Product classification
HS code for Balsa wood: 4407.22
Wood, tropical, virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, thicker than 6mm.
Classification of balsa wood under HS 4407.22
Balsa wood, scientifically known as Ochroma pyramidale, is a tropical hardwood distinguished by its exceptionally low density and high strength-to-weight ratio. HS code 440722 specifically classifies balsa wood that has undergone initial processing, such as being sawn, chipped lengthwise, sliced, or peeled. A critical criterion for this classification is that the wood must be thicker than 6mm. This subheading is part of a broader category for tropical woods, ensuring that balsa in a semi-processed state, ready for further manufacturing or construction, is appropriately identified for international trade and customs purposes. The processing specified differentiates it from raw timber, while the thickness criterion separates it from thinner veneers.
- Covers
- Sawn balsa lumber
- Balsa planks and boards exceeding 6mm in thickness
- Balsa sheets thicker than 6mm, whether planed or sanded
- Finger-jointed balsa wood components over 6mm thick
- Chipped balsa wood intended for structural or manufacturing applications
- Also under 4407.22
- Balsa USA model aircraft wood
- CoreLite balsa core materials
- Brazilian Imbuia furniture
- Virola plywood
Codes often confused with 4407.22
Common mistake. Balsa wood can be subject to misclassification if its processing stage or dimensions are not accurately considered. Raw balsa logs, prior to any sawing or chipping, would typically fall under HS 4403, which covers "Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark, or sapwood, or roughly squared." This is distinct from 440722, which requires the wood to be sawn, chipped, sliced, or peeled. Another common point of confusion arises with thinner balsa products. Balsa veneers or sheets with a thickness of 6mm or less are classified under HS 4408, specifically "Veneer sheets and sheets for plywood and other similar laminated wood, of wood, not exceeding 6 mm thickness." Therefore, precise measurement of thickness is crucial to differentiate between HS 440722 and HS 4408.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440722 (the code used for balsa wood), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440722 (the code used for balsa wood) in UN Comtrade data was Ecuador, with 61% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 42% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 440722, not only balsa wood.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Ecuador $183M 61% of world exports
- 2 Papua New Guinea* ~$79M 26% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Poland $27M 9.1% of world exports
World total: $302M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $89M 42% of world imports
- 2 India $39M 19% of world imports
- 3 Denmark $27M 13% of world imports
World total: $210M 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 balsa wood
Brazil classifies balsa wood under NCM 4407.22.00: HS 4407.22 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
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 balsa wood
What is the HS code for Balsa wood?
The HS code for Balsa wood is 440722 (Wood, tropical; virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, thicker than 6mm). The HS code for balsa wood that has been sawn, chipped lengthwise, sliced, or peeled, and is thicker than 6mm, is 440722.
How do I classify Balsa wood for customs?
Balsa wood is classified under HS code 440722 — Wood, tropical; virola, imbuia and balsa, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, thicker than 6mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What distinguishes HS 440722 from other wood classifications?
HS 440722 is distinguished by two primary factors: it applies to tropical woods, including balsa, that have undergone specific initial processing (sawn, chipped, sliced, or peeled), and crucially, the material must have a thickness exceeding 6mm. This differentiates it from unprocessed wood (HS 4403) and thinner veneers (HS 4408).
Which countries are the top exporters of balsa wood (HS 440722)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440722 (the code used for balsa wood) in UN Comtrade data were Ecuador ($183M, 61% of world exports), Papua New Guinea (about $79M) and Poland ($27M). World exports came to about $302M, 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 balsa wood (HS 440722)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440722 (the code used for balsa wood) in UN Comtrade data were China ($89M, 42% of world imports), India ($39M) and Denmark ($27M). World imports came to about $210M, 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.
Is the HS code for Balsa wood the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440722 for Balsa wood is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for balsa wood in Brazil?
In Brazil, balsa wood (HS 440722) is classified under NCM 4407.22.00.