India to introduce new quality control order for imported paper

This mandatory quality certification will apply to writing and printing paper, coated paper, and boards used for packaging by the consumer products industry.

According to reports, this move is aimed at tightening controls on substandard paper product imports, particularly from China.

This comes against the backdrop of supply concerns following China’s move to halt exports of rare earth magnets, a key component of electric vehicles, to India and other countries.

Once the QCO comes into force, import consignments will be subject to BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification requirements, leading to delays in customs clearance and higher compliance costs for foreign suppliers.

India sources a substantial amount of coated and uncoated paper from China, Indonesia, and South Korea.

India’s imports of paper and paperboard have been steadily rising over the past five years, according to data from the commerce ministry. Imports rose from 1.08-mt in FY21 to 2.06-mt in FY25.

In FY25, imports of paper and paperboard from China recorded a 33% jump in volume, and the Asean countries of South East Asia accounted for about 20% of total imports. In value terms, overall imports touched nearly USD 1.81-billion during the year, with China’s share amounting to about USD 800-million. 

According to industry insiders, cheap imports are having a serious negative impact on the domestic paper industry, making many small and medium-sized mills commercially unviable.

Out of over 850–900 paper mills in the country, only around 550 are currently operational. This is a significant setback for a sector that traditionally supported a large number of rural and small-scale livelihoods.

According to Rohit Pandit, secretary general of the Indian Paper Manufacturers Association (IPMA), “Indian consumers deserve quality products, whether manufactured domestically or imported. QCOs ensure the supply of quality products to Indian consumers, prevent unfair trade practices and check the import of substandard products into the country.”

He added, “To make India globally competitive in the world market, the government has been emphasising the need for the domestic industry to manufacture high-quality products. IPMA has been pursuing with the government the need to issue QCOs for different grades of paper.”

(Source: Agencies)