Product classification
HS code for Unvulcanized rubber sheets: 4005.91
Rubber, unvulcanised, (compounded other than with carbon black or silica), in plates, sheets and strip.
Classification of unvulcanized rubber sheets under HS 4005.91
HS code 4005.91 applies to unvulcanized compounded rubber presented in the form of plates, sheets, or strips. This classification is part of Chapter 40, which governs rubber products. Heading 4005 is specifically for compounded rubber that has not been vulcanized. The subheading 4005.91 is distinguished from other subheadings by two main factors: the physical shape (plates, sheets, or strips) and the absence of carbon black or silica. If the sheets contained carbon black or silica, they would be classified under 4005.10 regardless of their shape. These sheets are often used as raw materials for die-cutting or further molding into finished rubber parts. The material must be "compounded," meaning it contains additives like sulfur, pigments, or fillers, but it must remain in an unvulcanized state to qualify for this code. The thickness and width of the sheets can vary, but they must maintain a consistent geometric form to be excluded from the "primary forms" category.
- Covers
- Unvulcanized rubber plates (non-carbon black)
- Compounded rubber sheets for industrial gaskets
- Unvulcanized rubber strips in rolls
- Compounded rubber film (unvulcanized)
- Laminated unvulcanized rubber sheets
- Also under 4005.91
- Parker Hannifin custom rubber compounds
- Freudenberg Sealing Technologies raw materials
- Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics rubber sheets
- Trelleborg Industrial Solutions compounds
Codes often confused with 4005.91
Common mistake. The most frequent error is confusing this code with 4008.11 or 4008.21, which cover vulcanized rubber plates and sheets. If the rubber has undergone the vulcanization process, it is no longer eligible for heading 4005. Additionally, if the unvulcanized sheet contains carbon black or silica, it must be classified under 4005.10, as that subheading takes precedence over 4005.91.
Top exporters and importers of HS 400591 (the code used for unvulcanized rubber sheets), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 400591 (the code used for unvulcanized rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% 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 400591, not only unvulcanized rubber sheets.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $191M 16% of world exports
- 2 France $176M 15% of world exports
- 3 Czechia $100M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $185M 14% of world imports
- 2 Poland $128M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 United States $103M 7.8% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 codes for unvulcanized rubber sheets
Brazil splits HS 4005.91 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 4005.91.10Chewing gum base rubber in sheets or strip
- 4005.91.90Other compounded rubber plates, sheets, strip
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.
Questions about unvulcanized rubber sheets
What is the HS code for Unvulcanized rubber sheets?
The HS code for Unvulcanized rubber sheets is 400591 (Rubber; unvulcanised, (compounded other than with carbon black or silica), in plates, sheets and strip). The HS code for unvulcanized rubber sheets, plates, and strips (without carbon black or silica) is 4005.91.
How do I classify Unvulcanized rubber sheets for customs?
Unvulcanized rubber sheets is classified under HS code 400591 — Rubber; unvulcanised, (compounded other than with carbon black or silica), in plates, sheets and strip. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include adhesive-backed rubber?
If the rubber is unvulcanized and compounded, it may fall here, but if it is primarily an adhesive product, it might be classified under 3506.
Which countries are the top exporters of unvulcanized rubber sheets (HS 400591)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 400591 (the code used for unvulcanized rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($191M, 16% of world exports), France ($176M) and Czechia ($100M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 unvulcanized rubber sheets (HS 400591)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 400591 (the code used for unvulcanized rubber sheets) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($185M, 14% of world imports), Poland ($128M) and the United States ($103M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 Unvulcanized rubber sheets the same in all countries?
The base HS code 400591 for Unvulcanized rubber sheets 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 unvulcanized rubber sheets in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 400591 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for unvulcanized rubber sheets depends on the product's details: 4005.91.10 (Chewing gum base rubber in sheets or strip), 4005.91.90 (Other compounded rubber plates, sheets, strip).