Product classification

HS code for Tropical hardwood logs: 4403.49

Wood, tropical, other than dark red meranti, light red meranti meranti bakau and teak, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated.

Classification of tropical hardwood logs under HS 4403.49

Tropical hardwood logs are classified under HS code 4403.49 as wood in the rough. This heading is designated for timber in its natural state after felling, which may have undergone minimal processing such as the removal of bark (debarking) or the removal of sapwood. The classification also includes logs that have been roughly squared for transport purposes, provided they have not yet been sawn into planks or boards. Subheading 4403.49 is a residual category for tropical woods that are not specifically named in other subheadings of 4403, such as Teak or Dark Red Meranti. The classification is determined by the botanical origin of the wood and its lack of significant industrial processing. It is essential that the wood is untreated with paint, stains, or preservatives; otherwise, it would fall under a different subheading within the 4403 group.

Covers
  • Untreated tropical hardwood logs with bark
  • Debarked tropical timber in the rough
  • Roughly squared tropical logs (cant)
  • Tropical wood poles and pilings in the rough
  • Round timber from tropical species not elsewhere specified
Also under 4403.49
  • African Iroko logs
  • Brazilian Greenheart
  • Malaysian Keruing
  • Gabonese Wenge
  • Indonesian Merbau

Codes often confused with 4403.49

Common mistake. Tropical hardwood logs are often misclassified under 4403.12 if they have been treated with preservatives like creosote. Furthermore, specific tropical species have their own codes: Teak is 4403.42 and Dark Red Meranti is 4403.41. If the log has been sawn lengthwise into a thickness exceeding 6mm, it must be moved to heading 4407. Confusion also arises with 4404, which is reserved for hoopwood or split poles, whereas 4403.49 covers the raw log form intended for further milling.

4403.41Wood, tropical; as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated4403.12Wood; non-coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared; treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives4403.42Wood, tropical; teak, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated44.07Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm44.04Hoopwood; split poles; piles, pickets, stakes of wood, pointed, not sawn lengthwise; wooden sticks, roughly trimmed, not turned, bent, etc., suitable for walking sticks, umbrellas, tool handles, etc.

Top exporters and importers of HS 440349 (the code used for tropical hardwood logs), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440349 (the code used for tropical hardwood logs) in UN Comtrade data was Papua New Guinea, with about 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 92% 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 440349, not only tropical hardwood logs.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Papua New Guinea* ~$316M
  2. 2 Solomon Islands* ~$147M
  3. 3 Congo* ~$102M

World total: $899M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $865M
  2. 2 Japan $9.8M
  3. 3 France $7.8M

World total: $942M 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 tropical hardwood logs

Brazil classifies tropical hardwood logs under NCM 4403.49.00: HS 4403.49 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 tropical hardwood logs

What is the HS code for Tropical hardwood logs?

The HS code for Tropical hardwood logs is 440349 (Wood, tropical; other than dark red meranti, light red meranti meranti bakau and teak, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated). The HS code for tropical hardwood logs (other than teak or meranti) in the rough and untreated is 4403.49.

How do I classify Tropical hardwood logs for customs?

Tropical hardwood logs is classified under HS code 440349 — Wood, tropical; other than dark red meranti, light red meranti meranti bakau and teak, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are roughly squared logs included in this classification?

Yes, logs that are roughly squared to facilitate transport but are not yet finished lumber are included under HS code 4403.49.

Which countries are the top exporters of tropical hardwood logs (HS 440349)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440349 (the code used for tropical hardwood logs) in UN Comtrade data were Papua New Guinea (about $316M, 35% of world exports), the Solomon Islands (about $147M) and Congo (about $102M). World exports came to about $899M, 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 tropical hardwood logs (HS 440349)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 440349 (the code used for tropical hardwood logs) in UN Comtrade data were China ($865M, 92% of world imports), Japan ($9.8M) and France ($7.8M). World imports came to about $942M, 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 Tropical hardwood logs the same in all countries?

The base HS code 440349 for Tropical 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 tropical hardwood logs in Brazil?

In Brazil, tropical hardwood logs (HS 440349) is classified under NCM 4403.49.00.