Product classification
HS code for Wood charcoal: 4402.90
Wood, charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated.
Classification of wood charcoal under HS 4402.90
Wood charcoal is classified under HS code 4402.90 based on its production process and material origin. Chapter 44 of the Harmonized System covers wood and articles of wood, and heading 4402 is specifically dedicated to wood charcoal. This includes charcoal obtained by the carbonization of wood in the absence of air. The classification 4402.90 is a residual subheading for charcoal derived from wood species other than bamboo. The Harmonized System distinguishes between bamboo charcoal (4402.10) and other wood charcoal (4402.90). This classification applies regardless of whether the charcoal is in the form of blocks, sticks, granules, or powder, and whether or not it has been agglomerated with a binder like starch to form briquettes. The essential characteristic is the carbonized state of the wood material.
- Covers
- Lump wood charcoal
- Wood charcoal briquettes
- Carbonized wood fines
- Charcoal made from nut shells or fruit stones
- Oak, hickory, or mesquite charcoal
- Agglomerated charcoal for fuel
- Also under 4402.90
- Kingsford Original Charcoal
- Weber Briquettes
- Royal Oak Lump Charcoal
- Fogo Premium Hardwood Charcoal
- Big Green Egg Charcoal
Codes often confused with 4402.90
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 4401.31, which covers wood pellets. Unlike charcoal, wood pellets are made of compressed sawdust and have not undergone carbonization. Another common error is using 3802.10 for activated carbon. While both are carbon-based, activated carbon has undergone a specific chemical or physical treatment to increase its porosity for filtration purposes. Finally, bamboo charcoal must be classified under 4402.10, not 4402.90, as the HS system provides a specific carve-out for bamboo products.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440290 (the code used for wood charcoal), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440290 (the code used for wood charcoal) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 7.9% 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 440290, not only wood charcoal.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $147M 14% of world exports
- 2 Ukraine* ~$84M 7.9% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Vietnam* ~$75M 7.1% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $110M 7.9% of world imports
- 2 United States $105M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $92M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 wood charcoal
Brazil classifies wood charcoal under NCM 4402.90.00: HS 4402.90 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 wood charcoal
What is the HS code for Wood charcoal?
The HS code for Wood charcoal is 440290 (Wood; charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated). The HS code for wood charcoal (excluding bamboo) is 4402.90.
How do I classify Wood charcoal for customs?
Wood charcoal is classified under HS code 440290 — Wood; charcoal of wood other than bamboo, nut or shell, whether or not agglomerated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is charcoal for drawing classified here?
No, charcoal specifically prepared for drawing or artistic purposes is classified under HS code 9609.90 as a writing or drawing lead, rather than a fuel product.
Which countries are the top exporters of wood charcoal (HS 440290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440290 (the code used for wood charcoal) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($147M, 14% of world exports), Ukraine (about $84M) and Vietnam (about $75M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 wood charcoal (HS 440290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440290 (the code used for wood charcoal) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($110M, 7.9% of world imports), the United States ($105M) and South Korea ($92M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 Wood charcoal the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440290 for Wood charcoal 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 wood charcoal in Brazil?
In Brazil, wood charcoal (HS 440290) is classified under NCM 4402.90.00.