(www.chinapaperonline.com) Chinese authorities approved and released the 7th lot of recovered paper import quota for year 2019 on May 10th. At a total volume of 249,530 metric tons, the quota will allow a number of mid-size paper companies across the country, including Huatai Paper (Hebei) and Century Sunshine Paper, to continue their paper and board production using recycled fiber from imported recovered paper.
By now, Chinese authorities have released 8.25 million metric tons of recovered paper quota through 7 lots, much less than that in the same period of 2018. And to hold firm its position in the ongoing trade war between China and the USA, Chinese government has imposed a 25% tariff on recovered paper shipments from USA, which has further discouraged Chinese mill buyers to source recovered paper from USA. It is expected that Chinese mill buyers will remain cautious in placing orders in the US market, while ordering more from other markets such as Japan and Europe, regardless of better fiber yield and strength of those from USA.