Product classification
HS code for Treated hardwood logs: 4403.12
Wood, non-coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives.
Classification of treated hardwood logs under HS 4403.12
Classification of treated hardwood logs falls under HS code 4403.12. This code is situated within Chapter 44, which covers wood and articles of wood. Heading 4403 specifically addresses wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared. The subheading 4403.12 is reserved for non-coniferous species that have been treated with paint, stains, creosote, or other preservatives to prevent decay or insect infestation. The classification is determined by General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Since these logs are in their primary rough state but have undergone a preservation process, they are distinguished from untreated logs. The treatment must be more than just a simple surface application for temporary protection during transit; it must be intended for long-term preservation. Hardwood species, such as oak, beech, or tropical woods, are categorized here as non-coniferous. The presence of preservatives is the defining characteristic that separates this code from the general hardwood log categories. Importers must ensure that the treatment is documented to justify the use of this specific code over untreated alternatives.
- Covers
- Creosote-treated oak logs in the rough
- Hardwood logs treated with anti-fungal stains
- Tropical hardwood logs injected with insecticidal preservatives
- Roughly squared beech logs with protective paint coatings
- Sapwood-stripped hardwood logs treated for maritime use
- Also under 4403.12
- Koppers (treated wood products)
- Stella-Jones (utility poles)
- Arch Wood Protection (preservatives)
- Tanalith (wood preservatives)
Codes often confused with 4403.12
Common mistake. Treated hardwood logs are frequently misclassified under HS code 4403.91 through 4403.99, which are intended for untreated wood in the rough. The distinction lies entirely in the preservative treatment; if any long-term preservative is applied, 4403.12 must be used. Another common error is using HS code 4407, which is reserved for wood that has been sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced, or peeled, and exceeds 6mm in thickness. If the log remains in its rough, round, or roughly squared form, 4403 is the correct heading regardless of the treatment.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440312 (the code used for treated hardwood logs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440312 (the code used for treated hardwood logs) in UN Comtrade data was Latvia, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Slovakia, with 27% 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 440312, not only treated hardwood logs.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Latvia $15M 24% of world exports
- 2 Eswatini* ~$13M 20% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Lithuania $5.8M 9.0% of world exports
World total: $65M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Slovakia $25M 27% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $11M 12% of world imports
- 3 South Africa $11M 12% of world imports
World total: $93M 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 treated hardwood logs
Brazil classifies treated hardwood logs under NCM 4403.12.00: HS 4403.12 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.
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 treated hardwood logs
What is the HS code for Treated hardwood logs?
The HS code for Treated hardwood logs is 440312 (Wood; non-coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared; treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives). The HS code for treated hardwood logs is 4403.12, which covers non-coniferous wood in the rough treated with preservatives.
How do I classify Treated hardwood logs for customs?
Treated hardwood logs is classified under HS code 440312 — Wood; non-coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared; treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between HS code 4403.11 and 4403.12?
HS code 4403.11 is specifically for coniferous (softwood) species like pine or fir, while 4403.12 is for non-coniferous (hardwood) species like oak or maple.
Which countries are the top exporters of treated hardwood logs (HS 440312)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440312 (the code used for treated hardwood logs) in UN Comtrade data were Latvia ($15M, 24% of world exports), Eswatini (about $13M) and Lithuania ($5.8M). World exports came to about $65M, 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 treated hardwood logs (HS 440312)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440312 (the code used for treated hardwood logs) in UN Comtrade data were Slovakia ($25M, 27% of world imports), the Netherlands ($11M) and South Africa ($11M). World imports came to about $93M, 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 Treated hardwood logs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440312 for Treated hardwood logs 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 treated hardwood logs in Brazil?
In Brazil, treated hardwood logs (HS 440312) is classified under NCM 4403.12.00.