HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 40.08 – Plates, sheets, strip, rods and profile shapes, of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber
What HS 40.08 covers
Heading 4008 covers plates, sheets, strip, rods, and profile shapes made of vulcanised rubber, specifically excluding hard rubber. This classification is vital for international trade as it deals with semi-finished materials that possess the enhanced properties of vulcanised rubber—such as improved elasticity, strength, and resistance to environmental factors—making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. These forms serve as foundational inputs for manufacturing numerous finished products, including gaskets, seals, anti-vibration mounts, flooring, protective linings, and various automotive and construction components. The phrase 'other than hard rubber' is a critical boundary, distinguishing these flexible or semi-rigid forms from the rigid articles covered under 4017. This heading's scope is broad, encompassing various types of synthetic and natural vulcanised rubbers, each offering specific performance characteristics. For trade compliance, correctly identifying the material as vulcanised and ensuring it's not hard rubber is essential to apply the correct tariffs and avoid misclassification. This heading plays a significant role in global supply chains, providing versatile and durable materials for diverse manufacturing sectors. It is a key part of Chapter 40, which comprehensively details rubber products, from raw materials to finished goods, underscoring the importance of these intermediate forms in industrial production.
- Covers
- Vulcanised rubber sheets for gaskets
- EPDM rubber strips for weatherstripping
- Neoprene rubber plates for anti-vibration mounts
- Silicone rubber rods for medical applications
- NBR rubber profile shapes for seals
- Natural rubber sheets for industrial flooring
- SBR rubber strips for conveyor skirtings
- Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance
- Butyl rubber plates for sound dampening
- Vulcanised rubber profiles for window seals
- Rubber matting (rolls)
- Impact-resistant rubber plates
- Rubber extrusion profiles
- Dielectric rubber sheets
- Anti-slip rubber strips
- Cellular rubber sheets
- Solid rubber rods
- Corrugated rubber sheets
- Rubber expansion joint strips
- Cut-to-size rubber plates
- Rubber shims
- Fender strips
- Rubber bumper stock
- Rubber insulation sheets
- Rubber sealing strips
- Examples
A US automotive supplier imports large rolls of EPDM vulcanised rubber sheets from Taiwan to cut into custom gaskets and seals for vehicle production, typically transported by ocean container. A German construction firm exports NBR vulcanised rubber profile shapes to the UK for use as expansion joints and window seals in commercial buildings, often by truck or short-sea shipping routes. A Japanese machinery manufacturer imports silicone rubber rods from China to machine into precision parts for industrial equipment, often utilizing air cargo for specialized and time-sensitive components. An Indian company imports thick natural rubber plates from Malaysia for manufacturing anti-vibration pads for heavy machinery, relying on regular ocean shipments.
Subheadings under 40.08 4
Codes often confused with 40.08
Common mistake. Common misclassifications for 4008 include confusing it with unvulcanised rubber in similar forms (4005, 4006) or with finished articles of vulcanised rubber (4016). The crucial distinction is the 'vulcanised' state, which differentiates it from 4005 (compounded unvulcanised sheets/strips) and 4006 (unvulcanised other forms). Furthermore, products classified under 4008 are semi-finished materials for further processing, not finished articles ready for end-use, which would typically fall under 4016. Traders must also carefully distinguish from hard rubber articles (4017). Incorrectly classifying these materials can lead to significant discrepancies in duty rates, potential fines, and delays in customs clearance, particularly where specific material properties are subject to regulatory scrutiny.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 4008, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 4008 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 10% 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 $1.0B 20% of world exports
- 2 China $536M 10% of world exports
- 3 United States $397M 7.6% of world exports
World total: $5.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $453M 10% of world imports
- 2 Germany $388M 8.6% of world imports
- 3 France $235M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $4.5B 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.
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 40.08
What is HS code 4008?
HS code 4008 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Plates, sheets, strip, rods and profile shapes, of vulcanised rubber other than hard rubber. Heading 4008 covers plates, sheets, strip, rods, and profile shapes made of vulcanised rubber, specifically excluding hard rubber. This classification is vital for international trade as it deals with semi-finished materials that possess the enhanced properties of vulcanised rubber—such as improved elasticity, strength, and resistance to environmental factors—making them suitable for a wide range of industrial applications. These forms serve as foundational inputs for manufacturing numerous finished products, including gaskets, seals, anti-vibration mounts, flooring, protective linings, and various automotive and construction components. The phrase 'other than hard rubber' is a critical boundary, distinguishing these flexible or semi-rigid forms from the rigid articles covered under 4017. This heading's scope is broad, encompassing various types of synthetic and natural vulcanised rubbers, each offering specific performance characteristics. For trade compliance, correctly identifying the material as vulcanised and ensuring it's not hard rubber is essential to apply the correct tariffs and avoid misclassification. This heading plays a significant role in global supply chains, providing versatile and durable materials for diverse manufacturing sectors. It is a key part of Chapter 40, which comprehensively details rubber products, from raw materials to finished goods, underscoring the importance of these intermediate forms in industrial production.
What products fall under HS code 4008?
Vulcanised rubber sheets for gaskets, EPDM rubber strips for weatherstripping, Neoprene rubber plates for anti-vibration mounts, silicone rubber rods for medical applications, NBR rubber profile shapes for seals, natural rubber sheets for industrial flooring, SBR rubber strips for conveyor skirtings, Viton rubber sheets for chemical resistance, butyl rubber plates for sound dampening, vulcanised rubber profiles for window seals, rubber matting (rolls), impact-resistant rubber plates, rubber extrusion profiles, dielectric rubber sheets, anti-slip rubber strips, cellular rubber sheets, solid rubber rods, corrugated rubber sheets, rubber expansion joint strips, cut-to-size rubber plates, rubber shims, fender strips, rubber bumper stock, rubber insulation sheets, rubber sealing strips
What are common misclassifications for HS code 4008?
Common misclassifications for 4008 include confusing it with unvulcanised rubber in similar forms (4005, 4006) or with finished articles of vulcanised rubber (4016). The crucial distinction is the 'vulcanised' state, which differentiates it from 4005 (compounded unvulcanised sheets/strips) and 4006 (unvulcanised other forms). Furthermore, products classified under 4008 are semi-finished materials for further processing, not finished articles ready for end-use, which would typically fall under 4016. Traders must also carefully distinguish from hard rubber articles (4017). Incorrectly classifying these materials can lead to significant discrepancies in duty rates, potential fines, and delays in customs clearance, particularly where specific material properties are subject to regulatory scrutiny.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 4008?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 4008 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.0B, 20% of world exports), China ($536M) and the United States ($397M). World exports came to about $5.2B, 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 4008?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 4008 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($453M, 10% of world imports), Germany ($388M) and France ($235M). World imports came to about $4.5B, 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 4008 structured?
HS code 4008 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 40 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (40) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (08) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.