Mixed paper and cardboard waste exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of mixed paper and cardboard waste by the United States reached $420.3 million in 2024 (2.12 million tonnes). That makes it the largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 147 countries. That is 15% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $779.4 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $420.3M | 2.12M t |
| 2023 | $492.1M | 2.85M t |
| 2022 | $766.0M | 3.16M t |
| 2021 | $779.4M | 3.41M t |
| 2020 | $410.5M | 2.73M t |
| 2019 | $419.9M | 3.02M t |
| 2018 | $433.3M | 2.65M t |
| 2017 | $695.9M | 3.70M t |
Where the United States exports mixed paper and cardboard waste to
Most of it went to India (27%), Thailand (25%), Canada (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Indonesia grew fastest (+125% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $115.1M | 27% |
| Thailand | $106.7M | 25% |
| Canada | $61.9M | 15% |
| Indonesia | $27.9M | 6.7% |
| Mexico | $24.8M | 5.9% |
| El Salvador | $14.4M | 3.4% |
| Guatemala | $13.5M | 3.2% |
| China | $12.5M | 3% |
| Malaysia | $8.4M | 2% |
| Taiwan | $8.4M | 2% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.20 per kg, close to the world average of $0.18.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Mixed paper and cardboard waste imports to the United States
In 2024, the United States imported mixed paper and cardboard waste worth $43.4 million (227.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 2%. Canada alone supplied 93% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $40.2M | 93% |
| Mexico | $2.3M | 5.2% |
| New Zealand | $494K | 1.1% |
| Germany | $145K | 0.3% |
| Dominican Republic | $127K | 0.3% |
| Brazil | $77K | 0.2% |
| Poland | $48K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $8K | 0% |
| Turkey | $7K | 0% |
| China | $5K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States mixed paper and cardboard waste exports (HS 4707.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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 4707.90: Paper or paperboard: waste and scrap, of paper or paperboard n.e.c. in heading no. 4707 and of unsorted waste and scrap.
Common questions
What is the value of mixed paper and cardboard waste exported by the United States?
The United States exported mixed paper and cardboard waste worth $420.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.12 million tonnes. That ranks it 1st of 147 countries worldwide, with 22% of world exports. The value was down 15% on 2023.
Which countries buy mixed paper and cardboard waste from the United States?
India was the largest buyer with 27% of the value ($115.1 million), followed by Thailand (25%) and Canada (15%). The top three together account for 68%, out of 76 buyer countries in total. Indonesia grew fastest among the top ten, up 125% on the year.
What is the average export price of mixed paper and cardboard waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.20 per kg in 2024, 11% above the world average of $0.18 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of mixed paper and cardboard waste from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $695.9 million in 2017 to $420.3 million in 2024, a fall of 40%. The peak was 2021 at $779.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $552.2 million a year.
Does the United States also import mixed paper and cardboard waste?
Yes. The United States imported $43.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $376.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for mixed paper and cardboard waste?
The HS code for mixed paper and cardboard waste is subheading 4707.90. It sits in HS chapter 47 (pulp of wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4707 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for the United States reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World mixed paper and cardboard waste trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United States
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