Product classification
HS code for Candle wicks: 5908.00
Textile wicks, woven, plaited or knitted, for lamps, stoves, lighters, candles or the like, incandescent gas mantles and tubular knitted gas mantle fabric therefor, whether or not impregnated.
Classification of candle wicks under HS 5908.00
Candle wicks are classified under HS code 5908.00. This heading is specifically designated for textile wicks, woven, plaited, or knitted, for lamps, stoves, lighters, candles, or the like. It also includes incandescent gas mantles and tubular knitted gas mantle fabric. Chapter 59 covers impregnated, coated, covered, or laminated textile fabrics and textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use. The classification of a candle wick depends on its construction as a textile product. Most modern wicks are made from braided cotton fibers, which are designed to provide a consistent capillary action to draw fuel (wax) to the flame. The construction method—whether it is woven, plaited, or knitted—is a key requirement for this heading. Even if the wick is treated with chemicals (mordanting) to control the burn rate or is reinforced with a core of other materials like paper or fine metal wire, it remains classified under 5908.00 because the primary functional component is the textile structure. This code is used globally to track the trade of specialized textile components used in the lighting and heating industries. It is important to note that this code applies to the wicks as individual components; once they are incorporated into a finished candle, the entire article is classified under a different heading (3406). The precision of this classification allows customs authorities to distinguish between general-purpose cords and specialized industrial textile components.
- Covers
- Braided cotton wicks for candles
- Woven wicks for oil lamps
- Plaited wicks for cigarette lighters
- Metal-core textile wicks
- Paper-core textile wicks
- Also under 5908.00
- Atkins & Pearce Wicks
- Wedo Wicks
- CandleScience Wicks
- Coleman Gas Mantles
- Petromax Mantles
Codes often confused with 5908.00
Common mistake. Candle wicks are often misclassified under HS code 5208 or 5209, which cover woven fabrics of cotton. However, because wicks are finished articles with a specific industrial function and a particular construction (often plaited or tubular), they must be classified under 5908.00. Another common mistake is classifying them under 3406.00 (candles, tapers and the like); this code is only for the finished candle, not the individual wick component imported separately.
Top exporters and importers of HS 590800 (the code used for candle wicks), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 590800 (the code used for candle wicks) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 590800, not only candle wicks.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $17M 36% of world exports
- 2 United States $7.1M 15% of world exports
- 3 China $6.4M 13% of world exports
World total: $48M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $7.4M 15% of world imports
- 2 Germany $5.7M 11% of world imports
- 3 Poland $4.9M 9.7% of world imports
World total: $50M 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 candle wicks
Brazil classifies candle wicks under NCM 5908.00.00: HS 5908.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about candle wicks
What is the HS code for Candle wicks?
The HS code for Candle wicks is 590800 (Textile wicks, woven, plaited or knitted; for lamps, stoves, lighters, candles or the like; incandescent gas mantles and tubular knitted gas mantle fabric therefor, whether or not impregnated). The HS code for candle wicks is 5908.00, covering textile wicks for candles and lamps.
How do I classify Candle wicks for customs?
Candle wicks is classified under HS code 590800 — Textile wicks, woven, plaited or knitted; for lamps, stoves, lighters, candles or the like; incandescent gas mantles and tubular knitted gas mantle fabric therefor, whether or not impregnated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the HS code change if the wick has a wire core?
No, as long as the wick is primarily a textile structure (woven, plaited, or knitted), it remains under 5908.00 even if it contains a metal or paper core.
Which countries are the top exporters of candle wicks (HS 590800)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 590800 (the code used for candle wicks) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($17M, 36% of world exports), the United States ($7.1M) and China ($6.4M). World exports came to about $48M, 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 candle wicks (HS 590800)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 590800 (the code used for candle wicks) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.4M, 15% of world imports), Germany ($5.7M) and Poland ($4.9M). World imports came to about $50M, 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 Candle wicks the same in all countries?
The base HS code 590800 for Candle wicks 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 candle wicks in Brazil?
In Brazil, candle wicks (HS 590800) is classified under NCM 5908.00.00.