Product classification
HS code for Hardwood charcoal: 4402.90
Wood, charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated.
Classification of hardwood charcoal under HS 4402.90
Hardwood charcoal is classified under HS code 4402.90, which pertains to wood charcoal (including shell or nut charcoal), whether or not agglomerated, excluding bamboo charcoal. This classification is situated within Chapter 44, covering wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal. The determination for this code relies on the carbonization process where wood is heated in the absence of oxygen to remove volatile components, leaving behind carbon. Subheading 4402.90 specifically captures charcoal derived from non-coniferous (hardwood) species such as oak, beech, or hickory, as well as charcoal made from nut shells or fruit stones. It is distinguished from bamboo charcoal, which has its own specific subheading (4402.10). The classification applies to charcoal in various forms, including lumps, granules, or powder, and includes briquettes or other agglomerated forms where the charcoal has been pressed together with a binder. This code is vital for environmental and trade regulations, as hardwood charcoal production is often subject to sustainability certifications and export quotas in many jurisdictions.
- Covers
- Oak wood charcoal
- Hickory charcoal briquettes
- Coconut shell charcoal
- Fruit stone charcoal (e.g., apricot or olive pits)
- Lump charcoal from non-coniferous wood
- Agglomerated hardwood charcoal powder
- Also under 4402.90
- Kingsford Original Charcoal
- Weber Briquettes
- Royal Oak Lump Charcoal
- Fogo Premium Hardwood Charcoal
- Big Green Egg Charcoal
Codes often confused with 4402.90
Common mistake. Hardwood charcoal is often confused with HS code 4402.10, which is strictly reserved for bamboo charcoal. Another common misclassification is HS code 4401.12, which covers raw hardwood firewood; however, once the wood has undergone carbonization, it must be moved to Heading 4402. Additionally, activated carbon is classified under 3802.10 and should not be confused with standard fuel charcoal.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440290 (the code used for hardwood charcoal), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440290 (the code used for hardwood charcoal) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 7.9% 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 440290, not only hardwood charcoal.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $147M 14% of world exports
- 2 Ukraine* ~$84M 7.9% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$75M 7.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $110M 7.9% of world imports
- 2 United States $105M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $92M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 hardwood charcoal
Brazil classifies hardwood charcoal under NCM 4402.90.00: HS 4402.90 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 hardwood charcoal
What is the HS code for Hardwood charcoal?
The HS code for Hardwood charcoal is 440290 (Wood; charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated). The HS code for hardwood charcoal is 4402.90. This includes all wood charcoal that is not derived from bamboo.
How do I classify Hardwood charcoal for customs?
Hardwood charcoal is classified under HS code 440290 — Wood; charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is charcoal made from coconut shells classified here?
Yes, charcoal made from nut shells, including coconut shells, is classified under 4402.90 because it is considered a wood-like carbonized product other than bamboo.
Which countries are the top exporters of hardwood charcoal (HS 440290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440290 (the code used for hardwood charcoal) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($147M, 14% of world exports), Ukraine (about $84M) and Vietnam (about $75M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 hardwood charcoal (HS 440290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440290 (the code used for hardwood charcoal) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($110M, 7.9% of world imports), the United States ($105M) and South Korea ($92M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 Hardwood charcoal the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440290 for Hardwood charcoal 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 hardwood charcoal in Brazil?
In Brazil, hardwood charcoal (HS 440290) is classified under NCM 4402.90.00.