Photographic base paper trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in photographic base paper was worth $158.8 million in 2024, about 72.8 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 19% since 2017, and down 7% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $158.8M | 72.8K t |
| 2023 | $171.5M | 81.3K t |
| 2022 | $200.1M | 104.4K t |
| 2021 | $149.7M | 79.7K t |
| 2020 | $151.2M | 97.8K t |
| 2019 | $169.8M | 112.0K t |
| 2018 | $184.1M | 114.9K t |
| 2017 | $195.9M | 134.8K t |
Top photographic base paper exporting countries
China is the largest exporter with 17% of world exports, followed by Japan and the United States. The top three supply 37% between them, out of 101 exporting countries.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $27.1M | 17% |
| Japan | $17.4M | 11% |
| United States | $14.4M | 9.1% |
| Italy | $13.9M | 8.8% |
| Germany | $12.5M | 7.9% |
| Sweden | $11.5M | 7.3% |
| Portugal | $11.5M | 7.2% |
| France | $6.0M | 3.8% |
| Belgium | $4.3M | 2.7% |
| Brazil | $3.5M | 2.2% |
| Ireland | $3.4M | 2.1% |
| Finland | $3.3M | 2.1% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
The largest importers are the Netherlands (14%), China (11%) and Belgium (10%). 199 countries imported it, and the top three take 36% of the value.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $21.9M | 14% |
| China | $18.2M | 12% |
| Belgium | $16.4M | 10% |
| Canada | $9.1M | 5.8% |
| Indonesia | $8.2M | 5.1% |
| France | $6.9M | 4.4% |
| United Kingdom | $5.7M | 3.6% |
| Hungary | $5.1M | 3.2% |
| Mexico | $4.1M | 2.6% |
| United States | $3.6M | 2.3% |
| Germany | $3.3M | 2.1% |
| Dominican Republic | $3.2M | 2% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $2.18 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Sweden averaged $12.03 per kg and Portugal $1.40 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Related product types
- Handmade paper
- Wallpaper base paper
- Light printing paper (under 40g/m2)
- Printing paper 40-150g/m2 (rolls)
- Printing paper 40-150g/m2 (small sheets)
- Printing paper 40-150g/m2 (large sheets)
- Heavyweight printing paper (over 150g/m2)
- Mechanical pulp printing paper (rolls)
- Mechanical pulp printing paper (small sheets)
- Mechanical pulp printing paper (large sheets)
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
The shipment records behind Photographic base paper (HS 4802.20) importers and exporters, worldwide: companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 4802.20: Uncoated paper and paperboard (not 4801 or 4803): of a kind used as a base for photo-sensitive, heat-sensitive or electro-sensitive paper or paperboard, in rolls or sheets. HS 4802 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most photographic base paper?
China exported $27.1 million in 2024, 17% of the world total, followed by Japan (11%) and the United States (9%). In all, 101 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most photographic base paper?
The Netherlands imported $21.9 million in 2024, 14% of world imports, ahead of China (11%) and Belgium (10%). The top three importers together take 36%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in photographic base paper?
It was worth $158.8 million in 2024, about 72.8 thousand tonnes. That is a fall of 19% since 2017. The peak year was 2022 at $200.1 million. 101 countries reported exports and 199 reported imports.
What is the average price of photographic base paper per kg?
The world average declared value was about $2.18 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, Sweden averaged $12.03 per kg and Portugal $1.40 per kg, so grade and origin matter. The average mixes every grade and size, so use it as a market reference rather than an offer.
What is the HS code for photographic base paper?
The HS code for photographic base paper is subheading 4802.20, in chapter 48 (paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard). The first six digits are the same in every country; national tariffs add more. The full list of codes is on the HS 4802 page.
How can I find photographic base paper buyers and suppliers?
Company names sit below these country totals: EximDataX reads the customs records shipment by shipment, with dates and values. We can show photographic base paper buyers and suppliers on a short call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.