Top 10 Best Notebook And Journal Exporters for the U.S. in 2025
- Leo Xia
- May 17
- 4 min read
Quick Content Reach:
The U.S. imported roughly US $961 million in paper notebooks in 2024—and volumes keep climbing despite tariff turbulence. Choosing the right exporter can shave weeks off lead‑times, cut landed cost by double digits, and protect your brand from compliance surprises. After 20‑plus years running notebook programs for North‑American retailers, I’ve developed a simple score‑card—lead‑time, duty exposure, quality certifications, capacity, and sustainability—to separate marketing fluff from factories that really deliver. Below you’ll find the ten notebook and journal exporters I trust most for the U.S. market in 2025, plus the evidence behind each pick.
Why exporter choice matters in 2025
Tariff whiplash is real. Even after the May 12, 2025 90‑day tariff rollback, baseline duties on HS 4820 notebooks can still swing from 0 % (under special schemes) to 30 % overnight.
Demand is accelerating. Stationery imports grew 9.4 % YoY in 2024.
E‑E‑A‑T matters. Buyers—and Google—now scrutinize supplier audits, FSC logs, and social‑compliance records.
How I ranked the exporters
Criterion | Weight | Why it matters |
Duty exposure & routing | 25 % | Direct impact on landed cost |
Production lead‑time | 20 % | Back‑to‑school calendars wait for no one |
Certifications (ISO 9001, FSC, CPSIA, BSCI) | 20 % | Lowers compliance risk |
Capacity & scalability | 20 % | Can the line handle 100 k units/week? |
Sustainability & traceability | 15 % | Increasingly demanded by big‑box retail |
(Sources include LinkedIn disclosures, customs databases, corporate annual reports, and third‑party audit portals referenced throughout.)
The Top 10 Best Notebook and Journal Exporters for the U.S. Market
1. Lion Paper Products – China & Cambodia
Duty‑free angle: Shipments from the Phnom Penh plant qualify under the EBA/DCTS schemes, eliminating up‑to‑30 % U.S. notebook tariffs. Now Cambodia is still zero tariff(90 days window).
Speed: Custom sample in 5-7 days; mass production in 30-35 working days.
Certifications: ISO 9001, Disney FAMA, Prop 65, CPSIA, FSC.
Capacity: 5 million+ notebooks annually across China & Cambodia lines.
Technics: Spot‑UV, foil, and die‑cut covers on Heidelberg presses.
2. Moleskine S.r.l – Italy
U.S. presence: Over 3 million units land stateside yearly, per customs data.
Brand equity: Premium hard‑cover journals command 25‑40 % higher MSRP.
North‑America revenue: Parent D’Ieteren reported cautious spending but stable Moleskine sales in 2024.
Ideal for: Premium private‑label collabs when you need an Italian provenance story.
3. Leuchtturm1917 – Germany
Direct U.S. webstore with warehouse inventory shortens replenishment to 72 hours for core SKUs.
Fresh design drops: Four new A5 colorways launched April 2024, driving repeat buys.
Certifications: FSC‑certified paper on flagship 80 gsm lines.
4. PT Sinar Dunia – Indonesia
Scale: Part of Asia Pulp & Paper; produces >80,000 notebooks/day.
Cost edge: 10–15 % lower labor cost vs. coastal China.
Focus: Commodity A‑series exercise books and wire‑bound pads—ideal for back‑to‑school programs.
5. Sundaram Multi Pap Ltd – India
Export footprint: Ships to 40+ countries; U.S. buyers feature in recent Volza logs.
Specialty: Student composition books with 56–120 pages, recycled pulp options.
Lead‑time: 35‑40 days FOB Nhava Sheva.
6. Thien Long Group – Vietnam
Revenue: Posted VND 3.46 trillion in 2023 despite soft global demand.
U.S. traction: Growing OEM notebook exports ride Vietnam’s §301‑tariff exemptions.
Strength: Hybrid stationery kits—notebooks packed with pens/highlighters.
7. East Star Printing – China
Nimble MOQs: Starts at 1,000 units; perfect for indie brands testing themed journals.
Export record: 198 ocean shipments tracked, mainly to ASEAN & the U.S.
Capability: Spot‑UV, foil, and die‑cut covers on Heidelberg presses.
8. Guangzhou Jame Printing – China
Experience: 18 years manufacturing, 10 years export; 20,000+ global clients.
USP: Hardcover art journals with lay‑flat Smyth sewing—hard to find at sub‑$1.80 FOB.
9. Grupo Azor – Mexico
Near‑shoring perks: Four‑day LTL truck to Texas DCs; no ocean freight.
Export data: 5,989 shipments logged, including U.S. deliveries.volza.com
Product mix: Composition books, spiral notebooks, plus pens—handy for bundle assortments.
10. Syloon Stationery – China
Green credentials: Full FSC‑certified supply chain and soy‑ink printing.
Lead‑time: 28 days for 10 k hardcover journals with ribbon & elastic.
Best for: Retailers pushing eco messaging without premium Italian pricing.
Key buying considerations for 2025
HS 4820 classification & duty planning. Always confirm your product’s sub‑heading to avoid surprise excise tax.
Tariff‑free corridors. Cambodia’s EBA/DCTS access and Mexico’s USMCA status remain the quickest ways to zero duty in notebooks—provided the new Origin Certification Letter is filed.
Audit transparency. Ask for video walkthroughs and AQL‑2.5 QC reports
Sustainability proof. U.S. big‑box buyers increasingly demand FSC, ISO 14001, or equivalent.
Are you looking for a reliable manufacturer? Reach out to Lion Paper for a free quote and consultation. Let’s collaborate on creating custom writing paper products that will set your brand apart from the competition.
—Leo Xia, CEO, Lion Paper Products
FAQs:
Q1: Can I really receive a custom notebook sample in 5–7 days from Lion Paper?
A: Yes. Lion Paper has in-house sample rooms in China and Cambodia, with ready stock for paper and accessories. Once your brief is confirmed, sample production starts within 24 hours, and DHL shipping gets it to U.S. clients in around 7 business days.
Q2: What if my order volume is small—under 10,000 units? Are there low MOQs available?
A: Yes. Exporters like East Star Printing and Guangzhou Jame Printing offer MOQs starting at 1,000 pcs. Lion Paper also supports flexible MOQs through mixed batch production or surcharge-based customization.
Q3: Is it still worth sourcing from mainland China after the 90-day tariff rollback expires?
A: Yes—for notebooks with complex finishing (UV, foil, sewn binding...), China still offers the best technical capability. For simple products with high volume, transferring production to Cambodia or Mexico can help avoid duties and de-risk your supply chain.
Q4: How can I be sure the notebooks won't arrive with bent corners or loose pages?
A: Ask your supplier to perform an ISTA 1A drop test and an AQL 2.5 final inspection. Lion Paper performs 6-angle drop tests from 76 cm height and documents all inspections—greatly minimizing transit-related damage.
Q5: I need branded packaging. Which factories offer full packaging services?
A: Lion Paper, Syloon Stationery, and Thien Long Group all operate in-house packaging lines that support custom stickers, belly bands, shrink wrap, and gift boxes—no need for a second-stage repacking vendor.
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