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Paper and Paperboard from South Korea Tariff: 10% (2026)

Tariff Rate Breakdown

10%

Section 122 Base

10%

Effective Rate

KORUS — qualifying goods may enter duty-free

South Korea is a significant source of paper and paperboard imports into the United States, with approximately $169B in total bilateral trade.

The current tariff framework for paper and paperboard from South Korea 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. South Korea'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 (HTS Chapter 48) carry an average MFN duty rate of 0.5% in addition to the base forced-labor tariff. No additional Section 232 or Section 301 surcharges apply to most products in this category from South Korea.

South Korea is party to the KORUS, which may provide preferential or duty-free access for qualifying paper and paperboard. Importers should verify rules of origin requirements to take advantage of preferential rates.

Key products in HTS Chapter 48 imported from South Korea 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 South Korea?

As of mid-2026, paper and paperboard from South Korea 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. The effective rate is about 10% on the most-affected products.

Will the tariff on paper and paperboard from South Korea change?

The flat 10% Section 122 tariff expired July 24, 2026 and was replaced the same day by the Section 301 forced-labor tariff; South Korea's current 10% base surcharge is that two-tier (10%/12.5%) rate, covering roughly 60 economies. 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 South Korea?

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 South Korea). Qualifying goods under KORUS may still enter duty-free.