HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4206.00 – Articles of gut (other than silk-worm gut), of goldbeater's skin, of bladders or of tendons
HS code 4206.00 is the 6-digit subheading for articles of gut (other than silk-worm gut), of goldbeater's skin, of bladders or of tendons. It is used for surgical sutures, tennis racket strings, sausage casings (non-food grade), musical instrument strings (gut) and goldbeater's skin membranes.
What HS 4206.00 covers
This HS code covers specialized articles made from animal by-products like gut, bladders, and tendons, excluding silk-worm gut. These materials are processed for various industrial, medical, and musical applications, rather than for food or general leather goods. International trade in these items is often niche, involving manufacturers of specialized equipment or medical devices. Importers are typically high-tech industries, medical suppliers, or musical instrument makers in developed economies, while exporters might be countries with significant livestock industries or specialized processing capabilities. Key aspects include the biological origin, specific processing methods to ensure strength and sterility, and the precise end-use applications which differentiate them from more common animal-derived products. The trade volume might not be as high as other commodity goods, but the value per unit can be substantial due to the specialized nature and processing required. Quality control for biological materials is paramount.
- Covers
- Surgical sutures
- Tennis racket strings
- Sausage casings (non-food grade)
- Musical instrument strings (gut)
- Goldbeater's skin membranes
- Medical device components
- Fishing leaders
- Archery bowstrings
- Examples
- Ethicon (sutures)
- Babolat (tennis strings)
- D'Addario (gut strings)
- Natural Gut (tennis strings)
- Goldbeater's Skin (historical use)
Codes often confused with 4206.00
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 3006.10 (sterile surgical catgut) if the articles are specifically prepared for surgical use, or with 9209.92 (musical instrument strings of gut) if they are clearly identifiable as such. The distinction lies in the level of processing and specific end-use.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 420600, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 420600 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 59% 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 Brazil $11M 42% of world exports
- 2 France $5.4M 20% of world exports
- 3 Spain $3.2M 12% of world exports
World total: $27M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $24M 59% of world imports
- 2 Italy $4.1M 10% of world imports
- 3 United States $2.6M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $40M 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 4206.00
Brazil does not split HS 4206.00: its NCM code is 4206.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 42.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 4206.00
What is HS code 420600?
HS code 420600 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Articles of gut (other than silk-worm gut), of goldbeater's skin, of bladders or of tendons. This HS code covers specialized articles made from animal by-products like gut, bladders, and tendons, excluding silk-worm gut. These materials are processed for various industrial, medical, and musical applications, rather than for food or general leather goods. International trade in these items is often niche, involving manufacturers of specialized equipment or medical devices. Importers are typically high-tech industries, medical suppliers, or musical instrument makers in developed economies, while exporters might be countries with significant livestock industries or specialized processing capabilities. Key aspects include the biological origin, specific processing methods to ensure strength and sterility, and the precise end-use applications which differentiate them from more common animal-derived products. The trade volume might not be as high as other commodity goods, but the value per unit can be substantial due to the specialized nature and processing required. Quality control for biological materials is paramount.
What products fall under HS code 420600?
Surgical sutures, tennis racket strings, sausage casings (non-food grade), musical instrument strings (gut), goldbeater's skin membranes, medical device components, fishing leaders, archery bowstrings
What are common misclassifications for HS code 420600?
This code can be confused with 3006.10 (sterile surgical catgut) if the articles are specifically prepared for surgical use, or with 9209.92 (musical instrument strings of gut) if they are clearly identifiable as such. The distinction lies in the level of processing and specific end-use.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 420600?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 420600 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($11M, 42% of world exports), France ($5.4M) and Spain ($3.2M). World exports came to about $27M, 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 420600?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 420600 in UN Comtrade data were France ($24M, 59% of world imports), Italy ($4.1M) and the United States ($2.6M). World imports came to about $40M, 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 420600 structured?
HS code 420600 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (42) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) 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 420600?
In Brazil, HS code 420600 is NCM 4206.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.