HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 4501.90 – Cork; waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork
HS code 4501.90 is the 6-digit subheading for cork, waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork. It is used for cork granules, ground cork, cork dust, cork chips and recycled cork particles.
What HS 4501.90 covers
This HS code pertains to waste cork, which includes crushed, granulated, or ground cork. These are by-products of the cork stopper manufacturing process or cork that is unsuitable for direct use as natural cork sheets or blocks. This waste material is a crucial input for the agglomerated cork industry, where it is bound together to create new products. International trade in waste cork is driven by the demand from manufacturers of agglomerated cork products, such as flooring, insulation, and gaskets. Importers are typically industrial manufacturers, while exporters are countries with significant natural cork processing facilities. The trade highlights the cork industry's commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency, transforming what would otherwise be waste into valuable materials.
- Covers
- Cork granules
- Ground cork
- Cork dust
- Cork chips
- Recycled cork particles
- Cork regranulate
- Examples
- Granulated cork for insulation
- cork infill for artificial turf
- cork powder for linoleum production
- cork waste from stopper manufacturing
Codes often confused with 4501.90
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 450110 (raw natural cork) as it's a processed waste product, and from 450410 (agglomerated cork blocks) which is a manufactured product using this waste as a raw material.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 450190, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 450190 in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 67% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 29% 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 Portugal $140M 67% of world exports
- 2 Spain $35M 17% of world exports
- 3 Morocco $7.2M 3.4% of world exports
World total: $208M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $68M 29% of world imports
- 2 Portugal $68M 28% of world imports
- 3 France $24M 10% of world imports
World total: $238M 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 4501.90
Brazil does not split HS 4501.90: its NCM code is 4501.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 45.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 4501.90
What is HS code 450190?
HS code 450190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cork; waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork. This HS code pertains to waste cork, which includes crushed, granulated, or ground cork. These are by-products of the cork stopper manufacturing process or cork that is unsuitable for direct use as natural cork sheets or blocks. This waste material is a crucial input for the agglomerated cork industry, where it is bound together to create new products. International trade in waste cork is driven by the demand from manufacturers of agglomerated cork products, such as flooring, insulation, and gaskets. Importers are typically industrial manufacturers, while exporters are countries with significant natural cork processing facilities. The trade highlights the cork industry's commitment to sustainability and resource efficiency, transforming what would otherwise be waste into valuable materials.
What products fall under HS code 450190?
Cork granules, ground cork, cork dust, cork chips, recycled cork particles, cork regranulate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 450190?
This code is distinct from 450110 (raw natural cork) as it's a processed waste product, and from 450410 (agglomerated cork blocks) which is a manufactured product using this waste as a raw material.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 450190?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 450190 in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($140M, 67% of world exports), Spain ($35M) and Morocco ($7.2M). World exports came to about $208M, 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 450190?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 450190 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($68M, 29% of world imports), Portugal ($68M) and France ($24M). World imports came to about $238M, 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 450190 structured?
HS code 450190 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (45) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) 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 450190?
In Brazil, HS code 450190 is NCM 4501.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.