HS Code 57.04 – Carpets and other textile floor coverings; of felt, (not tufted or flocked), whether or not made up

HS code 5704 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carpets and other textile floor coverings; of felt, (not tufted or flocked), whether or not made up. HS Code 5704 covers "Carpets and other textile floor coverings; of felt, (not tufted or flocked), whether or not made up." This specialized heading is dedicated to floor coverings manufactured from felt, a non-woven fabric produced by matting, condensing, and pressing fibers (typically wool or synthetic) together. It explicitly excludes tufted or flocked floor coverings, reinforcing the importance of the manufacturing method for classification within Chapter 57. The phrase "whether or not made up" indicates that the classification applies to both rolls of felt flooring material and finished felt rugs, mats, or underlays. Felt carpets are known for their sound-absorbing, insulating, and often durable properties, finding applications in both decorative and industrial settings. For trade compliance, correctly identifying felt as the primary material and manufacturing process is crucial to avoid misclassification into other carpet categories or general felt headings (e.g., Chapter 56). This heading provides a specific home for a distinct type of textile floor covering, ensuring accurate tariff application and statistical tracking within the broader context of Chapter 57.

Needle-punched felt carpets, pressed felt floor mats, felt carpet underlays, industrial felt floor coverings, decorative felt rugs, sound-insulating felt floor mats, felt carpet tiles (non-tufted), felt stair treads, felt door mats (non-woven/non-tufted), furniture protection felt pads (large, floor covering type), recycled felt floor coverings, wool felt rugs, synthetic felt floor mats, automotive felt floor mats, felt acoustic panels (if designed as floor covering), felt-backed laminate flooring (where felt is primary floor material), anti-slip felt mats, felt area rugs, custom-cut felt flooring, felt exhibition carpeting.

The most common misclassification for 5704 involves confusing felt carpets with other textile floor covering types, such as woven (5702) or tufted (5703) carpets. The key differentiator is the felt manufacturing process, which involves matting fibers, not weaving or tufting. Another frequent error is classifying felt floor coverings under 5602 (felt, whether or not impregnated) if they are in the piece. However, 5704 specifically covers felt *floor coverings*, implying they are identifiable as such, whether made up or in rolls intended for flooring. The distinction is the end-use and form as a floor covering, not just raw felt material.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 5704 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($148M, 23% of world exports), Belgium ($134M) and Germany ($49M). World exports came to about $648M, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 5704 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($114M, 18% of world imports), the United States ($78M) and the United Kingdom ($56M). World imports came to about $654M, 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.

HS code 5704 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 57 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (57) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.