PSC 9310

Overview

The Product and Service Codes (PSC) system standardizes how the U.S. government classifies what is procured, enabling consistent reporting, analysis, and transparency across contracting data. PSC entries are recorded in FPDS and maintained through the Product and Service Code Manual issued by GSA. These codes identify “what” was bought for each contract action and guide environmental attribute reporting in FPDS. ¹

PSC 9310 covers paper and paperboard as bulk materials. Per the PSC Manual, it includes book paper stock, newsprint, paperboard, and other bulk paper materials; it excludes corrugated paper, wrapping paper, building or insulating board, stationery and construction paper, paper towels and facial tissues, blank books, containers, and shipping/identification tags. Classification should reflect the predominant product purchased. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — PSC 8135 Packaging and Packing Bulk Materials
• G2X — PSC 9390 Miscellaneous Fabricated Nonmetallic Materials

What this PSC covers

• Bulk paper stock purchased as raw material for further converting or printing. ²
• Newsprint in rolls or sheets for publication production. ²
• Paperboard used for folding cartons, set-up boxes, and other converting applications (when not corrugated). ²
• Book paper stock (e.g., text or cover stocks) in bulk form. ²
• Uncoated or coated paper materials acquired as basic inputs rather than finished stationery. ²
• Bulk paper materials not otherwise specified, excluding items expressly listed in exclusions. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
PSC	8135	Packaging and Packing Bulk Materials (includes wrapping paper, corrugated paper, shipping tags). 2
PSC	8115	Boxes, Cartons, and Crates (containers excluded from 9310 scope). 2
PSC	5640	Wallboard, Building Paper, and Thermal Insulation Materials (building/insulating board excluded from 9310). 2
PSC	7530	Stationery and Record Forms (stationery excluded from 9310). 2

Classification boundaries and common miscodes

• Corrugated paper and wrapping paper belong in PSC 8135, not PSC 9310. ²
• Building paper/board and thermal insulating boards are classified under PSC 5640. ²
• Containers such as boxes or cartons fall in PSC 8115; bulk paper for making boxes (non-corrugated) may be in PSC 9310. ²
• Stationery, record forms, and similar finished paper items are covered by PSC 7530, not PSC 9310. ²

Environmental reporting for paper buys in FPDS

When reporting awards, the PSC is entered in FPDS data element 8A, and environmental attributes (including recovered content, biobased, energy efficient, and other environmentally preferable indicators) are captured in data element 8L via predefined options. Agencies should select attributes based on the predominant product acquired. ²

Frequently asked questions

• What items are explicitly included in PSC 9310?

  • The PSC Manual lists book paper stock, newsprint, paperboard, and bulk paper materials as included. These refer to base materials typically used for converting or printing, not finished stationery or consumer paper products. ²

• Which exclusions commonly drive reclassification away from 9310?

  • Corrugated or wrapping paper, building or insulating board, stationery or construction paper, paper towels and facial tissues, blank books, containers, and shipping/ID tags are excluded and generally map to PSC 8135, PSC 5640, PSC 7530, or PSC 8115 as applicable. ²

• Is office copier paper classified under PSC 9310?

  • If treated as “stationery,” copier paper would be excluded from PSC 9310. Not specified by official sources ¹.

• How are PSC and environmental attributes recorded for paper awards?

  • Select the appropriate PSC in FPDS element 8A and choose the applicable environmental attribute in element 8L (e.g., recovered content, biobased, energy efficient, or combinations thereof), based on the predominant product acquired. ²

• Are printed books or magazines covered by PSC 9310?

  • No. Finished publications fall under Group 76 (e.g., PSC 7610 Books and Pamphlets, PSC 7630 Newspapers and Periodicals, PSC 7690 Miscellaneous Printed Matter), whereas PSC 9310 covers bulk paper inputs. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — PSC 9310 overview
• Acquisition.gov — Product and Service Code Manual (library landing page). ¹
• PSC Manual, April 2025 (current edition PDF). ²
• Acquisition.gov — PSC Manual document library (All versions). ³

References

1. Acquisition.gov. Product and Service Code Manual (library landing page). https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual
2. Acquisition.gov. PSC Manual April 2025 (PDF). https://www.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/manual/PSC%20Manual%20April%202025.pdf
3. Acquisition.gov. Product and Service Code Manual — All documents. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual/all