Product classification
HS code for Treated railway ties: 4406.92
Wood, railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, non-coniferous.
Classification of treated railway ties under HS 4406.92
The classification of treated railway ties under HS code 4406.92 is governed by the General Interpretative Rules (GIR) and the specific definitions within Chapter 44 of the Harmonized System. Heading 4406 is dedicated to railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties) of wood. The code is further subdivided based on whether the wood is coniferous or non-coniferous and whether it has been impregnated. Subheading 4406.92 specifically identifies non-coniferous sleepers that have been impregnated with preservatives. Impregnation is a process where the wood is treated with substances like creosote, water-borne salts, or other chemical agents to enhance its durability and resistance to decay, insects, and fungi. This treatment is essential for wood used in trackbeds where it is exposed to harsh environmental conditions. To qualify for this code, the product must be clearly identifiable as a sleeper, typically characterized by its rectangular cross-section and specific dimensions required for supporting rails.
- Covers
- Creosote-treated oak railway sleepers
- Impregnated beech tramway ties
- Pressure-treated tropical hardwood cross-ties
- Chemically preserved non-coniferous wood sleepers for heavy rail
- Treated eucalyptus sleepers for industrial rail lines
- Also under 4406.92
- Koppers treated timber sleepers
- Stella-Jones railway ties
- Lonza wood preservatives (used on sleepers)
- various national railway infrastructure projects
Codes often confused with 4406.92
Common mistake. A frequent error involves confusing 4406.92 with 4406.12, which covers non-coniferous sleepers that are "not impregnated." If the wood has only been surface-treated or painted rather than deeply impregnated, it belongs in the latter. Additionally, sleepers made from coniferous wood (such as pine or fir) must be classified under 4406.91 if treated, or 4406.11 if untreated. Misclassification also occurs with heading 4407 if the wood is sawn but not specifically shaped or intended for use as a railway sleeper.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440692 (the code used for treated railway ties), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440692 (the code used for treated railway ties) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 58% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 54% 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 440692, not only treated railway ties.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $122M 58% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $18M 8.7% of world exports
- 3 Germany $17M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $210M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $104M 54% of world imports
- 2 Slovenia $10M 5.2% of world imports
- 3 Croatia $9.2M 4.7% of world imports
World total: $195M 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 treated railway ties
Brazil classifies treated railway ties under NCM 4406.92.00: HS 4406.92 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 railway ties
What is the HS code for Treated railway ties?
The HS code for Treated railway ties is 440692 (Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, non-coniferous). The HS code for treated (impregnated) non-coniferous railway ties is 4406.92. If they are coniferous, the code is 4406.91.
How do I classify Treated railway ties for customs?
Treated railway ties is classified under HS code 440692 — Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), impregnated, non-coniferous. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include concrete or steel sleepers?
No, HS code 4406.92 is strictly for wood. Concrete sleepers are classified under heading 6810, and steel sleepers fall under heading 7302.
Which countries are the top exporters of treated railway ties (HS 440692)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440692 (the code used for treated railway ties) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($122M, 58% of world exports), Czechia ($18M) and Germany ($17M). World exports came to about $210M, 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 railway ties (HS 440692)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440692 (the code used for treated railway ties) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($104M, 54% of world imports), Slovenia ($10M) and Croatia ($9.2M). World imports came to about $195M, 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 railway ties the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440692 for Treated railway ties 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 railway ties in Brazil?
In Brazil, treated railway ties (HS 440692) is classified under NCM 4406.92.00.