Charcoal from Wood
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4402200000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4402900100 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 4402100000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 2704000025 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 2704000011 | 10.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
π₯ Charcoal from Wood (Wood Charcoal)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Entry Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: Understanding "Wood Charcoal"
Wood charcoal, a carbonized solid fuel derived from wood or other plant materials, is primarily classified based on its raw material source (wood vs. bamboo) and physical form (lump, powder, briquettes). In international trade, it is critical to distinguish between wood-based charcoal and bamboo-based charcoal, as they fall under different sub-headings within Chapter 44.
β οΈ Key Distinction Point:
- Wood Charcoal: Derived from timber/wood residues. Falls under 4402.20 or 4402.90.
- Bamboo Charcoal: Derived from bamboo culms. Falls under 4402.10.
- Coal Coke/Charcoal: Derived from coal/mineral carbon. Falls under Chapter 27 (2704.00).
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Mapping)
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicable Scenario | Material Match |
|---|---|---|---|
4402.20.00.00 |
Wood Charcoal (Shell or Pit-charcoal) | Charcoal made from nut shells or fruit pits (classified under wood/vegetable origin in this context) | β Shell/Nut Charcoal |
4402.90.01.00 |
Wood Charcoal (Other) | Standard lump charcoal, briquettes, or powder made from general wood biomass | β Wood Material |
4402.10.00.00 |
Bamboo Charcoal | Charcoal specifically derived from bamboo | β Bamboo Material |
2704.00.00.25 |
Coke and Semi-Coke of Coal | Charcoal-like fuel made from coal (not wood) | β Coal Material |
2704.00.00.11 |
Coke and Semi-Coke of Coal | Other coal-derived carbonaceous material | β Coal Material |
π Key Reminder:
- Wood Charcoal MUST be classified under Chapter 44. Misclassifying wood charcoal as coal coke (Chapter 27) will lead to severe penalties and shipment delays.
- Bamboo Charcoal has its own specific sub-heading (4402.10). Do not mix it with wood charcoal in the same shipment without clear separation and labeling.
π° III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Additional Duties & Policy Surcharges)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: Post-2025/2026 Tariff Structure
π― 1. 4402.20.00.00 ββ Wood Charcoal (Shell/Nut) & 4402.90.01.00 ββ Wood Charcoal (Other)
Both wood-based charcoal categories share the same tariff structure due to the "Section 301" and "Section 122" policy overlaps.
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% (Ad Valorem) |
| Section 301 Additional Duty | +25.0% (From USITC Footnote 4) |
| Section 122 Duty | +10.0% (Under 19 U.S.C. Β§ 1677j) |
| Total Duty Rate | 35.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 35% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not Applicable (Denied for Section 301/122 goods) |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:4402.20.00.00 β FOOTNOTE:4 β IEEPA/SECTION_122 |
π Explanation:
- "Base Duty 0%": Wood charcoal is generally duty-free under normal MFN (Most Favored Nation) terms.
- "Section 301 +25%": Applied to all Chinese-origin wood charcoal as part of the broader trade war tariffs on Chinese goods.
- "Section 122 +10%": A lesser-known but critical surcharge under 19 U.S.C. Β§ 1677j, allowing the President to raise duties up to 15% if imports threaten to impair national security.
- Total 35%: This is a high tariff rate. Importers must factor this into their landed cost calculations.
π― 2. 4402.10.00.00 ββ Bamboo Charcoal
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% |
| Section 301 Additional Duty | +25.0% |
| Section 122 Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Duty Rate | 35.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 35% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not Applicable |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:4402.10.00.00 β FOOTNOTE:4 β SECTION_122 |
π Note:
- Bamboo charcoal is treated identically to wood charcoal in terms of tariff burden from China.
- Ensure your supplier declares the origin as Bamboo, not generic "Charcoal," to avoid misclassification audits.
π― 3. 2704.00.00.25 & 2704.00.00.11 ββ Coal Coke & Semi-Coke
If the product is NOT made from wood/bamboo but from coal, the classification shifts entirely to Chapter 27.
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Duty Rate | 0.0% |
| Section 301 Additional Duty | +0.0% (Note: Some coal products are exempt or have different rates, but based on DATA: 0%) |
| Section 122 Duty | +10.0% |
| Total Duty Rate | 10.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 10% |
| De Minimis Exemption | β Not Applicable |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:2704.00.00.25/11 β SECTION_122 |
π Critical Warning:
- Do NOT declare wood charcoal as coal coke to save 25%. Customs will inspect the material. If itβs wood, you will be assessed 35% + penalties for fraud.
- Coal coke has a lower total duty (10%) because it is not subject to the Section 301 25% surcharge in this specific dataset. However, misclassification is a serious offense.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Pitfall Avoidance Guide)
β 1. Required Documentation Checklist
| Document | Must Provide | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Specification Sheet | βοΈ | Clearly state: "Wood Charcoal" or "Bamboo Charcoal," form (lump/briquette/powder), and ash content. |
| β Material Composition Proof | βοΈ | Lab report or supplier declaration confirming wood/bamboo origin, NOT coal or mineral carbon. |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Must specify "HS Code: 4402.xxxxxxx" and "Country of Origin: China." |
| β Packing List | βοΈ | Detail weight, volume, and packaging type (e.g., 25kg bags, palletized). |
| β Phytosanitary Certificate | βοΈ | If required by specific states or for untreated biomass, though charcoal is usually exempt, some ports may request it. |
β 2. Declaration Best Practices
π₯ Golden Rule:
"Be Precise: Wood vs. Bamboo vs. Coal. Misclassification = 35% Surprise!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Wrong Action |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Lump Charcoal | HS 4402.90.01.00 |
Declare as 2704.00 (Coal Coke) β Fraud Risk |
| Bamboo Charcoal | HS 4402.10.00.00 |
Declare as 4402.90 (Wood) β Audit Risk |
| Coal Coke | HS 2704.00.00.25 |
Declare as 4402.90 (Wood) β Unnecessary 35% Tax |
| Mixed Shipment | Split Declaration | Mix wood and coal in one line item β Customs Hold |
β 3. Special Circumstances
| Scenario | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| OEM Private Label | Ensure the supplier provides a Certificate of Origin stating "China" to trigger the correct Section 301/122 rates. If re-exported from Vietnam, new rules apply. |
| Briquettes vs. Lump | Both fall under 4402.90.01.00. Ensure the description matches the form (e.g., "Wood Charcoal Briquettes"). |
| Import from Non-China Origin | If from Vietnam, Indonesia, etc., Section 301 (25%) and Section 122 (10%) do NOT apply. Duty may be 0% or lower. |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Duty Rate (China Origin) | Key Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 4402.90.01.00 (Wood) |
35% (0% Base + 25% Sec 301 + 10% Sec 122) | None specific | High tariff burden. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 4402.10 / 4402.90 |
0% (Most cases) | None | No Section 301 equivalent. |
| π¨π³ China | 4402.90 |
0% | FSC (if wood) | Export duty may apply. |
| π¬π§ UK | 4402.90 |
0% | None | Post-Brexit tariff alignment. |
π Conclusion:
- The US is the most expensive market for Chinese charcoal due to Section 301 and Section 122.
- Europe and UK are more favorable with 0% duty.
- Consider supply chain diversification (e.g., sourcing from Southeast Asia) to avoid US tariffs if targeting the American market.
π VI. Common Mistakes & Pitfalls (Blood & Tears Lessons)
β Mistake 1: Declaring Wood Charcoal as Coal Coke (2704) to save 25%.
π Consequence: Customs lab test reveals wood origin. 35% retroactive duty + fines + shipment seizure.
β Mistake 2: Ignoring Section 122 in cost calculations.
π Consequence: Budget for 25% only, but actual duty is 35%. Margin erosion.
β Mistake 3: Mixing Bamboo and Wood Charcoal in one shipment without separate line items.
π Consequence: Customs may assign the highest risk code or require full inspection of all goods.
β Correct Practice:
"Wood Charcoal, Lump Form, 100% Wood Origin, HS Code 4402.90.01.00, CIF Value $10,000."
π― VII. Conclusion: Precision in Classification Saves Money
π― Remember the Formula:
πΉ Wood/Bamboo Charcoal from China to US = 35% Duty
πΉ Coal Coke from China to US = 10% Duty
πΉ Never confuse Wood with Coal!
π Pro Tip:
If you are importing large volumes to the US, consider pre-classification rulings from CBP (Customs and Border Protection) to confirm your HS Code. Additionally, explore duty drawback programs if the charcoal is used in manufacturing and re-exported.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Consult a licensed customs broker.
π Verify your supplierβs origin documents.
π Calculate landed cost including 35% total duty for US imports.
β¨ Professional clearance starts with accurate classification!
πΌ Every percentage point matters in your profit margin!
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About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.