HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4402.90 – Wood; charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated
HS code 4402.90 is the 6-digit subheading for wood, charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated. It is used for hardwood charcoal briquettes, lump charcoal, industrial wood charcoal, BBQ wood charcoal and activated carbon raw material.
What HS 4402.90 covers
This HS code covers charcoal made from wood other than bamboo, nuts, or shells, whether or not agglomerated. This is the broadest category for wood charcoal, encompassing traditional charcoal produced from various hardwood and softwood species. It's a staple in international trade, primarily used as a fuel for grilling, industrial heating, and metallurgical processes. Its clean-burning properties and high energy density make it a preferred choice over raw wood in many applications. Additionally, it serves as a precursor for activated carbon and as a soil amendment. Exporters range from countries with abundant forest resources and charcoal production capabilities, such as Brazil, Nigeria, and Ukraine, to smaller artisanal producers. Importers include barbecue product distributors, industrial foundries, and agricultural suppliers globally. Key trade factors include wood species, carbonization method, and compliance with environmental regulations like the EUDR, which mandates due diligence on timber legality and sustainability to prevent deforestation.
- Covers
- Hardwood charcoal briquettes
- Lump charcoal
- Industrial wood charcoal
- BBQ wood charcoal
- Activated carbon raw material
- Biochar
- Restaurant-grade charcoal
- Examples
- Kingsford Original Charcoal
- Weber Briquettes
- Royal Oak Lump Charcoal
- Fogo Premium Hardwood Charcoal
- Big Green Egg Charcoal
Codes often confused with 4402.90
Common mistake. This code covers all 'other' wood charcoal, so it's crucial to distinguish it from 440210 (bamboo charcoal) and 440220 (nut or shell charcoal) based on the specific source material. Misclassification can occur if the wood type is not clearly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 440290, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 440290 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 7.9% 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 Indonesia $147M 14% of world exports
- 2 Ukraine* ~$84M 7.9% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$75M 7.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $110M 7.9% of world imports
- 2 United States $105M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $92M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 4402.90
Brazil does not split HS 4402.90: its NCM code is 4402.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 44.02 →
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 4402.90
What is HS code 440290?
HS code 440290 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wood; charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated. This HS code covers charcoal made from wood other than bamboo, nuts, or shells, whether or not agglomerated. This is the broadest category for wood charcoal, encompassing traditional charcoal produced from various hardwood and softwood species. It's a staple in international trade, primarily used as a fuel for grilling, industrial heating, and metallurgical processes. Its clean-burning properties and high energy density make it a preferred choice over raw wood in many applications. Additionally, it serves as a precursor for activated carbon and as a soil amendment. Exporters range from countries with abundant forest resources and charcoal production capabilities, such as Brazil, Nigeria, and Ukraine, to smaller artisanal producers. Importers include barbecue product distributors, industrial foundries, and agricultural suppliers globally. Key trade factors include wood species, carbonization method, and compliance with environmental regulations like the EUDR, which mandates due diligence on timber legality and sustainability to prevent deforestation.
What products fall under HS code 440290?
Hardwood charcoal briquettes, Lump charcoal, Industrial wood charcoal, BBQ wood charcoal, Activated carbon raw material, Biochar, Restaurant-grade charcoal
What are common misclassifications for HS code 440290?
This code covers all 'other' wood charcoal, so it's crucial to distinguish it from 440210 (bamboo charcoal) and 440220 (nut or shell charcoal) based on the specific source material. Misclassification can occur if the wood type is not clearly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 440290?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 440290 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($147M, 14% of world exports), Ukraine (about $84M) and Vietnam (about $75M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 440290?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 440290 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($110M, 7.9% of world imports), the United States ($105M) and South Korea ($92M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 440290 structured?
HS code 440290 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (44) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) 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 440290?
In Brazil, HS code 440290 is NCM 4402.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.