Skip to content Print VAT checker / VAT on unprinted paper Is there VAT on unprinted paper? Unprinted paper is standard-rated (20% VAT) in the UK under HMRC VAT Notice 701/10, section 8.
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL TAXMAN 20% Blank paper. My favourite. Twenty per cent.
Unprinted paper
20% VAT
Blank paper is standard-rated. It's only zero-rated once it's become a book, leaflet or similar.
Is there VAT on unprinted paper? Unprinted paper is standard-rated (20% VAT) in the UK under HMRC VAT Notice 701/10, section 8. Blank paper is standard-rated. It's only zero-rated once it's become a book, leaflet or similar.
Where does this come from? HMRC VAT Notice 701/10, section 8, HMRC's guidance on zero rating books and printed matter. Read the notice on GOV.UK ↗
Also called paper, blank paper, card stock, copier paper, a4 paper, graph paper, manuscript paper
Why this exists Some print is 0% VAT, some is 20%, and the rules are about what a thing is , not what you call it. Search using the words you use for your print job.
How we check the guidance Every answer names the HMRC paragraph it rests on, with a link. We check HMRC's guidance for changes every day. If it changes, a notice goes up on every page until the answers have been reviewed.
We are printers based in Nottingham and London. We work with the NHS, NCHA, LUNA Students, DHP Family and Urban Outfitters. Get a quote .
Checked against HMRC's guidance on 22 September 2026. HMRC last changed its print VAT rules on 31 July 2020.
Guidance only, not tax advice. Based on HMRC VAT Notices 701/10, 701/14 and 701/58. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. If the exact liability matters, check with HMRC or your accountant. Privacy
