China is the world's largest producer of paper and paperboard, manufacturing approximately 25% of global paper output. Chinese paper mills produce tissue and hygiene products, packaging paper, office paper, specialty papers, and cardboard for domestic use and export. Key manufacturing regions include Shandong, Guangdong, and Zhejiang. While paper is a high-volume, low-value product, importing specific specialty papers, premium tissue, or customized paper products from China can be highly cost-effective for the right buyers.
Manufacturing Hubs in China
- Shandong (containerboard, corrugating medium, tissue)
- Guangdong (specialty paper, coated art paper)
- Zhejiang (special-purpose paper, cigarette paper)
- Fujian (household tissue, toilet paper)
- Jiangsu (coated paper, newsprint)
Products We Source
- Tissue and hygiene products (facial tissue, toilet paper, paper towels)
- Cardboard and corrugated medium
- Coated art paper (glossy, matte)
- Office copy paper (A4, A3, letter size)
- Kraft paper and brown paper
- Specialty papers (NCR, thermal paper, release paper)
- Custom printed packaging paper
- Rice paper and cultural art paper
- Bamboo paper (eco-friendly alternative)
Key Certifications & Compliance
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council — sustainable forestry)
- PEFC (Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification)
- ISO 9001
- EU Ecolabel (eco-friendly paper products)
- FDA (food contact paper products — USA)
- EN 643 (EU — grades of paper and board for recycling)
ChinaBajar verifies all certifications and can arrange third-party lab testing before shipment.
Our Sourcing Process
Define Requirements
Share your product specs, target quality level, and required certifications.
Supplier Search
We search verified manufacturers on 1688.com and our local network.
Factory Verification
Background check, license verification, on-site or video audit.
Sampling & Negotiation
Order samples, then negotiate price and MOQ in Mandarin.
Production & QC
Monitor production, conduct AQL 2.5 pre-shipment inspection.
Shipping
FCL/LCL sea freight, air freight, or DDP door-to-door delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paper is heavy and relatively low-value per kg — making shipping costs a significant factor in profitability. Standard office paper (A4) is generally not profitable to import due to low margins and high freight costs versus local production. More profitable paper imports from China: specialty papers (thermal, NCR, release papers) where Chinese prices are significantly lower than local alternatives, premium tissue products (bamboo tissue, ultra-soft facial tissue), custom-printed packaging paper for specific applications, and coated art paper for printing and publishing at scale.
Paper GSM guide: Tissue paper 12–30 GSM (thinner = softer for facial/toilet, thicker for kitchen towel), Office copy paper 70–80 GSM (standard A4), Premium office paper 90–100 GSM, Coated art paper 90–200 GSM (magazines, brochures), Kraft paper 60–120 GSM (packaging), Cardboard/board 200–400 GSM (packaging boxes, greeting cards). Always specify GSM in your purchase order — this is the primary specification for paper weight and thickness. Also specify brightness (whiteness) for office and printing paper.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification ensures paper comes from responsibly managed forests following environmental, social, and economic standards. Chain of Custody (CoC) certification tracks paper from forest to final product. FSC is required by: major retailers (Amazon, Walmart, IKEA), EU Green Public Procurement standards, many corporate sustainability policies. FSC-certified paper from China is available — look for 'FSC 100%' (all virgin fiber from certified forests) or 'FSC Mix' (mix of certified and recycled fiber). Chinese paper mills with FSC certification include major producers like Chenming, Shandong Sun Paper, and Nine Dragons.
A standard 20ft container holds approximately: 20–22 metric tons of office paper (A4 reams), 15–18 tons of corrugated boxes, 18–22 tons of tissue rolls. A 40ft container doubles volume but hits weight limits for dense paper products. Paper absorbs moisture — proper container desiccants and moisture-barrier wrapping are essential for sea freight. Customs classification of paper: most paper falls under HS Chapter 48 — verify the specific subheading for your product type as duty rates vary significantly (0–12% in the EU).
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