Product classification
HS code for Ebonite: 4017.00
Rubber, ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber.
Classification of ebonite under HS 4017.00
Ebonite, also known as hard rubber, is classified under HS code 4017.00. This code encompasses hard rubber in all its forms, including bulk shapes like blocks, plates, sheets, rods, and tubes, as well as finished articles made of hard rubber and scrap material. Ebonite is distinguished from standard vulcanized rubber by its high sulfur content, typically ranging from 25% to 50%, which renders it rigid, brittle, and highly resistant to chemical corrosion and electrical conductivity. The classification applies regardless of whether the material is in its primary form or has been manufactured into a specific product, provided the material remains hard rubber. Because ebonite has unique physical properties compared to soft vulcanized rubber, the Harmonized System provides this dedicated heading to separate it from the more flexible rubber products found in headings 4001 through 4016.
- Covers
- Ebonite blocks and plates
- Hard rubber rods and tubes
- Ebonite waste and scrap
- Hard rubber battery cases
- Ebonite handles for tools
- Hard rubber combs and hair-slides
- Also under 4017.00
- Vulcanite (a brand of ebonite)
- hard rubber battery casings (e.g., for industrial batteries)
- saxophone mouthpieces (e.g., Otto Link, Meyer)
- electrical switch components
Codes often confused with 4017.00
Common mistake. Ebonite is often misclassified under heading 3926, which covers articles of plastics, due to its rigid nature. However, because it is a vulcanized rubber product, it must remain in Chapter 40. It is also sometimes confused with standard vulcanized rubber under 4016; the distinction is the hardness and sulfur content. If the rubber is flexible, it cannot be classified under 4017.00. Additionally, synthetic rubber in its primary form is classified under 4002.
Top exporters and importers of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 17% of world imports. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 9.7% of its exports here ($2.9M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 401700, not only ebonite.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $61M 28% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $29M 13% of world exports
- 3 Canada $12M 5.4% of world exports
Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 9.7% of its exports here ($2.9M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $216M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $37M 17% of world imports
- 2 United States $25M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $16M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $223M 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 ebonite
Brazil classifies ebonite under NCM 4017.00.00: HS 4017.00 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.
Questions about ebonite
What is the HS code for Ebonite?
The HS code for Ebonite is 401700 (Rubber; ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber). The HS code for ebonite (hard rubber) in all forms, including articles and scrap, is 4017.00. This is a comprehensive code for the material and its finished products.
How do I classify Ebonite for customs?
Ebonite is classified under HS code 401700 — Rubber; ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is hard rubber classified the same as plastic?
No, hard rubber is classified under Chapter 40 (Rubber), specifically 4017.00, while plastics are classified under Chapter 39. The chemical composition, specifically the vulcanization with high sulfur content, dictates its classification as rubber.
Which countries are the top exporters of ebonite (HS 401700)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite) in UN Comtrade data were China ($61M, 28% of world exports), Thailand ($29M) and Canada ($12M). World exports came to about $216M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 9.7% of its exports here ($2.9M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of ebonite (HS 401700)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($37M, 17% of world imports), the United States ($25M) and Japan ($16M). World imports came to about $223M, 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 Ebonite the same in all countries?
The base HS code 401700 for Ebonite 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 ebonite in Brazil?
In Brazil, ebonite (HS 401700) is classified under NCM 4017.00.00.