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Paper and Paperboard from China Tariff: 35% (2026)

Tariff Rate Breakdown

10%

Section 122 Base

25%

Section 301

35%

Effective Rate

Importers sourcing paper and paperboard from China face specific tariff considerations, with approximately $575B in total bilateral trade.

The current tariff framework for paper and paperboard from China reflects the post-SCOTUS landscape: a 10% base tariff under the Section 301 forced-labor tariff that replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026, which had itself replaced the previously higher IEEPA rates after the Court's February 2026 ruling.

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff was subject to a 150-day statutory time limit and expired on July 24, 2026. It was replaced the same day by USTR's Section 301 forced-labor tariff — a two-tier 10%/12.5% duty on roughly 60 economies (about 99.4% of US imports by value), broader than the earlier 46-country proposal. China's current 10% base surcharge is that forced-labor rate; in August 2026, 25 states sued at the Court of International Trade to block it, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.

Paper and Paperboard from China are also subject to Section 301 tariffs, which range from 25% to 100% depending on the specific product classification. Section 301 tariffs were not affected by the Supreme Court ruling and remain in full effect. Combined with the 10% forced-labor base rate, importers may face effective rates of about 35% or more.

Key products in HTS Chapter 48 imported from China include Printing paper, Corrugated boxes, Tissue paper, Kraft paper, Newsprint, and Filter paper.

Common Products in Chapter 48

Printing paperCorrugated boxesTissue paperKraft paperNewsprintFilter paperCoated paperPaper bagsWallpaper

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current tariff rate on paper and paperboard from China?

As of mid-2026, paper and paperboard from China face a base tariff of 10% under the Section 301 forced-labor tariff, which replaced the flat 10% Section 122 rate on July 24, 2026. Section 301 tariffs of 25-100% also apply to covered Chinese goods. The effective rate is about 35% on the most-affected products.

Will the tariff on paper and paperboard from China change?

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff; China's current 10% base surcharge is that two-tier (10%/12.5%) rate, covering roughly 60 economies. Existing Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods have no set expiration. In August 2026, 25 states sued to block the forced-labor tariff, but CBP continues collecting it while the case proceeds.

How did the Supreme Court ruling affect paper and paperboard imports from China?

The Supreme Court's February 20, 2026 ruling struck down IEEPA reciprocal tariffs as exceeding presidential authority. The president signed a replacement flat 10% tariff under Section 122 the same day, effective February 24; that rate expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff (now 10% for China).