HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4017.00 – Rubber; ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber
HS code 4017.00 is the 6-digit subheading for rubber, ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber. It is used for ebonite rods, ebonite sheets, hard rubber pipes, hard rubber battery cases and ebonite electrical insulators.
What HS 4017.00 covers
This HS code specifically covers ebonite and other forms of hard rubber in all forms, including raw materials, waste, scrap, and finished articles. Ebonite, also known as hard rubber, is characterized by its rigidity, excellent electrical insulation properties, and chemical resistance, making it valuable in specialized industrial applications where these attributes are crucial. International trade involves manufacturers of electrical components, chemical processing equipment, and even musical instruments sourcing hard rubber materials or finished parts. Importers are typically industrial manufacturers, while exporters are often specialized chemical or rubber processing plants. Key aspects include the material's unique properties compared to soft rubber, its specific processing requirements, and its niche applications where durability and specific resistance are paramount, such as in battery casings or electrical insulators.
- Covers
- Ebonite rods
- Ebonite sheets
- Hard rubber pipes
- Hard rubber battery cases
- Ebonite electrical insulators
- Hard rubber combs
- Ebonite saxophone mouthpieces
- Examples
- Vulcanite (a brand of ebonite)
- hard rubber battery casings (e.g., for industrial batteries)
- saxophone mouthpieces (e.g., Otto Link, Meyer)
- electrical switch components
Codes often confused with 4017.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from other rubber categories (e.g., 4016 for vulcanized non-hard rubber) due to the 'hard rubber' specification, and misclassification can occur if the specific hardness and composition are not correctly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 401700, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 401700 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 17% of world imports. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 9.7% of its exports here ($2.9M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $61M 28% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $29M 13% of world exports
- 3 Canada $12M 5.4% of world exports
Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 9.7% of its exports here ($2.9M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $216M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $37M 17% of world imports
- 2 United States $25M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $16M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $223M 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 code for 4017.00
Brazil does not split HS 4017.00: its NCM code is 4017.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 40.17 →
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 4017.00
What is HS code 401700?
HS code 401700 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rubber; ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber. This HS code specifically covers ebonite and other forms of hard rubber in all forms, including raw materials, waste, scrap, and finished articles. Ebonite, also known as hard rubber, is characterized by its rigidity, excellent electrical insulation properties, and chemical resistance, making it valuable in specialized industrial applications where these attributes are crucial. International trade involves manufacturers of electrical components, chemical processing equipment, and even musical instruments sourcing hard rubber materials or finished parts. Importers are typically industrial manufacturers, while exporters are often specialized chemical or rubber processing plants. Key aspects include the material's unique properties compared to soft rubber, its specific processing requirements, and its niche applications where durability and specific resistance are paramount, such as in battery casings or electrical insulators.
What products fall under HS code 401700?
Ebonite rods, Ebonite sheets, Hard rubber pipes, Hard rubber battery cases, Ebonite electrical insulators, Hard rubber combs, Ebonite saxophone mouthpieces
What are common misclassifications for HS code 401700?
This code is distinct from other rubber categories (e.g., 4016 for vulcanized non-hard rubber) due to the 'hard rubber' specification, and misclassification can occur if the specific hardness and composition are not correctly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 401700?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 401700 in UN Comtrade data were China ($61M, 28% of world exports), Thailand ($29M) and Canada ($12M). World exports came to about $216M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 9.7% of its exports here ($2.9M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 401700?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 401700 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($37M, 17% of world imports), the United States ($25M) and Japan ($16M). World imports came to about $223M, 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 401700 structured?
HS code 401700 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (40) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (17) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 401700?
In Brazil, HS code 401700 is NCM 4017.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.