HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4001.21 – Rubber; natural (excluding latex), in smoked sheets
HS code 4001.21 is the 6-digit subheading for rubber, natural (excluding latex), in smoked sheets. It is used for ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS1), ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS3), ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS4), ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS5) and natural rubber smoked sheets in bales.
What HS 4001.21 covers
This HS code specifically covers natural rubber in the form of smoked sheets, which are produced by coagulating latex, pressing it into sheets, and then drying and smoking them. This process gives the rubber its characteristic brown color and improves its preservation. Smoked sheets are a crucial raw material for industries manufacturing tires, conveyor belts, and other heavy-duty rubber products. International trade is driven by demand from automotive and industrial sectors, with major importers being countries with large manufacturing bases. Exporters are predominantly tropical nations where rubber trees are cultivated and processed. Key aspects include the grade of the smoked sheet (e.g., RSS1, RSS3), its elasticity, and purity. The EUDR tag highlights the increasing importance of sustainable sourcing and deforestation-free supply chains for this commodity.
- Covers
- Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS1)
- Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS3)
- Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS4)
- Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS5)
- Natural rubber smoked sheets in bales
- Natural rubber smoked sheets in crates
- Examples
- RSS3 natural rubber (e.g., from Sri Trang)
- RSS1 natural rubber (e.g., from Halcyon Agri)
- Smoked sheet rubber from Michelin's suppliers
- Goodyear's raw material smoked sheets
- Bridgestone's natural rubber sheets
Codes often confused with 4001.21
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 400110 (natural rubber latex) due to its solid, sheet form, and from 400122 (technically specified natural rubber) which undergoes more rigorous processing and grading. The "smoked" characteristic is key.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 400121, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 400121 in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% 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 Thailand $1.0B 63% of world exports
- 2 Myanmar $282M 17% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$123M 7.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $710M 38% of world imports
- 2 United States $308M 16% of world imports
- 3 Japan $250M 13% 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 code for 4001.21
Brazil does not split HS 4001.21: its NCM code is 4001.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 40.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 4001.21
What is HS code 400121?
HS code 400121 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rubber; natural (excluding latex), in smoked sheets. This HS code specifically covers natural rubber in the form of smoked sheets, which are produced by coagulating latex, pressing it into sheets, and then drying and smoking them. This process gives the rubber its characteristic brown color and improves its preservation. Smoked sheets are a crucial raw material for industries manufacturing tires, conveyor belts, and other heavy-duty rubber products. International trade is driven by demand from automotive and industrial sectors, with major importers being countries with large manufacturing bases. Exporters are predominantly tropical nations where rubber trees are cultivated and processed. Key aspects include the grade of the smoked sheet (e.g., RSS1, RSS3), its elasticity, and purity. The EUDR tag highlights the increasing importance of sustainable sourcing and deforestation-free supply chains for this commodity.
What products fall under HS code 400121?
Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS1), Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS3), Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS4), Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS5), natural rubber smoked sheets in bales, natural rubber smoked sheets in crates
What are common misclassifications for HS code 400121?
This code is distinct from 400110 (natural rubber latex) due to its solid, sheet form, and from 400122 (technically specified natural rubber) which undergoes more rigorous processing and grading. The "smoked" characteristic is key.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 400121?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 400121 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($1.0B, 63% of world exports), Myanmar ($282M) and Vietnam (about $123M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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 400121?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 400121 in UN Comtrade data were China ($710M, 38% of world imports), the United States ($308M) and Japan ($250M). 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 400121 structured?
HS code 400121 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (40) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 400121?
In Brazil, HS code 400121 is NCM 4001.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.