Product classification
HS code for Natural cork: 4501.10
Cork, natural cork, raw or simply prepared.
Classification of natural cork under HS 4501.10
Natural cork in its raw or simply prepared state is classified under HS code 4501.10. This code is part of Chapter 45, which is dedicated to cork and articles made from it. Heading 4501 covers natural cork that is raw or has undergone minimal preparation, such as cleaning or scraping to remove the outer layer (the back). It also includes waste cork and crushed or ground cork. Subheading 4501.10 specifically targets the raw bark of the cork oak tree (Quercus suber). The classification is based on the lack of significant processing; once the cork is squared, sliced, or further manufactured into products like stoppers or tiles, it moves to subsequent headings within the chapter. Natural cork is prized for its elasticity, impermeability, and insulation properties. The raw material is typically harvested in planks and then seasoned. If the cork is simply cleaned or has the outer crust removed to reveal the usable material, it remains under 4501.10. This classification ensures that raw material imports are tracked separately from finished cork goods or semi-processed cork slabs that have been squared into blocks.
- Covers
- Virgin cork (first harvest)
- Raw cork bark in planks
- Cleaned or scraped natural cork
- Cork bark with outer crust removed
- Natural cork in irregular pieces
- Also under 4501.10
- Amorim raw cork bark
- Corticeira Herdade da Comporta cork planks
- raw cork from Alentejo forests
Codes often confused with 4501.10
Common mistake. Natural cork is often confused with de-backed or roughly squared cork, which is classified under HS code 4502.00. Once the cork has been cut into rectangular blocks or sheets, it no longer qualifies for 4501.10. Additionally, waste cork or ground cork is classified under 4501.90, and finished articles like cork stoppers are classified under 4503.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 450110 (the code used for natural cork), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 450110 (the code used for natural cork) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 69% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 64% 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 450110, not only natural cork.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $60M 69% of world exports
- 2 Portugal $15M 17% of world exports
- 3 Italy $6.0M 6.9% of world exports
World total: $87M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Portugal $73M 64% of world imports
- 2 Spain $18M 16% of world imports
- 3 China $8.8M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $114M 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 natural cork
Brazil classifies natural cork under NCM 4501.10.00: HS 4501.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about natural cork
What is the HS code for Natural cork?
The HS code for Natural cork is 450110 (Cork; natural cork, raw or simply prepared).
How do I classify Natural cork for customs?
Natural cork is classified under HS code 450110 — Cork; natural cork, raw or simply prepared. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for raw natural cork?
The HS code for natural cork that is raw or simply prepared is 4501.10.
Does 4501.10 include cork that has been cut into squares?
No, cork that has been squared or de-backed into rectangular blocks is classified under HS code 4502.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of natural cork (HS 450110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 450110 (the code used for natural cork) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($60M, 69% of world exports), Portugal ($15M) and Italy ($6.0M). World exports came to about $87M, 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 natural cork (HS 450110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 450110 (the code used for natural cork) in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($73M, 64% of world imports), Spain ($18M) and China ($8.8M). World imports came to about $114M, 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 Natural cork the same in all countries?
The base HS code 450110 for Natural cork 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 natural cork in Brazil?
In Brazil, natural cork (HS 450110) is classified under NCM 4501.10.00.