These are the latest HMRC export figures for March 2025 for key paper and cardboard grades. Only destinations of more than 1,000 tonnes per month are included.
OCC – Commodity code 470710
Exports of OCC to the majority of deep sea destinations in March saw a decrease in waste exports departing UK shores.
A total of 231,215 tonnes were exported in March, down from 246,123 tonnes in February.
India continue to be the leading destination for OCC exports, registering 69,165 tonnes in March, which was significantly up on February that registered 53,064 tonnes.
It was a mixed picture for other leading destinations. Some destinations saw an increase, however destinations such as Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand saw a significant decrease compared to February.
Destinations across Europe remained steady overall.
| March 2025 | February 2025 | March 2024 | |
| India | 69,165 | 53,064 | 20,309 |
| Turkey | 48,634 | 10,554 | 37,819 |
| Malaysia | 36,333 | 49,625 | 45,365 |
| Vietnam | 24,797 | 64,538 | 27,363 |
| Indonesia | 16,909 | 25,606 | 22,918 |
| Netherlands | 7,808 | 7,046 | 6,778 |
| Thailand | 7,471 | 20,564 | 14,150 |
| Germany | 6,633 | 4,733 | 7,552 |
| France | 5,660 | 3,140 | 2,737 |
| Spain | 2,543 | 3,342 | 2,025 |
| Belgium | 2,356 | 3,284 | 2,299 |
| Pakistan | 1,279 | 121 | 144 |
| Poland | 1,063 | 887 | 957 |
Mixed paper – Commodity code 470790
Exports of mixed paper again saw little fluctuation in March – with a total of 81,301 tonnes departing from UK shores, compared with 80,377 tonnes in February.
India remained the dominant destination for mixed paper exports in March 2025, despite registering a marginal decrease in tonnage, with 44,344 tonnes received in March compared to 44,756 tonnes in February.
Exports to the Netherlands continue to bounce back, registering 10,057 tonnes in March compared to 9,122 tonnes the previous month, although still significantly down year-on-year.
Across Europe, mixed paper exports registered a relatively stable picture.
| March 2025 | February 2025 | March 2024 | |
| India | 44,344 | 44,756 | 56,095 |
| Netherlands | 11,495 | 10,057 | 31,352 |
| Germany | 8,990 | 7,092 | 12,835 |
| France | 3,450 | 3,332 | 15,717 |
| Vietnam | 2,947 | 3,420 | 5,708 |
| Spain | 2,597 | 1,164 | 5,572 |
| Indonesia | 2,131 | 2,698 | 6,349 |
| Thailand | 1,790 | 1,103 | 5,149 |
| Malaysia | 1,277 | 4,396 | 10,468 |
News & Pams – Commodity code 470730
Exports of this grade saw a reduction in tonnage leaving UK shores during March compared to February.
A total of 12,662 tonnes left the UK in March, which is a small decrease in the volume of exported material compared with 15,673 leaving the UK in February.
| March 2025 | February 2025 | March 2024 | |
| India | 6,841 | 8,478 | 6,175 |
| Belgium | 1,925 | 1,985 | 864 |
| Netherlands | 1,534 | 1,455 | 2,993 |
| Germany | 1,177 | 1,686 | 1,897 |
