HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4406.91 – Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, coniferous
HS code 4406.91 is the 6-digit subheading for wood, railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, coniferous. It is used for creosote-treated pine sleepers, CCA-treated spruce cross-ties, pressure-treated larch railway ties, impregnated coniferous track sleepers and treated Douglas fir sleepers.
What HS 4406.91 covers
This HS code covers railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) made from coniferous wood that have been impregnated with preservatives. Impregnation, typically with substances like creosote or other wood preservatives, significantly extends the lifespan of the sleepers, protecting them from rot, insects, and fungi, making them essential for long-term, durable railway infrastructure. The trade in these treated sleepers is substantial, driven by the global need for robust and low-maintenance railway networks. Major importers include countries investing heavily in railway expansion and maintenance, while exporters are often nations with large coniferous forests and advanced wood treatment facilities. Environmental regulations concerning the chemicals used in impregnation (e.g., creosote restrictions) and sustainable sourcing (EUDR/EUTR) are critical considerations in this trade.
- Covers
- Creosote-treated pine sleepers
- CCA-treated spruce cross-ties
- Pressure-treated larch railway ties
- Impregnated coniferous track sleepers
- Treated Douglas fir sleepers
- Examples
- Koppers (wood treatment)
- Stella-Jones (treated wood products)
- various railway infrastructure suppliers
Codes often confused with 4406.91
Common mistake. The key is 'impregnated' (vs. 440611) and 'coniferous' (vs. 440692). It's also distinct from general treated timber (e.g., 4407 if sawn, but this is specific to sleepers).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 440691, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 440691 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 60% of world imports. Russia 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 36% of its exports here ($2.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $6.5M 29% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$5.6M 25% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Netherlands $2.2M 9.6% of world exports
Russia 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 36% of its exports here ($2.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $22M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $32M 60% of world imports
- 2 Kazakhstan $5.0M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $5.0M 9.4% of world imports
World total: $53M 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 4406.91
Brazil does not split HS 4406.91: its NCM code is 4406.91.00.
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 4406.91
What is HS code 440691?
HS code 440691 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, coniferous. This HS code covers railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) made from coniferous wood that have been impregnated with preservatives. Impregnation, typically with substances like creosote or other wood preservatives, significantly extends the lifespan of the sleepers, protecting them from rot, insects, and fungi, making them essential for long-term, durable railway infrastructure. The trade in these treated sleepers is substantial, driven by the global need for robust and low-maintenance railway networks. Major importers include countries investing heavily in railway expansion and maintenance, while exporters are often nations with large coniferous forests and advanced wood treatment facilities. Environmental regulations concerning the chemicals used in impregnation (e.g., creosote restrictions) and sustainable sourcing (EUDR/EUTR) are critical considerations in this trade.
What products fall under HS code 440691?
Creosote-treated pine sleepers, CCA-treated spruce cross-ties, pressure-treated larch railway ties, impregnated coniferous track sleepers, treated Douglas fir sleepers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 440691?
The key is 'impregnated' (vs. 440611) and 'coniferous' (vs. 440692). It's also distinct from general treated timber (e.g., 4407 if sawn, but this is specific to sleepers).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 440691?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 440691 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($6.5M, 29% of world exports), Russia (about $5.6M) and the Netherlands ($2.2M). World exports came to about $22M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Russia 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 36% of its exports here ($2.0M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 440691?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 440691 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($32M, 60% of world imports), Kazakhstan ($5.0M) and Germany ($5.0M). World imports came to about $53M, 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 440691 structured?
HS code 440691 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 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 440691?
In Brazil, HS code 440691 is NCM 4406.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.