HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4401.31 – Wood; for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in wood pellets
HS code 4401.31 is the 6-digit subheading for wood, for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in wood pellets. It is used for residential heating pellets, industrial biomass pellets, premium wood pellets, ENplus A1 certified pellets and softwood pellets.
What HS 4401.31 covers
This category specifically covers wood pellets, a highly refined and densified form of fuel made from compressed sawdust, wood waste, and scrap. Wood pellets are a cornerstone of the modern biomass energy sector, offering high energy density, low moisture content, and ease of automated handling, making them ideal for residential stoves, industrial boilers, and large-scale power plants. International trade is robust, driven by demand for renewable energy and often involves large-scale logistics and long-term contracts. Strict quality control, sustainability certifications (e.g., ENplus), and compliance with regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) are critical for market acceptance and environmental credibility.
- Covers
- Residential heating pellets
- Industrial biomass pellets
- Premium wood pellets
- ENplus A1 certified pellets
- Softwood pellets
- Hardwood pellets
- Agricultural residue pellets
- Examples
- Enviva wood pellets
- Lignetics wood pellets
- ÖkoFEN pellets
- specific brands of certified biomass fuel pellets
- Home Depot wood pellets
Codes often confused with 4401.31
Common mistake. Can be confused with 440132 (wood briquettes) due to similar raw materials, but pellets are distinct in their smaller, cylindrical size and shape.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 440131, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 440131 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 31% 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 United States $1.9B 28% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$1.4B 20% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Canada $548M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $6.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Kingdom $2.3B 31% of world imports
- 2 Japan $1.7B 23% of world imports
- 3 Denmark $594M 8.1% of world imports
World total: $7.3B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 4401.31
Brazil does not split HS 4401.31: its NCM code is 4401.31.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 44.01 →
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.
This product is covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), requiring operators to exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.
Questions about HS 4401.31
What is HS code 440131?
HS code 440131 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wood; for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, agglomerated in wood pellets. This category specifically covers wood pellets, a highly refined and densified form of fuel made from compressed sawdust, wood waste, and scrap. Wood pellets are a cornerstone of the modern biomass energy sector, offering high energy density, low moisture content, and ease of automated handling, making them ideal for residential stoves, industrial boilers, and large-scale power plants. International trade is robust, driven by demand for renewable energy and often involves large-scale logistics and long-term contracts. Strict quality control, sustainability certifications (e.g., ENplus), and compliance with regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) are critical for market acceptance and environmental credibility.
What products fall under HS code 440131?
Residential heating pellets, industrial biomass pellets, premium wood pellets, ENplus A1 certified pellets, softwood pellets, hardwood pellets, agricultural residue pellets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 440131?
Can be confused with 440132 (wood briquettes) due to similar raw materials, but pellets are distinct in their smaller, cylindrical size and shape.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 440131?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 440131 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 28% of world exports), Vietnam (about $1.4B) and Canada ($548M). World exports came to about $6.8B, 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 440131?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 440131 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($2.3B, 31% of world imports), Japan ($1.7B) and Denmark ($594M). World imports came to about $7.3B, 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 440131 structured?
HS code 440131 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (44) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 440131?
In Brazil, HS code 440131 is NCM 4401.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.