Product classification
HS code for Wood fuel chips: 4401.22
Wood, for fuel, in chips or particles, non-coniferous, whether or not agglomerated.
Classification of wood fuel chips under HS 4401.22
Wood fuel chips derived from non-coniferous (hardwood) species are classified under HS code 4401.22. This classification falls within heading 4401, which covers fuel wood, wood in chips or particles, and sawdust or wood waste. The subheading 4401.22 is specific to wood that has been mechanically reduced into small, relatively uniform pieces and is sourced from non-coniferous trees such as oak, beech, or maple. Classification is determined by GRI 1 and GRI 6, focusing on the botanical origin of the wood. These chips are primarily used as biomass fuel for industrial energy production or as raw material for the manufacture of particle board and fiberboard. It is important to note that the HS system distinguishes chips (4401.21/22) from wood waste (4401.31/39) based on the intentional processing into chip form. Even if the chips are intended for the pulp and paper industry, they are classified here because the heading covers wood in chips regardless of the final industrial application, provided they meet the physical description of the subheading.
- Covers
- Hardwood fuel chips
- Non-coniferous wood particles
- Oak and maple biomass chips
- Hardwood chips for particle board manufacturing
- Deciduous wood chips
- Also under 4401.22
- Biomass power plants using hardwood chips
- specific brands of industrial wood pellets made from non-coniferous chips
- agricultural waste wood chips
- wood chip-fired heating systems
Codes often confused with 4401.22
Common mistake. The most frequent error is misclassifying these under HS code 4401.21, which is reserved for coniferous (softwood) chips like pine or spruce. Another common mistake is using 4401.12, which is for non-coniferous fuel wood in the form of logs, billets, or twigs, rather than chips.
Top exporters and importers of HS 440122 (the code used for wood fuel chips), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 440122 (the code used for wood fuel chips) in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 60% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 53% 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 440122, not only wood fuel chips.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$2.9B 60% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Australia $597M 12% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $361M 7.4% of world exports
World total: $4.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $2.9B 53% of world imports
- 2 Japan $1.6B 30% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $251M 4.6% of world imports
World total: $5.4B 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 fuel chips
Brazil classifies wood fuel chips under NCM 4401.22.00: HS 4401.22 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 chips
What is the HS code for Wood fuel chips?
The HS code for Wood fuel chips is 440122 (Wood; for fuel, in chips or particles, non-coniferous, whether or not agglomerated). Non-coniferous wood fuel chips are classified under HS code 4401.22.
How do I classify Wood fuel chips for customs?
Wood fuel chips is classified under HS code 440122 — Wood; for fuel, in chips or particles, non-coniferous, whether or not agglomerated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 4401.21 and 4401.22?
4401.21 is for chips from coniferous (softwood) trees, while 4401.22 is for chips from non-coniferous (hardwood) trees.
Which countries are the top exporters of wood fuel chips (HS 440122)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 440122 (the code used for wood fuel chips) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $2.9B, 60% of world exports), Australia ($597M) and Thailand ($361M). World exports came to about $4.8B, 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 chips (HS 440122)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 440122 (the code used for wood fuel chips) in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.9B, 53% of world imports), Japan ($1.6B) and Indonesia ($251M). World imports came to about $5.4B, 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 fuel chips the same in all countries?
The base HS code 440122 for Wood fuel chips 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 chips in Brazil?
In Brazil, wood fuel chips (HS 440122) is classified under NCM 4401.22.00.