United Kingdom was the largest outside supplier.
What this market covers
Paper made with watermarks, fibres and threads so that documents such as banknotes, cheques and certificates are hard to forge. Printers and issuing authorities are the main buyers.
Typical segments
- Banknote paper
- Cheque and certificate paper
- Passport paper
- Watermarked paper
Source: Eurostat
Why this market is moving now
- Extra-EU import value fell 50% 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 €15.8 million of products under CN code 48025890 (Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic) from outside the EU in 2025. | 15.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Extra-EU imports of CN 48025890 were down 50% in 2025 compared with 2020 (€31.7 million), calculated from Eurostat values. | -50 % since 2020 | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48025890 to countries outside the EU were worth €164.3 million in 2025. | 164.3 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Trade between EU member states in CN 48025890 (intra-EU arrivals) came to €249.1 million in 2025. | 249.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier of CN 48025890 to the EU in 2025, with €7.6 million, or 48% of extra-EU imports. | 7.6 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| EU exports of CN 48025890 to the United States were €13.8 million in 2025. | 13.8 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The average value of extra-EU imports of CN 48025890 was €2.31 per kilogram in 2025, calculated from Eurostat value and weight. | 2.31 EUR per kg | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Italy was the largest EU exporter of CN 48025890 to non-EU countries in 2025, at €59.1 million. | 59.1 EUR million | 2025 | Eurostat |
| The EU had 1,621 enterprises in NACE class C1712 (Manufacture of paper and paperboard) in 2023. | 1,621 enterprises | 2023 | Eurostat |
| EU enterprises in NACE class C1712 had net turnover of €82.82 billion in 2023. | 82.82 EUR billion | 2023 | Eurostat |
| NACE class C1712 employed 141,869 people across the EU in 2023. | 141,869 persons employed | 2023 | Eurostat |
| The US had 535 private establishments in NAICS 322120 (Paper mills) in 2025. | 535 establishments | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| NAICS 322120 employed an average of 48,670 people in US private industry in 2025. | 48,670 jobs | 2025 | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Average annual pay in US NAICS 322120 was $101,938 in 2025. | 101,938 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 48025890, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 15848924
- Figure 2
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48025890, flow import, 2020 VALUE_IN_EUROS 31696305; 2025 VALUE_IN_EUROS 15848924
- Figure 3
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48025890, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 164327905
- Figure 4
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48025890, partner INT_EU27_2020, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 249140541
- Figure 5
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48025890, partner GB, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 7580690
- Figure 6
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48025890, partner US, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 13816330
- Figure 7
DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 48025890, flow import, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 15848924, QUANTITY_IN_100KG 68601
- 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 IT, product 48025890, partner EXT_EU27_2020, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 59110303
- 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 C1712, indic_sbs ENT_NR, 2023, 1621
- Figure 10
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1712, indic_sbs NETTUR_MEUR, 2023, 82818
- Figure 11
sbs_ovw_act, geo EU27_2020, nace_r2 C1712, indic_sbs EMP_NR, 2023, 141869
- Figure 9
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: QCEW annual averages, NAICS 322120, 2025 (2026-11-04)
Quoted lines
- Figure 12
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322120, annual_avg_estabs 535
- Figure 13
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322120, annual_avg_emplvl 48670
- Figure 14
QCEW 2025 annual, US000, private, NAICS 322120, avg_annual_pay 101938
- Figure 12
Buyers and suppliers
Who buys
- Central banks
- Government printers
- Document issuers
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
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- Excel data pack
- Ready-to-use charts
- Method note and assumptions
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the EU security paper market?
There is no single official market total. Eurostat trade data shows the EU imported €15.8 million of goods under CN 48025890 from outside the EU in 2025 and exported €164.3 million.
Where does the EU import security paper from?
United Kingdom was the largest non-EU supplier in 2025. Other large suppliers included China, United States, Indonesia.
What is the average import price of security paper in the EU?
Dividing Eurostat import value by weight gives about €2.31 per kilogram for CN 48025890 in 2025.
Which EU countries export the most security paper?
Italy led EU exports to non-EU countries in 2025, followed by Germany, France.
How many US companies are in the security paper industry?
BLS counts 535 private establishments in NAICS 322120 (Paper mills), the closest official industry.
How many EU companies are in the security paper industry?
Eurostat counts 1,621 enterprises in NACE class C1712 (Manufacture of paper and paperboard).
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