Product classification
HS code for Leather waste: 4115.20
Leather, parings and other waste, of leather or composition leather, not suitable for the manufacture of leather articles, leather dust, powder and flour.
Classification of leather waste under HS 4115.20
Leather waste is classified under HS code 4115.20. This code is located in Chapter 41, which covers raw hides, skins, and leather. Heading 4115 includes composition leather with a basis of leather or leather fiber, in slabs, sheets, or strip, whether or not in rolls, as well as parings and other waste of leather or composition leather. Subheading 4115.20 specifically covers parings and other waste of leather or composition leather, not suitable for the manufacture of leather articles, as well as leather dust, powder, and flour. This classification is intended for the byproducts of the leather manufacturing process that cannot be used to create standard leather goods like shoes or bags. This includes small scraps from cutting patterns, shavings from the thinning process (skiving), and the fine dust produced during buffing. While this material is "waste" in the context of traditional manufacturing, it often has value in other industries, such as the production of bonded leather or as a nitrogen source in fertilizers. However, for HS purposes, its origin as leather scrap determines its 4115.20 classification. It is distinct from "composition leather" (4115.10), which is a reconstituted material made from leather fibers and binders. Proper classification ensures that industrial waste is tracked for environmental and trade purposes.
- Covers
- Leather parings and trimmings from manufacturing
- Leather shavings (blue shavings or crust shavings)
- Leather dust and powder from buffing operations
- Leather flour used as filler material
- Scrap leather not suitable for making leather goods
- Also under 4115.20
- Waste from JBS Couros tanneries
- Pittards leather offcuts
- ECCO Leather production waste
- materials for reconstituted leather sheets
- organic fertilizer components
Codes often confused with 4115.20
Common mistake. Leather waste is sometimes misclassified under HS code 4115.10, which is for composition leather. However, 4115.10 is for the finished reconstituted sheets, while 4115.20 is for the raw scrap. Another error is using 0511.99 for animal products; however, once the hide has been tanned or worked into leather, its waste must stay within Chapter 41. If the waste is intended for use as fertilizer, some may try to use Chapter 31, but 4115.20 remains the specific code for the material itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS 411520 (the code used for leather waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 411520 (the code used for leather waste) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 17% 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 411520, not only leather waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $5.9M 43% of world exports
- 2 Italy $2.8M 20% of world exports
- 3 Bolivia $876K 6.3% of world exports
World total: $14M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $1.4M 17% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $1.1M 14% of world imports
- 3 Brazil $986K 12% of world imports
World total: $7.9M 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 leather waste
Brazil classifies leather waste under NCM 4115.20.00: HS 4115.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about leather waste
What is the HS code for Leather waste?
The HS code for Leather waste is 411520 (Leather; parings and other waste, of leather or composition leather; not suitable for the manufacture of leather articles; leather dust, powder and flour). The HS code for leather waste, including parings, dust, and powder, is 4115.20.
How do I classify Leather waste for customs?
Leather waste is classified under HS code 411520 — Leather; parings and other waste, of leather or composition leather; not suitable for the manufacture of leather articles; leather dust, powder and flour. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can leather scrap be classified as raw hides?
No, raw hides fall under headings 4101 to 4103. Once the material has been processed into leather and then discarded as scrap, it must be classified as waste under 4115.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of leather waste (HS 411520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 411520 (the code used for leather waste) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($5.9M, 43% of world exports), Italy ($2.8M) and Bolivia ($876K). World exports came to about $14M, 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 leather waste (HS 411520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 411520 (the code used for leather waste) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($1.4M, 17% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($1.1M) and Brazil ($986K). World imports came to about $7.9M, 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 Leather waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 411520 for Leather waste 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 leather waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, leather waste (HS 411520) is classified under NCM 4115.20.00.