Product classification
HS code for Tapers: 3406.00
Candles, tapers and the like.
Classification of tapers under HS 3406.00
Tapers are classified under HS code 3406.00. This heading is dedicated to "Candles, tapers and the like." Tapers are essentially slender candles, often used for lighting other candles or for ceremonial purposes. They consist of a wick, usually made of cotton or other fibrous material, which is coated with wax, stearin, or paraffin. Chapter 34 of the Harmonized System covers soap, organic surface-active agents, and various wax-based products. Heading 3406 is a specific, single-level heading that does not have further sub-divisions in the international nomenclature, meaning all types of candles and tapers are grouped together. The classification is based on the composition and the intended use of the product as a source of light or for decorative/ceremonial burning. Even if the taper is scented or colored, or if it is intended for a specific holiday, it remains under 3406.00, provided it retains the essential character of a candle (a wick surrounded by a combustible fuel source). This classification follows GRI 1, as the heading text explicitly includes the term "tapers."
- Covers
- Wax tapers
- Paraffin tapers
- Beeswax tapers
- Votive tapers
- Ceremonial lighting sticks
- Also under 3406.00
- Yankee Candle
- Bath & Body Works Candles
- Diptyque Candles
- IKEA Candles
- Jo Malone London Candles
Codes often confused with 3406.00
Common mistake. Tapers are sometimes misclassified under HS code 9505.10, which covers articles for Christmas festivities. While tapers are used during holidays, Note 1(e) to Chapter 95 excludes candles from that chapter. Another misclassification is 9405.50 for non-electrical lamps, but since tapers are consumable fuel sources with wicks, they are specifically directed to 3406.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 340600 (the code used for tapers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340600 (the code used for tapers) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 340600, not only tapers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $928M 19% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$841M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Poland $794M 16% of world exports
World total: $4.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.2B 26% of world imports
- 2 Germany $553M 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $378M 8.2% of world imports
World total: $4.6B 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 tapers
Brazil classifies tapers under NCM 3406.00.00: HS 3406.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tapers
What is the HS code for Tapers?
The HS code for Tapers is 340600 (Candles, tapers and the like). The HS code for tapers is 3406.00.
How do I classify Tapers for customs?
Tapers is classified under HS code 340600 — Candles, tapers and the like. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are LED "tapers" classified under this code?
No, battery-operated LED tapers are classified under HS code 9405.42 (or 9405.49) as electric lamps and lighting fittings, because they do not involve the combustion of wax and a wick.
Which countries are the top exporters of tapers (HS 340600)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340600 (the code used for tapers) in UN Comtrade data were China ($928M, 19% of world exports), Vietnam (about $841M) and Poland ($794M). World exports came to about $4.8B, 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 tapers (HS 340600)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 340600 (the code used for tapers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.2B, 26% of world imports), Germany ($553M) and the United Kingdom ($378M). World imports came to about $4.6B, 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.
Is the HS code for Tapers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 340600 for Tapers 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 tapers in Brazil?
In Brazil, tapers (HS 340600) is classified under NCM 3406.00.00.