Product classification
HS code for Untreated railway ties: 4406.12
Wood, railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, non-coniferous.
Classification of untreated railway ties under HS 4406.12
Untreated non-coniferous railway ties, also known as sleepers or cross-ties, are classified under HS code 4406.12. This classification is distinct from general logs because the wood has been specifically shaped or cut for use as supports for railway or tramway tracks. The heading 4406 is dedicated exclusively to railway or tramway sleepers of wood. The subheading 4406.12 specifies that the wood is non-coniferous (hardwood) and is "not impregnated." Impregnation refers to the deep-pressure treatment of wood with preservatives like creosote to prevent rot and insect damage. Since these ties are untreated, they are often shipped to facilities where they will later be treated before being laid in a track. The classification depends on the intended use and the physical form of the wood, which must be recognizable as a sleeper, typically having a rectangular or nearly rectangular cross-section.
- Covers
- Untreated oak railway sleepers
- Unimpregnated beech tramway ties
- Hardwood cross-ties for rail tracks
- Roughly sawn hardwood sleepers not yet treated
- Non-coniferous railway ties without chemical coating
- Also under 4406.12
- Railway contractors
- specialized timber merchants supplying heavy construction materials
Codes often confused with 4406.12
Common mistake. A common mistake is classifying these under 4406.92, which is the code for impregnated (treated) non-coniferous sleepers. Another error involves 4406.11, which is for untreated sleepers made from coniferous (softwood) species like pine or fir. Furthermore, if the wood is not yet shaped into a sleeper and is just a standard log, it might be incorrectly placed in 4403, but once it is cut to the dimensions of a tie, 4406 is the mandatory heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440612 (the code used for untreated railway ties), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440612 (the code used for untreated railway ties) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 30% 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 440612, not only untreated railway ties.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $28M 32% of world exports
- 2 France $18M 20% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $15M 17% of world exports
World total: $88M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $27M 30% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $13M 15% of world imports
- 3 Czechia $8.6M 9.5% of world imports
World total: $91M 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 untreated railway ties
Brazil classifies untreated railway ties under NCM 4406.12.00: HS 4406.12 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 untreated railway ties
What is the HS code for Untreated railway ties?
The HS code for Untreated railway ties is 440612 (Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, non-coniferous).
How do I classify Untreated railway ties for customs?
Untreated railway ties is classified under HS code 440612 — Wood; railway or tramway sleepers (cross-ties), not impregnated, non-coniferous. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for untreated hardwood railway ties?
The HS code for untreated (not impregnated) non-coniferous railway ties is 4406.12.
What is the difference between 4406.12 and 4406.92?
4406.12 is for ties that are not impregnated with preservatives, while 4406.92 is for ties that have been impregnated or treated.
Which countries are the top exporters of untreated railway ties (HS 440612)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440612 (the code used for untreated railway ties) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($28M, 32% of world exports), France ($18M) and Belgium ($15M). World exports came to about $88M, 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 untreated railway ties (HS 440612)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440612 (the code used for untreated railway ties) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($27M, 30% of world imports), Belgium ($13M) and Czechia ($8.6M). World imports came to about $91M, 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 Untreated railway ties the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440612 for Untreated 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 untreated railway ties in Brazil?
In Brazil, untreated railway ties (HS 440612) is classified under NCM 4406.12.00.