HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4014.90 – Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), hygienic or pharmaceutical articles (excluding sheath contraceptives), with or without fittings of hard rubber
HS code 4014.90 is the 6-digit subheading for rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), hygienic or pharmaceutical articles (excluding sheath contraceptives), with or without fittings of hard rubber. It is used for hot water bottles, ice bags, enema bags, rubber bulbs for medical devices and medical tubing (non-surgical).
What HS 4014.90 covers
This HS code encompasses a broad category of vulcanised rubber articles used for hygienic or pharmaceutical purposes, explicitly excluding sheath contraceptives (401410). This includes items like hot water bottles, ice bags, enema bags, certain medical tubing, and other non-surgical rubber goods. International trade is robust, driven by healthcare systems, pharmacies, and consumer markets worldwide. Importers range from hospitals and clinics to retail chains and distributors of medical supplies. Exporters are typically countries with established rubber manufacturing industries, capable of producing specialized medical-grade rubber products. Key considerations in this trade include material safety (e.g., latex allergies), sterilization requirements, durability, and compliance with national and international health regulations. The market is influenced by an aging global population, increasing healthcare expenditure, and advancements in medical technology, leading to a steady demand for reliable and safe rubber articles.
- Covers
- Hot water bottles
- Ice bags
- Enema bags
- Rubber bulbs for medical devices
- Medical tubing (non-surgical)
- Breast pump parts (rubber)
- Rubber bedpans
- Examples
- Fashy Hot Water Bottle
- B. Braun Medical Tubing
- Medline Enema Bag
- Drive Medical Ice Bag
- Philips Avent Breast Pump parts
Codes often confused with 4014.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 4015 (rubber gloves) or 9018 (medical, surgical, dental or veterinary instruments and apparatus) if the rubber article is part of a more complex device. It specifically covers standalone hygienic/pharmaceutical articles of rubber, not instruments.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 401490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 401490 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 11% 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 France $241M 35% of world exports
- 2 China $106M 16% of world exports
- 3 Denmark $41M 6.0% of world exports
World total: $679M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $71M 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $43M 6.5% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $42M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $668M 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 4014.90 2
Brazil splits HS 4014.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 4014.90.10 Rubber ice bags or hot-water bottlesBolsas para gelo ou para água quente
- 4014.90.90 Other rubber hygienic or pharmaceutical articlesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 40.14 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 4014.90
What is HS code 401490?
HS code 401490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), hygienic or pharmaceutical articles (excluding sheath contraceptives), with or without fittings of hard rubber. This HS code encompasses a broad category of vulcanised rubber articles used for hygienic or pharmaceutical purposes, explicitly excluding sheath contraceptives (401410). This includes items like hot water bottles, ice bags, enema bags, certain medical tubing, and other non-surgical rubber goods. International trade is robust, driven by healthcare systems, pharmacies, and consumer markets worldwide. Importers range from hospitals and clinics to retail chains and distributors of medical supplies. Exporters are typically countries with established rubber manufacturing industries, capable of producing specialized medical-grade rubber products. Key considerations in this trade include material safety (e.g., latex allergies), sterilization requirements, durability, and compliance with national and international health regulations. The market is influenced by an aging global population, increasing healthcare expenditure, and advancements in medical technology, leading to a steady demand for reliable and safe rubber articles.
What products fall under HS code 401490?
Hot water bottles, ice bags, enema bags, rubber bulbs for medical devices, medical tubing (non-surgical), breast pump parts (rubber), rubber bedpans
What are common misclassifications for HS code 401490?
This code is often confused with 4015 (rubber gloves) or 9018 (medical, surgical, dental or veterinary instruments and apparatus) if the rubber article is part of a more complex device. It specifically covers standalone hygienic/pharmaceutical articles of rubber, not instruments.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 401490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 401490 in UN Comtrade data were France ($241M, 35% of world exports), China ($106M) and Denmark ($41M). World exports came to about $679M, 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 401490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 401490 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($71M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($43M) and the Netherlands ($42M). World imports came to about $668M, 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 401490 structured?
HS code 401490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (40) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (14) 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 401490?
Brazil splits HS code 401490 into 2 NCM codes: 4014.90.10 (Rubber ice bags or hot-water bottles), 4014.90.90 (Other rubber hygienic or pharmaceutical articles). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.