Product classification

HS code for Birch lumber: 4407.96

Wood, of birch (Betula spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed.

Classification of birch lumber under HS 4407.96

Birch lumber is classified under Harmonized System (HS) code 440796. This code falls within Chapter 44, which pertains to "Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal." The specific description for 440796 is "Wood; of birch (Betula spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed." This detailed description highlights several key classification criteria: the specific wood species (birch, from the Betula genus), the processing methods (sawn, chipped lengthwise, sliced, or peeled), and a critical thickness threshold (exceeding 6mm). The inclusion of "whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed" indicates that various levels of finishing or joining do not alter its classification under this code, as long as the primary form and thickness criteria are met.

Covers
  • Sawn birch planks exceeding 6mm thickness
  • Chipped lengthwise birch timber exceeding 6mm thickness
  • Sliced birch boards exceeding 6mm thickness
  • Peeled birch lumber exceeding 6mm thickness
  • Planed birch lumber exceeding 6mm thickness
  • Sanded birch lumber exceeding 6mm thickness
  • Finger-jointed birch lumber exceeding 6mm thickness
Also under 4407.96
  • IKEA birch furniture
  • Artek birch stools
  • Birch plywood for cabinetry
  • Birch flooring
  • Birch turned bowls

Codes often confused with 4407.96

Common mistake. Common misclassifications for birch lumber often involve other wood types or forms. For example, HS code 440711 covers "Coniferous wood," which is distinct from birch (a non-coniferous wood). HS code 440799 is for "Other non-coniferous wood," used if the species is not specifically enumerated elsewhere, but birch has its own dedicated code. A frequent point of confusion is with HS code 4408, which covers "Veneer sheets and sheets for plywood and other similar laminated wood," typically characterized by a thickness not exceeding 6mm. Therefore, birch wood thinner than 6mm would fall under 4408, not 440796. Additionally, wood that has been continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces, such as tongue-and-groove flooring, is classified under HS code 4409, not 4407.

4407.11Wood; coniferous species, of pine (Pinus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm4407.99Wood; sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, n.e.c. in heading no. 440744.08Sheets for veneering (including those obtained by slicing laminated wood), for plywood or for similar laminated wood and other wood, sawn lengthwise, sliced or peeled, planed or not, sanded, spliced or end-jointed, of a thickness not exceeding 6 mm44.09Wood (including strips, friezes for parquet flooring, not assembled), continuously shaped (tongued, grooved, v-jointed, beaded or the like) along any edges, ends or faces, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed44.07Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm

Top exporters and importers of HS 440796 (the code used for birch lumber), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440796 (the code used for birch lumber) in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 55% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 50% 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 440796, not only birch lumber.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Russia* ~$126M
  2. 2 China $34M
  3. 3 Canada $18M

World total: $229M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $123M
  2. 2 United States $30M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$22M

World total: $249M 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 birch lumber

Brazil classifies birch lumber under NCM 4407.96.00: HS 4407.96 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 birch lumber

What is the HS code for Birch lumber?

The HS code for Birch lumber is 440796 (Wood; of birch (Betula spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed). The HS code for birch lumber, specifically wood of birch (Betula spp.) that is sawn, chipped lengthwise, sliced, or peeled, and has a thickness exceeding 6mm, is 440796.

How do I classify Birch lumber for customs?

Birch lumber is classified under HS code 440796 — Wood; of birch (Betula spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does HS code 440796 include birch veneer sheets?

No, HS code 440796 specifically covers birch wood with a thickness exceeding 6mm. Birch veneer sheets, which are typically much thinner (not exceeding 6mm), are classified under HS code 4408, which is designated for veneer sheets and similar laminated wood products.

Which countries are the top exporters of birch lumber (HS 440796)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440796 (the code used for birch lumber) in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $126M, 55% of world exports), China ($34M) and Canada ($18M). World exports came to about $229M, 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 birch lumber (HS 440796)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 440796 (the code used for birch lumber) in UN Comtrade data were China ($123M, 50% of world imports), the United States ($30M) and Vietnam (about $22M). World imports came to about $249M, 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 Birch lumber the same in all countries?

The base HS code 440796 for Birch lumber 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 birch lumber in Brazil?

In Brazil, birch lumber (HS 440796) is classified under NCM 4407.96.00.