HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4005.91 – Rubber; unvulcanised, (compounded other than with carbon black or silica), in plates, sheets and strip
HS code 4005.91 is the 6-digit subheading for rubber, unvulcanised, (compounded other than with carbon black or silica), in plates, sheets and strip. It is used for colored rubber sheets, flame-retardant rubber strips, UV-resistant rubber plates, unvulcanized EPDM sheets and nitrile rubber compounds (non-CB/silica).
What HS 4005.91 covers
This HS code covers unvulcanized rubber that has been compounded with additives other than carbon black or silica, presented in plates, sheets, or strips. This category is essential for manufacturers requiring specific rubber properties like color, flame retardancy, UV resistance, or enhanced processing characteristics, without the reinforcing effects of carbon black or silica. These pre-mixed forms streamline the production process for a wide array of rubber goods. Major importers are typically manufacturers of non-tire rubber products, such as seals, gaskets, medical devices, and consumer goods, located in countries like the United States, Germany, and Mexico. Exporters are often specialized rubber compounders and chemical companies in nations with advanced material science capabilities, including Japan, Germany, and the USA. Key things to know involve the specific non-carbon black/silica additives (e.g., pigments, processing aids, anti-degradants) and the base rubber polymer, as these dictate the material's unique properties and suitability for niche applications. This code is also subject to EUDR regulations.
- Covers
- Colored rubber sheets
- Flame-retardant rubber strips
- UV-resistant rubber plates
- Unvulcanized EPDM sheets
- Nitrile rubber compounds (non-CB/silica)
- Silicone rubber compounds (non-CB/silica)
- Processing aid masterbatches
- Examples
- Parker Hannifin custom rubber compounds
- Freudenberg Sealing Technologies raw materials
- Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics rubber sheets
- Trelleborg Industrial Solutions compounds
Codes often confused with 4005.91
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 400510 if the specific compounding agents are not clearly identified as "other than carbon black or silica," or with 400599 if the form is not specifically plates, sheets, or strips.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 400591, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 400591 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% 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 Germany $191M 16% of world exports
- 2 France $176M 15% of world exports
- 3 Czechia $100M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $185M 14% of world imports
- 2 Poland $128M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 United States $103M 7.8% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 4005.91 2
Brazil splits HS 4005.91 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 4005.91.10 Chewing gum base rubber in sheets or stripPreparações base para a fabricação de gomas de mascar
- 4005.91.90 Other compounded rubber plates, sheets, stripOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 40.05 →
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 4005.91
What is HS code 400591?
HS code 400591 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rubber; unvulcanised, (compounded other than with carbon black or silica), in plates, sheets and strip. This HS code covers unvulcanized rubber that has been compounded with additives other than carbon black or silica, presented in plates, sheets, or strips. This category is essential for manufacturers requiring specific rubber properties like color, flame retardancy, UV resistance, or enhanced processing characteristics, without the reinforcing effects of carbon black or silica. These pre-mixed forms streamline the production process for a wide array of rubber goods. Major importers are typically manufacturers of non-tire rubber products, such as seals, gaskets, medical devices, and consumer goods, located in countries like the United States, Germany, and Mexico. Exporters are often specialized rubber compounders and chemical companies in nations with advanced material science capabilities, including Japan, Germany, and the USA. Key things to know involve the specific non-carbon black/silica additives (e.g., pigments, processing aids, anti-degradants) and the base rubber polymer, as these dictate the material's unique properties and suitability for niche applications. This code is also subject to EUDR regulations.
What products fall under HS code 400591?
Colored rubber sheets, Flame-retardant rubber strips, UV-resistant rubber plates, Unvulcanized EPDM sheets, Nitrile rubber compounds (non-CB/silica), Silicone rubber compounds (non-CB/silica), Processing aid masterbatches
What are common misclassifications for HS code 400591?
This code can be confused with 400510 if the specific compounding agents are not clearly identified as "other than carbon black or silica," or with 400599 if the form is not specifically plates, sheets, or strips.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 400591?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 400591 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($191M, 16% of world exports), France ($176M) and Czechia ($100M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 400591?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 400591 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($185M, 14% of world imports), Poland ($128M) and the United States ($103M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 400591 structured?
HS code 400591 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (40) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 400591?
Brazil splits HS code 400591 into 2 NCM codes: 4005.91.10 (Chewing gum base rubber in sheets or strip), 4005.91.90 (Other compounded rubber plates, sheets, strip). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.