Product classification
HS code for Recycled rubber: 4003.00
Rubber, reclaimed rubber, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip.
Classification of recycled rubber under HS 4003.00
Recycled rubber, specifically reclaimed rubber, is classified under HS code 400300. This code applies to rubber that has been recovered from used tires or other scrap rubber products through a chemical or thermal process known as devulcanization. Unlike simple ground rubber, reclaimed rubber has been processed to restore some of its original plasticity, allowing it to be mixed with virgin rubber and revulcanized. The Harmonized System requires that reclaimed rubber be presented in primary forms, such as blocks, plates, sheets, or strips. This classification falls under Chapter 40, which covers rubber and articles thereof. Heading 4003 is unique because it specifically addresses the reclaimed state of the material. This is a crucial distinction for manufacturers who use recycled content to reduce costs and environmental impact. The classification ensures that the material is recognized as a raw material for manufacturing rather than just waste for disposal.
- Covers
- Reclaimed natural rubber
- Reclaimed synthetic rubber
- Devulcanized rubber in sheets
- Reclaimed rubber slabs
- Reclaimed butyl rubber
- Reclaimed EPDM
- Also under 4003.00
- GRP Ltd. reclaimed rubber
- Rubber Recyclers of America products
- Lehigh Technologies micronized rubber powder
- Genan rubber granulate
Codes often confused with 4003.00
Common mistake. Recycled rubber is often confused with HS code 400400, which covers waste, parings, and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber) and powders and granules obtained therefrom. The distinction is that 400400 is for unprocessed waste or simple crumbs, while 400300 is for rubber that has undergone a reclamation process. Another misclassification occurs with 4005, which is for compounded rubber. If the reclaimed rubber has been mixed with carbon black, silica, or other vulcanizing agents, it must be classified under 4005.
Top exporters and importers of HS 400300 (the code used for recycled rubber), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 400300 (the code used for recycled rubber) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% 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 400300, not only recycled rubber.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $89M 19% of world exports
- 2 Canada $89M 19% of world exports
- 3 China $88M 19% of world exports
World total: $472M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $122M 26% of world imports
- 2 United States $110M 23% of world imports
- 3 Thailand $28M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $475M 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 recycled rubber
Brazil classifies recycled rubber under NCM 4003.00.00: HS 4003.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about recycled rubber
What is the HS code for Recycled rubber?
The HS code for Recycled rubber is 400300 (Rubber; reclaimed rubber, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip). The HS code for reclaimed rubber in primary forms is 400300.
How do I classify Recycled rubber for customs?
Recycled rubber is classified under HS code 400300 — Rubber; reclaimed rubber, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ground tire crumb classified under 400300?
No, simple ground tire crumb or powder is typically classified under HS code 400400. Only devulcanized, reclaimed rubber belongs in 400300.
Which countries are the top exporters of recycled rubber (HS 400300)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 400300 (the code used for recycled rubber) in UN Comtrade data were India ($89M, 19% of world exports), Canada ($89M) and China ($88M). World exports came to about $472M, 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 recycled rubber (HS 400300)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 400300 (the code used for recycled rubber) in UN Comtrade data were China ($122M, 26% of world imports), the United States ($110M) and Thailand ($28M). World imports came to about $475M, 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 Recycled rubber the same in all countries?
The base HS code 400300 for Recycled rubber 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 recycled rubber in Brazil?
In Brazil, recycled rubber (HS 400300) is classified under NCM 4003.00.00.