HS code · 2-digit chapter

HS Code 40 – Rubber and articles thereof

What HS 40 covers

Chapter 40 of the Harmonized System (HS) comprehensively covers "Rubber and articles thereof," providing a crucial classification framework for a vast array of products derived from natural, synthetic, and reclaimed rubber. This chapter spans the entire lifecycle of rubber, from its raw forms as natural latex or synthetic polymers to highly processed and finished articles essential across numerous industries. The scope extends to unvulcanized rubber, vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber), and hard rubber, including waste, parings, and scrap, as well as powders and granules obtained therefrom. Key sub-categories within this chapter include natural rubber (4001), synthetic rubber and factice derived from oils (4002), reclaimed rubber (4003), waste and scrap of rubber (4004), compounded unvulcanized rubber (4005), other forms of unvulcanized rubber (4006), vulcanized rubber threads and cords (4007), plates, sheets, strip, rods, and profile shapes of vulcanized rubber (4008), tubes, pipes, and hoses of vulcanized rubber (4009), conveyor or transmission belts or belting (4010), new pneumatic tires (4011), retreaded or used tires and solid or cushion tires (4012), inner tubes (4013), and various other articles of vulcanized rubber (4016). This classification is paramount for trade compliance as it dictates applicable duty rates, import restrictions, safety standards, and environmental regulations (e.g., for tires). Historically, rubber played a pivotal role in the industrial revolution, with its significance only growing in the automotive, construction, medical, and consumer goods sectors, making its accurate classification vital for global supply chains and economic efficiency. The chapter's major headings provide a systematic breakdown, ensuring that everything from raw latex to complex rubber components finds its correct place in international trade.

Covers
  • Natural rubber latex
  • Synthetic polyisoprene rubber
  • Reclaimed rubber crumbs
  • Unvulcanized rubber sheets
  • Pneumatic bicycle tires
  • Radial automobile tires
  • Solid industrial tires
  • Rubber conveyor belts
  • Rubber transmission belts
  • Industrial rubber hoses
  • Medical examination gloves
  • Surgical rubber gloves
  • Rubber gaskets for engines
  • Automotive rubber seals
  • Vibration dampening rubber mounts
  • Rubber O-rings
  • Rubber floor mats (non-textile backed)
  • Rubber stoppers for laboratory use
  • Rubber weatherstripping
  • Inflatable rubber boats (non-rigid hull)
  • Rubber hot water bottles
  • Rubber shoe soles (unfinished)
  • Rubber expansion joints
  • Rubber anti-vibration pads
  • Rubber dock fenders
Examples

A U.S. automotive manufacturer regularly imports new radial automobile tires (4011) from South Korea for assembly into vehicles at their North American plants, utilizing established trade routes from Busan, South Korea, to various U.S. ports like Long Beach, California. Similarly, a European medical supply distributor sources large quantities of natural rubber latex examination gloves (4015) from manufacturers in Malaysia, shipping them via container vessels from Port Klang to major European hubs such as Rotterdam, Netherlands. In another scenario, a Brazilian mining conglomerate procures heavy-duty rubber conveyor belts (4010) from China to support its iron ore extraction operations, with shipments typically originating from Shanghai and arriving at the port of Santos, Brazil. Lastly, a Japanese tire producer imports raw natural rubber sheets (4001) from plantations in Thailand to be processed into finished tires at its domestic factories, often transported from Laem Chabang, Thailand, to Yokohama, Japan.

Headings in chapter 40 17

40.01Natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle and similar gums; in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip40.02Synthetic rubber and factice derived from oils, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip; mixtures of heading no. 4001 and 4002, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip40.03Reclaimed rubber in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip40.04Waste, parings and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber) and powders and granules obtained therefrom40.05Compounded rubber, unvulcanised, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip40.06Unvulcanised rubber in other forms (e.g. rods, tubes and profile shapes) and articles (e.g. discs and rings)40.07Vulcanised rubber thread and cord40.08Plates, sheets, strip, rods and profile shapes, of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber40.09Tubes, pipes and hoses, of vulcanised rubber (other than hard rubber), with or without their fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges)40.10Conveyor or transmission belts or belting, of vulcanised rubber40.11New pneumatic tyres, of rubber40.12Retreaded or used pneumatic tyres of rubber; solid or cushion tyres, tyre treads and tyre flaps, of rubber40.13Inner tubes, of rubber40.14Hygienic or pharmaceutical articles (including teats), of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber, with or without fittings of hard rubber40.15Articles of apparel and clothing accessories (including gloves, mittens and mitts), for all purposes, of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber40.16Articles of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber, n.e.c. in chapter 4040.17Hard rubber (e.g. ebonite) in all forms, including waste and scrap; articles of hard rubber

112 Brazil NCM codes in chapter 40 →

Codes often confused with 40

Common mistake. Traders frequently misclassify products under Chapter 40 due to ambiguities concerning composite materials or specific end-use provisions. A common mistake is confusing rubber articles with plastic articles (Chapter 39), as both are polymers; however, rubber possesses distinct elastic properties. For instance, a rubber hose (4009) might be mistaken for a plastic hose (3917). Another pitfall involves articles where rubber is a component but not the primary material, or where a specific end-use chapter overrides. For example, rubber toys are classified under Chapter 95 (9503), not 4016, and rubber footwear falls under Chapter 64 (6401-6405), not 4016. Articles of textile material combined with rubber are generally classified under Section XI (e.g., Chapter 59 for rubberized textile fabrics), leading to confusion when the rubber content is significant but the textile component provides the essential character.

40.09Tubes, pipes and hoses, of vulcanised rubber (other than hard rubber), with or without their fittings (e.g. joints, elbows, flanges)39.17Tubes, pipes and hoses and fittings thereof (for example, joints, elbows, flanges), of plastics95.03Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds40.16Articles of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber, n.e.c. in chapter 4064.01Footwear; waterproof, with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics, (uppers not fixed to the sole nor assembled by stitch, rivet, nail, screw, plug or similar)64.05Footwear; other footwear n.e.c. in chapter 64

Top exporters and importers of HS code 40, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 40 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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. 1 China $36.8B
  2. 2 Thailand $20.6B
  3. 3 Germany $18.1B

World total: $233.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $36.9B
  2. 2 China $20.6B
  3. 3 Germany $18.4B

World total: $240.8B 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.

Questions about HS 40

What is HS code 40?

HS code 40 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Rubber and articles thereof. Chapter 40 of the Harmonized System (HS) comprehensively covers "Rubber and articles thereof," providing a crucial classification framework for a vast array of products derived from natural, synthetic, and reclaimed rubber. This chapter spans the entire lifecycle of rubber, from its raw forms as natural latex or synthetic polymers to highly processed and finished articles essential across numerous industries. The scope extends to unvulcanized rubber, vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber), and hard rubber, including waste, parings, and scrap, as well as powders and granules obtained therefrom. Key sub-categories within this chapter include natural rubber (4001), synthetic rubber and factice derived from oils (4002), reclaimed rubber (4003), waste and scrap of rubber (4004), compounded unvulcanized rubber (4005), other forms of unvulcanized rubber (4006), vulcanized rubber threads and cords (4007), plates, sheets, strip, rods, and profile shapes of vulcanized rubber (4008), tubes, pipes, and hoses of vulcanized rubber (4009), conveyor or transmission belts or belting (4010), new pneumatic tires (4011), retreaded or used tires and solid or cushion tires (4012), inner tubes (4013), and various other articles of vulcanized rubber (4016). This classification is paramount for trade compliance as it dictates applicable duty rates, import restrictions, safety standards, and environmental regulations (e.g., for tires). Historically, rubber played a pivotal role in the industrial revolution, with its significance only growing in the automotive, construction, medical, and consumer goods sectors, making its accurate classification vital for global supply chains and economic efficiency. The chapter's major headings provide a systematic breakdown, ensuring that everything from raw latex to complex rubber components finds its correct place in international trade.

What products fall under HS code 40?

Natural rubber latex, synthetic polyisoprene rubber, reclaimed rubber crumbs, unvulcanized rubber sheets, pneumatic bicycle tires, radial automobile tires, solid industrial tires, rubber conveyor belts, rubber transmission belts, industrial rubber hoses, medical examination gloves, surgical rubber gloves, rubber gaskets for engines, automotive rubber seals, vibration dampening rubber mounts, rubber O-rings, rubber floor mats (non-textile backed), rubber stoppers for laboratory use, rubber weatherstripping, inflatable rubber boats (non-rigid hull), rubber hot water bottles, rubber shoe soles (unfinished), rubber expansion joints, rubber anti-vibration pads, rubber dock fenders

What are common misclassifications for HS code 40?

Traders frequently misclassify products under Chapter 40 due to ambiguities concerning composite materials or specific end-use provisions. A common mistake is confusing rubber articles with plastic articles (Chapter 39), as both are polymers; however, rubber possesses distinct elastic properties. For instance, a rubber hose (4009) might be mistaken for a plastic hose (3917). Another pitfall involves articles where rubber is a component but not the primary material, or where a specific end-use chapter overrides. For example, rubber toys are classified under Chapter 95 (9503), not 4016, and rubber footwear falls under Chapter 64 (6401-6405), not 4016. Articles of textile material combined with rubber are generally classified under Section XI (e.g., Chapter 59 for rubberized textile fabrics), leading to confusion when the rubber content is significant but the textile component provides the essential character.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 40?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 40 in UN Comtrade data were China ($36.8B, 16% of world exports), Thailand ($20.6B) and Germany ($18.1B). World exports came to about $233.2B, 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 40?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 40 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($36.9B, 15% of world imports), China ($20.6B) and Germany ($18.4B). World imports came to about $240.8B, 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.

How is HS code 40 structured?

HS code 40 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.