Product classification
HS code for Foam rubber blocks: 4008.19
Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), cellular rubber, (other than in plates, sheets or strip).
Classification of foam rubber blocks under HS 4008.19
Foam rubber blocks are classified under HS code 4008.19. This classification is determined by the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI), specifically focusing on the material composition and the physical form of the product. Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof. Heading 4008 specifically addresses plates, sheets, strip, rods, and profile shapes of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber. Within this heading, a distinction is made between cellular and non-cellular rubber. Cellular rubber contains many cells (either open, closed, or both) dispersed throughout its mass, typically making it lighter and more compressible than solid rubber. Subheading 4008.19 is the residual category for cellular rubber that is not in the form of plates, sheets, or strip. Therefore, blocks—which are three-dimensional masses often used as raw material for further carving, machining, or industrial applications—fall into this specific code because they do not meet the dimensional definitions of sheets or strips. The classification process requires verifying that the rubber is vulcanized and that the cellular structure is the predominant feature. If the block were made of unvulcanized rubber, it would likely fall under heading 4005. Furthermore, if the block is made of a plastic material that resembles rubber (like certain polyurethanes), it would be classified in Chapter 39 instead. Customs authorities look at the chemical composition and the degree of cross-linking to distinguish between synthetic rubber and plastic.
- Covers
- Rectangular cellular rubber blocks
- Square foam rubber blocks
- Industrial rubber profile shapes
- Vulcanized cellular rubber rods
- Thick foam rubber masses for manufacturing
- Also under 4008.19
- Rogers Poron moulded parts
- Saint-Gobain Norseal profiles
- Armacell ArmaFlex insulation tubes
- Rubber-Cal sponge rubber cords
- custom automotive foam seals.
Codes often confused with 4008.19
Common mistake. Foam rubber blocks are frequently confused with HS code 4008.11, which is reserved specifically for plates, sheets, and strip. The distinction lies in the thickness and shape; blocks are generally thicker and do not conform to the flat, thin profile of sheets. Another common error is using HS code 3921.13 for polyurethane foam blocks. While they look similar, 3921.13 is for plastics, whereas 4008.19 is strictly for vulcanized rubber.
Top exporters and importers of HS 400819 (the code used for foam rubber blocks), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 400819 (the code used for foam rubber blocks) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 9.5% 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 400819, not only foam rubber blocks.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $34M 15% of world exports
- 2 Germany $32M 14% of world exports
- 3 France $13M 5.8% of world exports
World total: $222M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $24M 9.5% of world imports
- 2 United States $20M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $19M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $248M 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 foam rubber blocks
Brazil classifies foam rubber blocks under NCM 4008.19.00: HS 4008.19 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 foam rubber blocks
What is the HS code for Foam rubber blocks?
The HS code for Foam rubber blocks is 400819 (Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), cellular rubber, (other than in plates, sheets or strip)). The HS code for foam rubber blocks made of vulcanized cellular rubber is 4008.19.
How do I classify Foam rubber blocks for customs?
Foam rubber blocks is classified under HS code 400819 — Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), cellular rubber, (other than in plates, sheets or strip). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do you distinguish between rubber and plastic foam?
The distinction is based on the chemical composition and the vulcanization process. Rubber (Chapter 40) can be stretched and will return to its original shape, whereas plastic (Chapter 39) typically does not have the same elastic recovery properties under the same conditions.
Which countries are the top exporters of foam rubber blocks (HS 400819)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 400819 (the code used for foam rubber blocks) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($34M, 15% of world exports), Germany ($32M) and France ($13M). World exports came to about $222M, 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 foam rubber blocks (HS 400819)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 400819 (the code used for foam rubber blocks) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($24M, 9.5% of world imports), the United States ($20M) and Germany ($19M). World imports came to about $248M, 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 Foam rubber blocks the same in all countries?
The base HS code 400819 for Foam rubber blocks 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 foam rubber blocks in Brazil?
In Brazil, foam rubber blocks (HS 400819) is classified under NCM 4008.19.00.