Product classification

HS code for Poplar lumber: 4407.97

Wood, of poplar and aspen (Populus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed.

Classification of poplar lumber under HS 4407.97

Poplar lumber is classified under HS code 4407.97 because it meets the specific criteria for wood that has been processed beyond simple logs but remains in a primary sawn state. Chapter 44 of the Harmonized System governs wood and articles of wood, with heading 4407 specifically covering wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded, or finger-jointed, provided the thickness exceeds 6mm. The subheading 4407.97 is a specific designation for wood of the genus Populus, which includes various species of poplar and aspen. This classification ensures that the botanical origin and the physical dimensions of the lumber are accurately captured for customs and trade statistics. The processing level—sawn, planed, or finger-jointed—is secondary to the species and thickness requirements for this specific code. Poplar is a hardwood, but for the purposes of the HS nomenclature, it is categorized within the non-coniferous section under the specific subheading for Populus species. This distinction is important for environmental regulations and trade quotas that may apply to specific timber types. The 6mm thickness threshold is a critical dividing line in Chapter 44; anything thinner is generally classified as veneer under heading 4408. Furthermore, the wood must not be continuously shaped along any of its edges or faces, such as tongued, grooved, or rebated, as that would move the classification to heading 4409.

Covers
  • Sawn poplar boards exceeding 6mm thickness
  • Aspen planks for construction
  • Finger-jointed poplar wood beams
  • Planed poplar timber
  • Sanded aspen lumber
  • Poplar wood chipped lengthwise
Also under 4407.97
  • Weyerhaeuser Poplar Lumber
  • Georgia-Pacific Aspen Boards
  • Interfor Poplar Timber
  • Boise Cascade Poplar Dimension Stock

Codes often confused with 4407.97

Common mistake. Poplar lumber is frequently confused with HS code 4403, which covers wood in the rough, such as logs or roughly squared timber that has not been sawn into planks. Another common error is using 4408 for thin poplar sheets; however, 4408 is strictly for wood 6mm or thinner (veneer). If the poplar wood has been continuously shaped (e.g., tongue-and-groove flooring), it must be classified under 4409 rather than 4407.97.

44.03Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared44.08Sheets for veneering (including those obtained by slicing laminated wood), for plywood or for similar laminated wood and other wood, sawn lengthwise, sliced or peeled, planed or not, sanded, spliced or end-jointed, of a thickness not exceeding 6 mm44.09Wood (including strips, friezes for parquet flooring, not assembled), continuously shaped (tongued, grooved, v-jointed, beaded or the like) along any edges, ends or faces, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed

Top exporters and importers of HS 440797 (the code used for poplar lumber), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440797 (the code used for poplar lumber) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 60% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 20% 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 440797, not only poplar lumber.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $149M
  2. 2 Canada $32M
  3. 3 Latvia $15M

World total: $249M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Vietnam* ~$38M
  2. 2 United States $31M
  3. 3 Canada $20M

World total: $191M 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 poplar lumber

Brazil classifies poplar lumber under NCM 4407.97.00: HS 4407.97 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.

This product is covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), requiring operators to exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.

Questions about poplar lumber

What is the HS code for Poplar lumber?

The HS code for Poplar lumber is 440797 (Wood; of poplar and aspen (Populus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed). The HS code for poplar lumber is 4407.97, which covers wood of the genus Populus, sawn or chipped lengthwise, exceeding 6mm in thickness.

How do I classify Poplar lumber for customs?

Poplar lumber is classified under HS code 440797 — Wood; of poplar and aspen (Populus spp.), sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, of a thickness exceeding 6mm, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include poplar logs?

No, poplar logs are classified under heading 4403 as wood in the rough, provided they have not been sawn into lumber.

Which countries are the top exporters of poplar lumber (HS 440797)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440797 (the code used for poplar lumber) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($149M, 60% of world exports), Canada ($32M) and Latvia ($15M). World exports came to about $249M, 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 poplar lumber (HS 440797)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 440797 (the code used for poplar lumber) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $38M, 20% of world imports), the United States ($31M) and Canada ($20M). World imports came to about $191M, 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 Poplar lumber the same in all countries?

The base HS code 440797 for Poplar lumber 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 poplar lumber in Brazil?

In Brazil, poplar lumber (HS 440797) is classified under NCM 4407.97.00.