Product classification
HS code for Ebonite scrap: 4017.00
Rubber, ebonite and other hard rubbers in all forms, including waste and scrap, and articles of hard rubber.
Classification of ebonite scrap under HS 4017.00
Ebonite scrap is classified under HS code 4017.00. This code is part of Chapter 40, which covers rubber and articles thereof. Heading 4017 is a specific category for hard rubber (such as ebonite) in all its forms, including waste and scrap. Hard rubber is distinguished from other types of rubber by its high sulfur content and the degree of vulcanization, which results in a rigid, non-flexible material. The classification of scrap and waste within this heading is crucial for recycling and environmental regulation. According to the HS Explanatory Notes, heading 4017 includes hard rubber obtained by vulcanizing rubber with a large proportion of sulfur to the point where it becomes hard and inextensible. The "waste and scrap" designation applies to products that are no longer usable for their original purpose due to breakage, cutting, or wear, but are suitable for the recovery of rubber or for use as raw material. This heading is comprehensive, covering the material from its raw hard state to finished articles, though scrap is specifically mentioned to ensure it is not confused with standard rubber waste found in heading 4004.
- Covers
- Ebonite waste and scrap
- Vulcanite scrap materials
- Broken hard rubber battery cases
- Hard rubber shavings and dust
- Discarded ebonite industrial components
- 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 scrap is often misclassified under HS code 4004.00, which covers waste, parings, and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber). The distinction lies in the chemical composition; 4004.00 is for soft or semi-hardened rubber, whereas 4017.00 is strictly for hard rubber. Another common error is using 3915.90 for plastic waste, as ebonite can visually resemble certain dark plastics. However, because ebonite is a vulcanized rubber product, it must remain in Chapter 40. Proper identification requires checking the sulfur content and the rigidity of the material.
Top exporters and importers of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite scrap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite scrap) 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 scrap.
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 scrap
Brazil classifies ebonite scrap 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 scrap
What is the HS code for Ebonite scrap?
The HS code for Ebonite scrap 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 scrap, along with other forms of hard rubber waste, is 4017.00.
How do I classify Ebonite scrap for customs?
Ebonite scrap 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 ebonite scrap considered a hazardous material for shipping?
While the HS code is 4017.00, the shipping requirements depend on the Basel Convention and local regulations regarding industrial waste, though the material itself is generally stable.
Which countries are the top exporters of ebonite scrap (HS 401700)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite scrap) 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 scrap (HS 401700)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 401700 (the code used for ebonite scrap) 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 scrap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 401700 for Ebonite scrap 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 scrap in Brazil?
In Brazil, ebonite scrap (HS 401700) is classified under NCM 4017.00.00.