Product classification
HS code for Solid rubber sheets: 4008.21
Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), in plates, sheets and strip, of non-cellular rubber.
Classification of solid rubber sheets under HS 4008.21
Solid rubber sheets are classified under HS code 4008.21. This code is part of the Harmonized System's Chapter 40, dedicated to rubber products. Heading 4008 is reserved for plates, sheets, strip, rods, and profile shapes made of vulcanised rubber, excluding hard rubber. The subheading 4008.21 specifically identifies non-cellular rubber that has been processed into flat forms such as plates, sheets, or strips. To qualify for this code, the rubber must be vulcanised, meaning it has undergone a chemical process to improve its elasticity and durability. Furthermore, the "non-cellular" designation ensures that the material is solid throughout and does not contain a foam or sponge-like structure. These sheets are typically used as raw materials for gaskets, seals, or industrial flooring. The classification applies to sheets that are either in rolls or cut into rectangular shapes but have not been further worked into a finished article.
- Covers
- Vulcanised rubber plates
- Solid rubber sheets in rolls
- Non-cellular rubber strips
- Uncut rubber matting in sheet form
- Vulcanised rubber flooring in large sheets
- Also under 4008.21
- Goodyear industrial rubber sheets
- Gates rubber strips
- Continental ContiTech rubber plates
- Rubber-Cal SBR sheets
- Freudenberg Sealing Technologies rubber material.
Codes often confused with 4008.21
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 4008.11, which is used for cellular (foam or sponge) rubber sheets. If the rubber contains air cells, it must be classified under 4008.11. Additionally, importers often confuse these with plastic sheets under HS code 3921. The distinction depends entirely on whether the material meets the definition of rubber or plastic according to the Chapter 40 notes. Finally, if the sheet is cut to a specific non-rectangular shape, it may be classified as a finished article under 4016.
Top exporters and importers of HS 400821 (the code used for solid rubber sheets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 400821 (the code used for solid rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 400821, not only solid rubber sheets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $624M 24% of world exports
- 2 China $332M 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $224M 8.7% of world exports
World total: $2.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $318M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $173M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 France $150M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $2.3B 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 solid rubber sheets
Brazil classifies solid rubber sheets under NCM 4008.21.00: HS 4008.21 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 solid rubber sheets
What is the HS code for Solid rubber sheets?
The HS code for Solid rubber sheets is 400821 (Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), in plates, sheets and strip, of non-cellular rubber). The HS code for solid, non-cellular vulcanised rubber sheets is 4008.21.
How do I classify Solid rubber sheets for customs?
Solid rubber sheets is classified under HS code 400821 — Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), in plates, sheets and strip, of non-cellular rubber. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
One more relevant question
Can finished rubber gaskets be classified here? No, finished gaskets are typically classified under HS code 4016.93, as 4008.21 is for the raw sheet material.
Which countries are the top exporters of solid rubber sheets (HS 400821)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 400821 (the code used for solid rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($624M, 24% of world exports), China ($332M) and the United States ($224M). World exports came to about $2.6B, 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 solid rubber sheets (HS 400821)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 400821 (the code used for solid rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($318M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($173M) and France ($150M). World imports came to about $2.3B, 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 Solid rubber sheets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 400821 for Solid 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 solid rubber sheets in Brazil?
In Brazil, solid rubber sheets (HS 400821) is classified under NCM 4008.21.00.