Product classification
HS code for Wood fuel: 4401.49
Wood, for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, not agglomerated and not including sawdust.
Classification of wood fuel under HS 4401.49
HS code 4401.49 is designated for wood waste and scrap that is intended for use as fuel but has not been agglomerated into specific shapes like pellets or briquettes. This classification is part of Chapter 44, which covers wood and articles of wood. Heading 4401 specifically addresses fuel wood in various forms, including logs, billets, and twigs, as well as wood waste and scrap. Subheading 4401.49 is a residual category within the "wood waste and scrap" group, excluding sawdust (which is classified under 4401.41). This code typically applies to wood chips, shavings, and broken pieces of wood that are by-products of timber milling or woodworking. To qualify for this code, the material must not have undergone a process of agglomeration, such as being pressed into a uniform shape with or without a binder. The classification relies on the physical state of the wood and its intended use as a fuel source. It is important to note that if the wood waste is intended for the manufacture of paper pulp or fiberboard, it may be classified elsewhere, but when presented as fuel, 4401.49 is the appropriate designation for non-sawdust waste.
- Covers
- Non-agglomerated wood waste for fuel
- Mixed wood scrap and timber offcuts
- Wood shavings not intended for animal bedding
- Broken wooden pallets intended for fuel recovery
- Also under 4401.49
- Valmet (biomass energy solutions)
- Georgia-Pacific (wood products)
- West Fraser Timber (lumber byproducts)
- Stora Enso (biomaterials)
Codes often confused with 4401.49
Common mistake. This code is often confused with HS code 4401.31, which is specifically for wood pellets, or 4401.39, which covers other agglomerated wood waste like briquettes. The primary distinction is the lack of agglomeration in 4401.49. Additionally, sawdust must be classified under 4401.41; 4401.49 is only for wood waste other than sawdust. Importers must ensure the material is not "continuously shaped" wood, which would fall under 4409.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440149 (the code used for wood fuel), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440149 (the code used for wood fuel) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Austria, with 16% 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 440149, not only wood fuel.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $40M 14% of world exports
- 2 Canada $29M 10% of world exports
- 3 France $26M 9.3% of world exports
World total: $283M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Austria $60M 16% of world imports
- 2 Germany $57M 15% of world imports
- 3 Sweden $39M 10% of world imports
World total: $373M 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 wood fuel
Brazil classifies wood fuel under NCM 4401.49.00: HS 4401.49 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 wood fuel
What is the HS code for Wood fuel?
The HS code for Wood fuel is 440149 (Wood; for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, not agglomerated and not including sawdust). Wood fuel in the form of non-agglomerated waste and scrap (excluding sawdust) is classified under HS code 4401.49.
How do I classify Wood fuel for customs?
Wood fuel is classified under HS code 440149 — Wood; for fuel, sawdust and wood waste and scrap, not agglomerated and not including sawdust. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can wood chips be classified under this code?
Yes, wood chips intended for fuel use that are not agglomerated can be classified under 4401.49, though they may also fall under 4401.21 or 4401.22 depending on the wood species and specific processing.
Which countries are the top exporters of wood fuel (HS 440149)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440149 (the code used for wood fuel) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($40M, 14% of world exports), Canada ($29M) and France ($26M). World exports came to about $283M, 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 fuel (HS 440149)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440149 (the code used for wood fuel) in UN Comtrade data were Austria ($60M, 16% of world imports), Germany ($57M) and Sweden ($39M). World imports came to about $373M, 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 fuel the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440149 for Wood fuel 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 fuel in Brazil?
In Brazil, wood fuel (HS 440149) is classified under NCM 4401.49.00.