---
title: "HS 48 Paper and paperboard: India's trade and top markets · SSL"
description: "India's 2024 trade in HS 48: exports USD 2.6 B, imports USD 3.2 B. Top-10 markets and suppliers from UN Comtrade, plus the certificates usually needed."
url: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/48/
canonical: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/48/
updated: 2026-11-11
lang: en-IN
publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited
---

HS chapter 48

# Paper and paperboard

Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard. India sold USD 2.6 B of it abroad in 2024 and bought USD 3.2 B. It is a top-five export to 3 countries in our data.

**USD 2.6 B** India's exports, 2024 · 0.6% of all exports

**USD 3.2 B** India's imports, 2024 · 0.5% of all imports

**Net importer** balance USD 609.3 M

Exports 45% Imports 55%

## Top 10 markets for India's exports

1. #1 [United States](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-states/) **USD 442.4 M** 17%
2. #2 [United Arab Emirates](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-arab-emirates/) **USD 373.9 M** 14%
3. #3 [United Kingdom](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-kingdom/) **USD 135.7 M** 5%
4. #4 [Sri Lanka](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/sri-lanka/) **USD 131.3 M** 5%
5. #5 [Saudi Arabia](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/saudi-arabia/) **USD 98.8 M** 4%
6. #6 [Nepal](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/nepal/) **USD 92.1 M** 4%
7. #7 [Bangladesh](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/bangladesh/) **USD 84.2 M** 3%
8. #8 [Kenya](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/kenya/) **USD 82.7 M** 3%
9. #9 [Netherlands](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/netherlands/) **USD 55.7 M** 2%
10. #10 [Tanzania](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/tanzania/) **USD 55.7 M** 2%

## Top 10 suppliers to India

1. #1 [China](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/china/) **USD 857.2 M** 27%
2. #2 [Indonesia](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/indonesia/) **USD 262.9 M** 8%
3. #3 [United States](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/united-states/) **USD 218.6 M** 7%
4. #4 [Canada](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/canada/) **USD 210.4 M** 7%
5. #5 [South Korea](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/south-korea/) **USD 196.4 M** 6%
6. #6 [Thailand](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/thailand/) **USD 161.9 M** 5%
7. #7 [Russia](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/russia/) **USD 161.4 M** 5%
8. #8 [Japan](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/japan/) **USD 156.8 M** 5%
9. #9 [Sweden](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/sweden/) **USD 145.9 M** 5%
10. #10 [Germany](https://safeandsecure.in/global/countries/germany/) **USD 118.1 M** 4%

Source: UN Comtrade public API, reporter India (699), 2024, HS 2022 chapter 48; exports FOB, imports CIF · retrieved 29 Sep 2026.

## Certificates and permits usually involved

Wood and paper: a phytosanitary certificate for wood; ISPM-15 treatment marks on wooden packaging.

General guidance, verify per product with the regulator and your customs broker. See the [documents checklist](https://safeandsecure.in/global/guides/documents-checklist/).

SSL's fleet carries this cargo by road to and from India's ports, airports and land borders; our desk arranges the sea or air leg. [Ask our desk →](https://safeandsecure.in/ship/quote/?service=export)

## HS 48: questions

**How much HS 48 does India export?**

India exported USD 2.6 B of HS chapter 48 (paper and paperboard) in 2024, 0.6% of India's exports. The largest market was United States at USD 442.4 M. Source: UN Comtrade, India as reporter, 2024.

**Where does India buy HS 48 from?**

India imported USD 3.2 B of chapter 48 in 2024, most of it from China (USD 857.2 M). Source: UN Comtrade, India as reporter, 2024, imports CIF.

**What certificates does HS 48 usually need?**

Wood and paper: a phytosanitary certificate for wood; ISPM-15 treatment marks on wooden packaging. This is general guidance; verify the exact product line with the regulator and your customs broker.

---

Source: https://safeandsecure.in/global/commodities/48/ (the HTML page is the record; this markdown twin was generated from it on 2026-11-11). Publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited, https://safeandsecure.in/. Figures and their periods: https://safeandsecure.in/facts/