Natural rubber — HTS 4001
Natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle and similar natural gums, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip
Chapter 40 › Heading 4001
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 4001 is a four-digit product category for certain natural rubber and related natural gums. It groups materials such as natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle, and similar natural gums when they are presented in primary forms or as plates, sheets, or strip. “Primary forms” generally means the material has not been made into a finished consumer or industrial article, although it may have undergone preparation allowed by the tariff structure.
To reach the specific eight-digit HTSUS code, start with the product’s actual material and then examine its form, processing, and any stated technical characteristics. The lower-level provisions commonly distinguish among types of natural material and presentation, so do not classify a finished item made from natural rubber in heading 4001 merely because it contains natural rubber. Confirm the complete tariff description, legal notes, and any relevant statistical distinctions in the current HTSUS; uncertain classifications may require a customs broker or a binding ruling from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
What to check
- Identify the actual substance: natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle, or another natural gum.
- Confirm that the merchandise is in a qualifying primary form, plate, sheet, or strip rather than a finished rubber article.
- Document the material’s processing, composition, and physical form, including whether it is compounded, vulcanized, laminated, or otherwise worked.
- Read every eight-digit option under heading 4001 and match the product to the most specific material and presentation description.
- Check the current HTSUS notes, statistical reporting requirements, and any applicable CBP rulings before filing the entry.
HTS heading 4001 summary
Natural rubber is a 4-digit product category containing 2 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4001.10.00.00 👉 | Natural rubber latex, whether or not pre-vulcanized | Free | — | Free |
| 4001.30.00 👉 | Balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle and similar natural gums | Free | — | Free |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 4001?
Natural rubber, balata, gutta-percha, guayule, chicle and similar natural gums, in primary forms or in plates, sheets or strip. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.