Product classification
HS code for Vulcanized rubber blocks: 4008.29
Rubber, vulcanised (other than hard rubber), non-cellular rubber, in forms other than plates, sheets or strip.
Classification of vulcanized rubber blocks under HS 4008.29
Vulcanized rubber blocks are classified under HS code 4008.29. This classification is based on Chapter 40 of the Harmonized System, which covers rubber and articles thereof. Heading 4008 specifically addresses plates, sheets, strip, rods, and profile shapes of vulcanized rubber other than hard rubber. The heading is divided into two main sections: cellular rubber (4008.11 and 4008.19) and non-cellular rubber (4008.21 and 4008.29). Since standard rubber blocks are typically solid and non-cellular, they fall into the second category. Subheading 4008.29 is a residual category for 'other' forms that are not plates, sheets, or strips. According to Note 9 to Chapter 40, plates, sheets, and strips must be of a regular shape and not further worked than surface-worked. Blocks, being three-dimensional shapes that do not meet the definition of a flat sheet or a thin strip, are classified as 'other' profile shapes or rods under 4008.29. The rubber must be vulcanized, meaning it has undergone a chemical process (usually involving sulfur) to improve its strength and temperature resistance. If the rubber were unvulcanized, it would be classified under heading 4005.
- Covers
- Solid vulcanized rubber blocks
- Extruded rubber profile shapes
- Vulcanized rubber rods
- Non-cellular rubber bars
- Semi-finished rubber components
- Industrial rubber buffers (unworked)
- Also under 4008.29
- Freudenberg Sealing Technologies moulded parts
- Continental ContiTech rubber profiles
- Gates industrial rubber components
- Rubber-Cal solid rubber cords
- custom automotive rubber parts.
Codes often confused with 4008.29
Common mistake. Vulcanized rubber blocks are often misclassified under HS code 4008.21, which is strictly for plates, sheets, and strip. If the block is thick and does not resemble a flat sheet, 4008.29 is more appropriate. Another common error is using 4016.99, which covers 'other articles of vulcanized rubber.' This heading is for finished products. If the block is a raw material or a semi-finished shape, 4008 is correct; if it is a finished part like a machine mount or a vehicle bumper, it belongs in 4016. Finally, cellular rubber blocks (foam rubber) must be classified under 4008.19, not 4008.29.
Top exporters and importers of HS 400829 (the code used for vulcanized rubber blocks), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 400829 (the code used for vulcanized rubber blocks) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% 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 400829, not only vulcanized rubber blocks.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $270M 21% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $167M 13% of world exports
- 3 France $131M 10% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $106M 12% of world imports
- 2 France $44M 4.8% of world imports
- 3 United States $43M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $907M 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 vulcanized rubber blocks
Brazil classifies vulcanized rubber blocks under NCM 4008.29.00: HS 4008.29 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.
Questions about vulcanized rubber blocks
What is the HS code for Vulcanized rubber blocks?
The HS code for Vulcanized rubber blocks is 400829 (Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), non-cellular rubber, in forms other than plates, sheets or strip). The HS code for non-cellular vulcanized rubber blocks is 4008.29.
How do I classify Vulcanized rubber blocks for customs?
Vulcanized rubber blocks is classified under HS code 400829 — Rubber; vulcanised (other than hard rubber), non-cellular rubber, in forms other than plates, sheets or strip. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I distinguish between 4008 and 4016?
Heading 4008 is for semi-finished forms like blocks, rods, and sheets, while heading 4016 is for finished articles made from vulcanized rubber.
Which countries are the top exporters of vulcanized rubber blocks (HS 400829)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 400829 (the code used for vulcanized rubber blocks) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($270M, 21% of world exports), Czechia ($167M) and France ($131M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of vulcanized rubber blocks (HS 400829)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 400829 (the code used for vulcanized rubber blocks) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($106M, 12% of world imports), France ($44M) and the United States ($43M). World imports came to about $907M, 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 Vulcanized rubber blocks the same in all countries?
The base HS code 400829 for Vulcanized rubber blocks 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 vulcanized rubber blocks in Brazil?
In Brazil, vulcanized rubber blocks (HS 400829) is classified under NCM 4008.29.00.