Product classification

HS code for Lamp 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 lamp wicks under HS 5908.00

The classification of lamp wicks under HS code 5908.00 is determined by the material composition and the specific manufacturing process of the textile. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), products are classified based on their constituent materials and their primary function. Heading 5908 specifically addresses textile wicks that are woven, plaited, or knitted. These wicks are designed for use in lamps, stoves, lighters, and candles. The textile structure is critical because it facilitates the capillary action necessary to draw fuel to the flame. This heading also encompasses incandescent gas mantles and the tubular knitted fabric used to manufacture them. Whether the textile is impregnated with chemicals to enhance its burning properties or left in its natural state, it remains under this code as long as the primary component is a textile material. This classification excludes wicks made of non-textile materials, such as pure glass fiber or metal, which are classified elsewhere based on their own material characteristics. The General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI) provide the framework for this classification. Specifically, GRI 1 states that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 59, Note 7(a), specifically mentions wicks of textile fabric for lamps and stoves. This ensures that even if a wick is treated with chemicals to control the rate of burn or to provide a specific flame color, it remains within the textile chapter. The manufacturing process—whether the fibers are twisted, braided, or woven—is also a key factor. Woven wicks are often used in flat-wick lamps, while circular or tubular wicks are common in center-draft lamps.

Covers
  • Cotton wicks for oil lamps
  • Braided textile wicks for candles
  • Woven wicks for kerosene stoves
  • Textile wicks for cigarette lighters
  • Tubular knitted gas mantle fabric
  • Incandescent gas mantles
Also under 5908.00
  • Atkins & Pearce Wicks
  • Wedo Wicks
  • CandleScience Wicks
  • Coleman Gas Mantles
  • Petromax Mantles

Codes often confused with 5908.00

Common mistake. Lamp wicks are often confused with HS code 7019.90, which covers fiberglass wicks. Because glass fiber is not considered a textile under Chapter 59, it must be classified in Chapter 70. Additionally, wicks are sometimes misclassified under 3606.90, which is reserved for lighter flints or prepared liquid fuels, rather than the textile delivery mechanism itself.

7019.90Glass fibres; n.e.c. in heading no. 70193606.90Ferro-cerium and other pyrophoric alloys in all forms; articles of combustible materials n.e.c. in chapter 36

Top exporters and importers of HS 590800 (the code used for lamp wicks), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 590800 (the code used for lamp 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 lamp wicks.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $17M
  2. 2 United States $7.1M
  3. 3 China $6.4M

World total: $48M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $7.4M
  2. 2 Germany $5.7M
  3. 3 Poland $4.9M

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 lamp wicks

Brazil classifies lamp 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 lamp wicks

What is the HS code for Lamp wicks?

The HS code for Lamp 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 textile lamp wicks is 5908.00.

How do I classify Lamp wicks for customs?

Lamp 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.

Are candle wicks with metal cores included in this code?

Yes, provided the textile component remains the primary structural element and the metal core is merely an internal support.

Which countries are the top exporters of lamp wicks (HS 590800)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 590800 (the code used for lamp 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 lamp wicks (HS 590800)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 590800 (the code used for lamp 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 Lamp wicks the same in all countries?

The base HS code 590800 for Lamp 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 lamp wicks in Brazil?

In Brazil, lamp wicks (HS 590800) is classified under NCM 5908.00.00.