United States was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Adhesive tapes backed with paper, such as masking and gummed packing tape. Buyers are packaging users, painters and manufacturers.
Typical segments
- Masking tape
- Gummed paper tape
- Kraft packaging tape
- Washi tape
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value rose 26% from 2020 to 2025, a direct read on EU demand for sourced supply.
- Supply is concentrated: one country provided a large share of extra-EU imports in 2025.
Key figures
Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.
| Figure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| The EU imported €53.6 million of products under CN code 48114900 (Gummed or adhesive paper and paperboard, surface-coloured, surface-decorated or printed,) from outside the EU in 2025. | 53.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 48114900 were up 26% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€42.6 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | +26 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48114900 to countries outside the EU were worth €50.4 million in 2025. | 50.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 48114900 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €134.8 million in 2025. | 134.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United States was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 48114900 to the EU in 2025, with €13.4 million, or 25% of extra-EU imports. | 13.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48114900 to the United States were €5.4 million in 2025. | 5.4 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 48114900 was €4.10 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 4.10 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Germany was the largest EU exporter of CN 48114900 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €20.7 million. | 20.7 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 4,840 enterprises in NACE class C1729 (Manufacture of other articles of paper and paperboard) in 2023. | 4,840 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1729 had net turnover of €15.00 billion in 2021. | 15.00 EUR billion | 2021 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1729 employed 70,000 people across the EU in 2023. | 70,000 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 1,076 private establishments in NAICS 322220 (Paper bag and coated and treated paper manufacturing) in 2025. | 1,076 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 322220 employed an average of 53,570 people in US private industry in 2025. | 53,570 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| US employment in NAICS 322220 changed by -0% between 2020 (53,625 jobs) and 2025, calculated from BLS figures. | -0 % since 2020 | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 322220 was $78,699 in 2025. | 78,699 USD per year | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
Sources and method
The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 1
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 53581291
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114900, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 42553047; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 53581291
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 50435622
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114900, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 134823667
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114900, partner US, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13417793
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114900, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 5434718
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48114900, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 53581291, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 130712
- Figure 1
- Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 8
DS-045409, reporter DE, product 48114900, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 20713330
- Figure 8
- Eurostat: Enterprises by detailed NACE Rev. 2 activity and special aggregates (sbs_ovw_act) (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 9
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1729, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 4840
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1729, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2021, 15000
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1729, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 70000
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322220, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322220, annual_avg_estabs 1076
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322220, annual_avg_emplvl 53570
- Figure 14
QCEW 2020 annual_avg_emplvl 53625; 2025 annual_avg_emplvl 53570
- Figure 15
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322220, avg_annual_pay 78699
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Packaging users
- Paint and body shops
- Manufacturers
Large non-EU suppliers to the EU
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the European Union market - 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 05Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 06Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 07Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 08Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 09Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 10Method and sources
Every assumption and source, listed
Included with the full report
- PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
- Excel data pack
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- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU paper tapes market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €53.6 million of goods under CN 48114900 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €50.4 million.
Where does the EU import paper tapes from?
United States was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United Kingdom, Switzerland.
What is the average import price of paper tapes in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €4.10 per kilogram for CN 48114900 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most paper tapes?
Germany led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Italy, Sweden.
How many US companies are in the paper tapes industry?
BLS counts 1,076 private establishments in NAICS 322220 (Paper bag and coated and treated paper manufacturing), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the paper tapes industry?
Eurostat counts 4,840 enterprises in NACE class C1729 (Manufacture of other articles of paper and paperboard).
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