HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1404.90 – Vegetable products; n.e.c. in chapter 14
HS code 1404.90 is the 6-digit subheading for vegetable products, n.e.c. in chapter 14. It is used for coir fiber (raw), kapok, vegetable materials for brushes, natural dyeing materials (e.g., madder root, indigo leaves) and loofah sponges (raw).
What HS 1404.90 covers
This broad 'basket' HS code covers all other vegetable products not specified elsewhere in Chapter 14, which primarily deals with raw vegetable materials used for plaiting, stuffing, brushing, or dyeing. This can include a wide array of natural materials like certain seeds, nuts, husks, or other plant parts that have specific industrial or craft uses but don't fit into more specific categories. Examples might include certain types of vegetable fibers for stuffing, natural dyes, or specific plant materials used in traditional medicine or rituals, provided they are in a raw or minimally processed state. Importers and exporters are highly diverse, depending on the specific product, ranging from niche craft suppliers to industrial users. Key trade aspects involve the unique properties of the material, its intended application, and compliance with phytosanitary regulations and CITES if applicable.
- Covers
- Coir fiber (raw)
- Kapok
- Vegetable materials for brushes
- Natural dyeing materials (e.g., madder root, indigo leaves)
- Loofah sponges (raw)
- Broomcorn
- Certain decorative seeds
- Vegetable stuffing materials
- Examples
- Coir doormat material
- kapok pillow stuffing
- natural bristle brush fibers
- indigo dye powder (raw material)
- loofah gourds
- broomcorn stalks
- dried decorative pods
Codes often confused with 1404.90
Common mistake. This is a very broad category, so careful distinction is needed from other specific vegetable materials in Chapter 14 (e.g., 1401 for plaiting, 1404.20 for cotton linters) or other chapters (e.g., Chapter 12 for oil seeds, Chapter 6 for live plants).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 140490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 140490 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 32% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $633M 36% of world exports
- 2 China $252M 14% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $185M 10% of world exports
World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $594M 32% of world imports
- 2 United States $203M 11% of world imports
- 3 China $197M 11% of world imports
World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM codes for 1404.90 2
Brazil splits HS 1404.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 1404.90.10 Vegetable materials for brooms and brushesMatérias vegetais das espécies principalmente utilizadas na fabricação de vassouras, escovas, pincéis e artigos semelhantes (por exemplo, sorgo, piaçaba, raiz de grama (relva), tampico), mesmo em torcidas ou em feixes
- 1404.90.90 Other vegetable products not elsewhere specifiedOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 14.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1404.90
What is HS code 140490?
HS code 140490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vegetable products; n.e.c. in chapter 14. This broad 'basket' HS code covers all other vegetable products not specified elsewhere in Chapter 14, which primarily deals with raw vegetable materials used for plaiting, stuffing, brushing, or dyeing. This can include a wide array of natural materials like certain seeds, nuts, husks, or other plant parts that have specific industrial or craft uses but don't fit into more specific categories. Examples might include certain types of vegetable fibers for stuffing, natural dyes, or specific plant materials used in traditional medicine or rituals, provided they are in a raw or minimally processed state. Importers and exporters are highly diverse, depending on the specific product, ranging from niche craft suppliers to industrial users. Key trade aspects involve the unique properties of the material, its intended application, and compliance with phytosanitary regulations and CITES if applicable.
What products fall under HS code 140490?
Coir fiber (raw), kapok, vegetable materials for brushes, natural dyeing materials (e.g., madder root, indigo leaves), loofah sponges (raw), broomcorn, certain decorative seeds, vegetable stuffing materials
What are common misclassifications for HS code 140490?
This is a very broad category, so careful distinction is needed from other specific vegetable materials in Chapter 14 (e.g., 1401 for plaiting, 1404.20 for cotton linters) or other chapters (e.g., Chapter 12 for oil seeds, Chapter 6 for live plants).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 140490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 140490 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($633M, 36% of world exports), China ($252M) and Malaysia ($185M). World exports came to about $1.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 140490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 140490 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($594M, 32% of world imports), the United States ($203M) and China ($197M). World imports came to about $1.9B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 140490 structured?
HS code 140490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (14) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 140490?
Brazil splits HS code 140490 into 2 NCM codes: 1404.90.10 (Vegetable materials for brooms and brushes), 1404.90.90 (Other vegetable products not elsewhere specified). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.