Product classification
HS code for Softboard: 4411.94
Fibreboard (other than MDF) of a density not exceeding 0.5g/cm3, of wood or other ligneous materials, bonded or not with resins or other organic substances.
Classification of softboard under HS 4411.94
HS code 4411.94 is designated for fibreboard of wood or other ligneous materials with a density not exceeding 0.5 g/cm³. The classification is strictly based on the physical property of density and the manufacturing process. Unlike Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF), which typically ranges from 0.5 to 0.8 g/cm³, softboard is produced using a wet process where the fibres are felted together, often without the addition of significant amounts of resin. This results in a porous, lightweight material used primarily for thermal and acoustic insulation, or as expansion joint fillers in construction. The classification remains under 4411.94 regardless of whether the board has been mechanically worked, surface-covered, or impregnated with substances like bitumen, provided the density remains within the specified limit. The material must be made from wood fibres or other vegetable fibres that have been reduced to a pulp before being formed into sheets.
- Covers
- Low-density insulation board for walls and roofs
- Acoustic ceiling tiles made of wood fibre
- Pinboards and bulletin board cores
- Bitumen-impregnated expansion joint fillers
- Underlayment boards for flooring with density < 0.5g/cm³
- Also under 4411.94
- Celotex insulation board
- IKEA pin boards
- certain types of ceiling tiles
- sound-absorbing wall panels
- protective packaging inserts
Codes often confused with 4411.94
Common mistake. Softboard is most commonly misclassified under 4411.12, 4411.13, or 4411.14, which are the codes for MDF. The distinction is purely density-based; any fibreboard exceeding 0.5 g/cm³ cannot be classified as softboard. It is also sometimes confused with 44.10 (particle board), but particle board is made from wood chips or flakes rather than refined fibres.
Top exporters and importers of HS 441194 (the code used for softboard), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 441194 (the code used for softboard) in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 23% 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 441194, not only softboard.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Poland $236M 42% of world exports
- 2 Germany $104M 19% of world exports
- 3 France $82M 15% of world exports
World total: $557M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $138M 23% of world imports
- 2 France $127M 22% of world imports
- 3 Switzerland $49M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $588M 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 codes for softboard
Brazil splits HS 4411.94 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 4411.94.10Plain non-MDF fibreboard, up to 0.5 g/cm³
- 4411.94.90Other non-MDF fibreboard, up to 0.5 g/cm³
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 softboard
What is the HS code for Softboard?
The HS code for Softboard is 441194 (Fibreboard (other than MDF) of a density not exceeding 0.5g/cm3, of wood or other ligneous materials, bonded or not with resins or other organic substances). The HS code for softboard with a density not exceeding 0.5 g/cm³ is 4411.94.
How do I classify Softboard for customs?
Softboard is classified under HS code 441194 — Fibreboard (other than MDF) of a density not exceeding 0.5g/cm3, of wood or other ligneous materials, bonded or not with resins or other organic substances. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is MDF classified under the same code as softboard?
No, MDF is classified under subheadings 4411.12 through 4411.14 because its density is higher than the 0.5 g/cm³ threshold required for softboard.
Which countries are the top exporters of softboard (HS 441194)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 441194 (the code used for softboard) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($236M, 42% of world exports), Germany ($104M) and France ($82M). World exports came to about $557M, 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 softboard (HS 441194)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 441194 (the code used for softboard) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($138M, 23% of world imports), France ($127M) and Switzerland ($49M). World imports came to about $588M, 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 Softboard the same in all countries?
The base HS code 441194 for Softboard 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 softboard in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 441194 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for softboard depends on the product's details: 4411.94.10 (Plain non-MDF fibreboard, up to 0.5 g/cm³), 4411.94.90 (Other non-MDF fibreboard, up to 0.5 g/cm³).