HS Code 4501
Natural Cork and Cork Waste
HS code 4501 covers raw or simply prepared natural cork, waste cork, and crushed, granulated, or ground cork used for building insulation or manufacturing.
4-digit Section IXBulk
HS Code 4501 — Natural Cork and Cork Waste
This code covers raw, unprocessed cork straight from the tree, or cork that has been cleaned and roughly prepared. It also includes waste materials like cork shavings or dust used in manufacturing.
What's included
- Raw cork bark
- Cork waste
- Granulated cork
- Ground cork
- Cleaned cork strips
What's excluded
- Agglomerated cork → use
4504(Cork bonded with glue/binders is classified separately.)
Common examples
- Raw cork bark harvested from trees
- Crushed cork for insulation
- Cork shavings for industrial use
- Granulated cork for sports flooring
Frequently asked questions
What is 'simply prepared' cork?
It means the cork has undergone basic cleaning, flattening, or removal of the outer crust without any chemical bonding or intensive manufacturing.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 0%
- Documentation: Generally very low or zero duty; phytosanitary certificates may be needed for raw bark.
- Typical shipping mode: Bulk
- Top exporters: Portugal, Spain, Morocco
- Top importers: USA, France, Germany
Related HS codes
Key takeaway
Foundational raw material for the cork industry, dominated by Mediterranean exporters.
Related HS codes
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