Product classification
HS code for Plaiting materials: 1401.90
Vegetable materials of a kind used primarily for plaiting, n.e.c. in heading no. 1401.
Classification of plaiting materials under HS 1401.90
Plaiting materials of vegetable origin are classified under HS code 1401.90. This subheading serves as a residual category within heading 1401, which covers vegetable materials of a kind used primarily for plaiting, such as for baskets, mats, or screens. While 1401.10 specifically covers bamboos and 1401.20 covers rattans, 1401.90 includes all other vegetable plaiting materials. This includes materials like cereal straw (cleaned, bleached, or dyed), lime bark, willow (osier), reeds, rushes, and raffia. To fall under this classification, the materials must be in their raw state or have undergone simple processing like cleaning, splitting, or dyeing, but they must not yet be manufactured into finished articles. The classification is based on the botanical nature of the material and its intended industrial or handicraft use. These materials are valued for their flexibility and strength in traditional weaving and modern eco-friendly product manufacturing.
- Covers
- Raffia fibers
- Osier (willow) twigs and branches
- Cleaned cereal straw for weaving
- Lime bark strips
- Reeds and rushes for basketry
- Also under 1401.90
- Craft store raffia ribbon
- willow basketry kits
- straw hat blanks
- seagrass mats (material)
- palm leaf fans (material)
- dried corn husks for crafts
Codes often confused with 1401.90
Common mistake. Plaiting materials are often misclassified under 1401.10 (Bamboo) or 1401.20 (Rattan) if the specific plant species is not correctly identified. More significantly, they are frequently confused with products in Chapter 46, such as HS code 4601, which covers manufactures of plaiting materials like mats, screens, and basketwork. The distinction is that Chapter 14 covers the raw or semi-processed material, while Chapter 46 covers the finished goods made from those materials. Additionally, if the material is intended for use as stuffing or padding, it may fall under heading 1404.
Top exporters and importers of HS 140190 (the code used for plaiting materials), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 140190 (the code used for plaiting materials) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 32% 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 140190, not only plaiting materials.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $27M 36% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $8.6M 11% of world exports
- 3 Madagascar $4.0M 5.4% of world exports
World total: $75M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $23M 32% of world imports
- 2 Germany $8.9M 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $6.6M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $74M 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 plaiting materials
Brazil classifies plaiting materials under NCM 1401.90.00: HS 1401.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about plaiting materials
What is the HS code for Plaiting materials?
The HS code for Plaiting materials is 140190 (Vegetable materials of a kind used primarily for plaiting; n.e.c. in heading no. 1401). The HS code for vegetable plaiting materials (excluding bamboo and rattan) is 1401.90.
How do I classify Plaiting materials for customs?
Plaiting materials is classified under HS code 140190 — Vegetable materials of a kind used primarily for plaiting; n.e.c. in heading no. 1401. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 1401.90 include finished wicker baskets?
No, finished wicker baskets are classified under heading 4602. HS code 1401.90 only covers the raw or semi-processed vegetable materials used to make them.
Which countries are the top exporters of plaiting materials (HS 140190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 140190 (the code used for plaiting materials) in UN Comtrade data were China ($27M, 36% of world exports), the Netherlands ($8.6M) and Madagascar ($4.0M). World exports came to about $75M, 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 plaiting materials (HS 140190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 140190 (the code used for plaiting materials) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($23M, 32% of world imports), Germany ($8.9M) and the United Kingdom ($6.6M). World imports came to about $74M, 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 Plaiting materials the same in all countries?
The base HS code 140190 for Plaiting materials 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 plaiting materials in Brazil?
In Brazil, plaiting materials (HS 140190) is classified under NCM 1401.90.00.