Product classification

HS code for Tropical wood 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 wood logs under HS 4403.49

Tropical wood logs are classified under HS code 4403.49. This heading covers wood in the rough, which refers to timber in its natural state after felling, often with the bark still attached or roughly squared to facilitate transport. Subheading 4403.49 is a residual category for other tropical woods, excluding specific high-volume species like Teak, Dark Red Meranti, or Light Red Meranti, which have their own dedicated subheadings within the 4403 group. The classification excludes wood that has been treated with paint, stains, creosote, or other preservatives, as those are classified under 4403.1x. This code is primarily used for raw material exports and is heavily scrutinized for compliance with international forestry laws and sustainability standards. The roughly squared provision allows for the removal of the outer layers of the log to make it more rectangular for shipping, but it must not be sawn into planks or boards, which would shift the classification to heading 4407. Proper identification of the species is critical, as many tropical logs are subject to export bans or strict quotas in their countries of origin.

Covers
  • Untreated tropical wood logs with bark
  • Roughly squared tropical timber (cants)
  • Tropical wood in the rough, stripped of sapwood
  • Roundwood of tropical species for industrial use
  • Logs of tropical wood intended for veneer production
Also under 4403.49
  • African Iroko logs
  • Brazilian Greenheart
  • Malaysian Keruing
  • Gabonese Wenge
  • Indonesian Merbau

Codes often confused with 4403.49

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 4407, which covers wood sawn or chipped lengthwise. If a log has been processed into boards or planks, even if they are rough, it moves from 4403 to 4407. Another common error involves HS code 4403.11 or 4403.12, which are for wood treated with preservatives. If the tropical log has been injected with chemicals to prevent rot or insect damage, it must be classified under the treated wood subheadings rather than 4403.49.

44.07Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm44.03Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared4403.11Wood; coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared; treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives4403.12Wood; non-coniferous species, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared; treated with paint, stains, creosote or other preservatives

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

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440349 (the code used for tropical wood 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 wood 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 wood logs

Brazil classifies tropical wood 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 wood logs

What is the HS code for Tropical wood logs?

The HS code for Tropical wood 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 wood in the rough (logs), excluding teak and meranti, is 4403.49.

How do I classify Tropical wood logs for customs?

Tropical wood 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.

Does this code include logs that have been squared?

Yes, as long as the squaring is rough and intended only to facilitate transport, it remains under 4403.49. If it is precisely sawn, it moves to 4407.

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

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440349 (the code used for tropical wood 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 wood logs (HS 440349)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 440349 (the code used for tropical wood 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 wood logs the same in all countries?

The base HS code 440349 for Tropical wood 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 wood logs in Brazil?

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