mills supply premium virgin kraftliner and sack kraft at higher prices; the research file notes Nordic/European grades avoid the remedy risk on Chinese and Indonesian paperboard.
United States & Canada
US mills export virgin kraftliner and pulp in large volumes; transit to India ~35–50 days (ASSUMPTION). Canada supplies NBSK pulp from British Columbia.
Other markets
Brazil is the leading BEK hardwood pulp source; large producers sell through agents to Indian mills.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: a minimum import price of ₹67,220/t applies to multi-layer paperboard (HS 4810 lines), an anti-dumping probe on Indonesian paperboard is under way, and a décor-paper ADD hearing (China) was held in Nov 2026 (research file). DGFT's Paper Import Monitoring System (PIMS) has required importer registration for many chapter-48 lines since 2022 — confirm whether it still applies to your HS code (ASSUMPTION). Pulp (4703) has no such measures to our knowledge. Sources: research/02-indian-imports.md; https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/business/2025/05/30/dcm19-biz-paper-imports.html; http://www.dgtr.gov.in/en.
Quality control
- • Mill test certificate per reel/lot
- • Moisture and strength checks on arrival
- • Inspection for reel damage and water stains
- • FSC/PEFC chain-of-custody documents where claimed
Certifications available
- • ISO 9001
- • ISO 14001
- • FSC chain of custody
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin
- • Mill test certificate
- • FSC chain-of-custody certificate (where claimed)
- • Paper Import Monitoring System registration (if applicable)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Paper and paperboard (virgin-fibre board, coated) | unavailable | unavailable | theweek.in |
2.05 Mt, ~Rs 15,000 cr FY25 (IPMA citing Commerce Ministry); volume doubled since FY21; China 27% (+33%), ASEAN 20%; Comtrade ch.48 USD 3.1 bn CY2025
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum import price on paper in India?
Yes for multi-layer paperboard, which carries a minimum import price of ₹67,220 per tonne according to the research file. Check the DGFT notification for which HS lines it covers before importing.
Do paper imports need registration in India?
DGFT's Paper Import Monitoring System has required online registration for many chapter-48 imports since 2022. Confirm whether it still applies to your HS code.
Which countries supply kraftliner and pulp to India?
The USA, Sweden and Finland for virgin kraftliner and sack kraft; Brazil, the USA, Canada and Chile for pulp.
Why import virgin kraftliner when India makes recycled kraft?
Virgin fibre gives higher strength and moisture resistance per gram, which export cartons, heavy-duty boxes and cement sacks often need.
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