HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4406.12 – Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, non-coniferous
HS code 4406.12 is the 6-digit subheading for wood, railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, non-coniferous. It is used for oak railway sleepers (untreated), beech cross-ties (not impregnated), tropical hardwood sleepers (untreated), non-coniferous track ties (not impregnated) and ash railway sleepers (untreated).
What HS 4406.12 covers
This category covers railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) made from non-coniferous wood that have not been impregnated. Hardwoods like oak, beech, or certain tropical species are often chosen for their natural strength and durability, making them suitable for untreated sleepers in specific railway applications. These sleepers are heavy-duty components crucial for railway infrastructure, and their trade is driven by demand from railway operators and construction companies. Importers typically include countries with a preference for hardwood sleepers or where specific environmental conditions favor their natural properties. Exporters are nations with significant hardwood forest resources and specialized timber processing industries. The trade is a niche market within the broader timber industry, with sustainability and legality (EUDR/EUTR) being increasingly important factors.
- Covers
- Oak railway sleepers (untreated)
- Beech cross-ties (not impregnated)
- Tropical hardwood sleepers (untreated)
- Non-coniferous track ties (not impregnated)
- Ash railway sleepers (untreated)
- Examples
- Railway contractors
- specialized timber merchants supplying heavy construction materials
Codes often confused with 4406.12
Common mistake. Distinguish from 440692 (impregnated non-coniferous) and 440611 (coniferous). The 'non-coniferous' and 'not impregnated' aspects are crucial for correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 440612, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 440612 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 30% 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 $28M 32% of world exports
- 2 France $18M 20% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $15M 17% of world exports
World total: $88M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $27M 30% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $13M 15% of world imports
- 3 Czechia $8.6M 9.5% of world imports
World total: $91M 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 4406.12
Brazil does not split HS 4406.12: its NCM code is 4406.12.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 44.06 →
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 4406.12
What is HS code 440612?
HS code 440612 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, non-coniferous. This category covers railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) made from non-coniferous wood that have not been impregnated. Hardwoods like oak, beech, or certain tropical species are often chosen for their natural strength and durability, making them suitable for untreated sleepers in specific railway applications. These sleepers are heavy-duty components crucial for railway infrastructure, and their trade is driven by demand from railway operators and construction companies. Importers typically include countries with a preference for hardwood sleepers or where specific environmental conditions favor their natural properties. Exporters are nations with significant hardwood forest resources and specialized timber processing industries. The trade is a niche market within the broader timber industry, with sustainability and legality (EUDR/EUTR) being increasingly important factors.
What products fall under HS code 440612?
Oak railway sleepers (untreated), beech cross-ties (not impregnated), tropical hardwood sleepers (untreated), non-coniferous track ties (not impregnated), ash railway sleepers (untreated)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 440612?
Distinguish from 440692 (impregnated non-coniferous) and 440611 (coniferous). The 'non-coniferous' and 'not impregnated' aspects are crucial for correct classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 440612?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 440612 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($28M, 32% of world exports), France ($18M) and Belgium ($15M). World exports came to about $88M, 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 440612?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 440612 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($27M, 30% of world imports), Belgium ($13M) and Czechia ($8.6M). World imports came to about $91M, 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 440612 structured?
HS code 440612 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (44) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 440612?
In Brazil, HS code 440612 is NCM 4406.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.