Articles of natural cork — HTS 4503
Articles of natural cork
Chapter 45 › Heading 4503
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 4503 is a four-digit product category for articles made of natural cork. It groups finished cork goods such as cork stoppers and other articles that are shaped or manufactured from natural cork, rather than raw cork material alone.
To reach the specific eight-digit HTSUS code, first confirm that the product is natural cork and belongs in heading 4503. Then narrow it by the article’s type, form, and intended function—for example, whether it is a stopper or another kind of cork article. The additional digits provide more detailed statistical classification, so the product’s construction and actual use must match the wording of the relevant subheading and statistical suffix.
What to check
- Confirm that the item is made from natural cork, not agglomerated or reconstituted cork, which may be classified elsewhere.
- Identify the product’s primary physical type and function, such as a stopper versus another finished cork article.
- Read all subheading and statistical-suffix descriptions under heading 4503; do not choose a code based only on a product name.
- Check whether coatings, fittings, attached materials, or a composite construction affect classification.
- Keep product specifications, photographs, component details, and intended-use information to support the classification; ask a customs broker or seek a formal ruling if the wording is unclear.
HTS heading 4503 summary
Articles of natural cork is a 4-digit product category containing 0 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.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 4503.10 | Corks and stoppers |
| 4503.90 | Other |
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 4503?
Articles of natural cork. 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.