Product classification
HS code for Smoked rubber sheets: 4001.21
Rubber, natural (excluding latex), in smoked sheets.
Classification of smoked rubber sheets under HS 4001.21
Natural rubber in smoked sheets is classified under HS code 4001.21. Chapter 40 of the Harmonized System covers rubber and articles thereof, with Heading 4001 focusing on natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle, and similar natural gums in primary forms or in plates, sheets, or strip. Subheading 4001.21 is very specific to "smoked sheets," which is a traditional and widely used method of processing natural rubber latex. In this process, the latex is coagulated, rolled into sheets, and then dried in a smokehouse. The smoke acts as a preservative to prevent fungal growth and oxidation, giving the rubber its characteristic amber color and smoky odor. These are often referred to in the industry as Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS). The classification is restricted to natural rubber; synthetic rubbers or mixtures of natural and synthetic rubber are classified under Heading 4002. Furthermore, if the rubber has been further worked into specific shapes or combined with other materials, it may move to subsequent headings in Chapter 40.
- Covers
- Ribbed Smoked Sheets (RSS)
- RSS Grade 1 (RSS1)
- RSS Grade 3 (RSS3)
- RSS Grade 5 (RSS5)
- Natural rubber sheets preserved by smoke
- Also under 4001.21
- RSS3 natural rubber (e.g., from Sri Trang)
- RSS1 natural rubber (e.g., from Halcyon Agri)
- Smoked sheet rubber from Michelin's suppliers
- Goodyear's raw material smoked sheets
- Bridgestone's natural rubber sheets
Codes often confused with 4001.21
Common mistake. Smoked rubber sheets are often confused with 4001.22, which covers Technically Specified Natural Rubber (TSNR). TSNR is processed differently, usually into blocks rather than sheets. Another misclassification is 4001.29, which is a residual category for other forms of natural rubber like crepe sheets. It is vital to distinguish smoked sheets (4001.21) from these other primary forms due to different market values and industrial applications.
Top exporters and importers of HS 400121 (the code used for smoked rubber sheets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 400121 (the code used for smoked rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 63% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% 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 400121, not only smoked rubber sheets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Thailand $1.0B 63% of world exports
- 2 Myanmar $282M 17% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$123M 7.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $710M 38% of world imports
- 2 United States $308M 16% of world imports
- 3 Japan $250M 13% of world imports
World total: $1.9B 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 smoked rubber sheets
Brazil classifies smoked rubber sheets under NCM 4001.21.00: HS 4001.21 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.
Questions about smoked rubber sheets
What is the HS code for Smoked rubber sheets?
The HS code for Smoked rubber sheets is 400121 (Rubber; natural (excluding latex), in smoked sheets). The HS code for natural rubber in smoked sheets is 4001.21.
How do I classify Smoked rubber sheets for customs?
Smoked rubber sheets is classified under HS code 400121 — Rubber; natural (excluding latex), in smoked sheets. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What does RSS stand for in rubber classification?
RSS stands for Ribbed Smoked Sheets, which is the standard commercial form of natural rubber classified under HS code 4001.21.
Which countries are the top exporters of smoked rubber sheets (HS 400121)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 400121 (the code used for smoked rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($1.0B, 63% of world exports), Myanmar ($282M) and Vietnam (about $123M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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 smoked rubber sheets (HS 400121)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 400121 (the code used for smoked rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data were China ($710M, 38% of world imports), the United States ($308M) and Japan ($250M). World imports came to about $1.9B, 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 Smoked rubber sheets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 400121 for Smoked rubber sheets 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 smoked rubber sheets in Brazil?
In Brazil, smoked rubber sheets (HS 400121) is classified under NCM 4001.21.00.