Subheading · Chapter 45 · Heading 4503

4503.90

4503.90: Articles of natural cork: other

Official description Other

4503.90 is a six-digit subheading of heading 4503, articles of natural cork, chapter 45.

What you pay

Importing into UK

Customs duty Free standard rate depends on the country of origin
Additional duties and charges 1 additional measure Import requirements: 1
VAT 20.00 % import VAT
Duty calculatorCalculate duty and taxes →

Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff

UK lines →
  1. 4503 90 00 00 Other Free

Additional duties and import rules

Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.

Additional duties and charges 1

  • Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
    Applies to goods from
    all countries
    Legal act
    2020 No. 1431
    Documents
    • C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)

Import requirements 1

  • Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
    Applies to goods from
    Ukraine
    Legal act
    S.I. 2022/395
    Documents
    • 9009
    • 9010
    • 9017

Preferential rates by country

Agreement or schemeCountriesRate
standard rate (no agreement)—Free
DCTS Comprehensive
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 more

Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia

Free
European Union (including code "EU")
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia and 23 more

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Free
DCTS Enhanced
Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 more

Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu

Free
CARIFORUM
Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 more

Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago

Free
OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories)
Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 more

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands

Free
Central America Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama Free
SADC EPA Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia Free
Eastern and Southern Africa States Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe Free
CPTPP Brunei, Malaysia Free
UK–Andorra agreement Andorra Free
UK–Albania agreement Albania Free
UK–Australia agreement Australia Free
UK–Canada agreement Canada Free
UK–Switzerland agreement Switzerland Free
UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement Côte d’Ivoire Free
UK–Chile agreement Chile Free
UK–Cameroon agreement Cameroon Free
UK–Colombia agreement Colombia Free
UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement Ceuta & Melilla Free
UK–Ecuador agreement Ecuador Free
UK–Egypt agreement Egypt Free
UK–Fiji agreement Fiji Free
UK–Faroe Islands agreement Faroe Islands Free
UK–Georgia agreement Georgia Free
UK–Ghana agreement Ghana Free
DCTS Standard Indonesia Free
UK–Israel agreement Israel Free
UK–India agreement India Free
UK–Iceland agreement Iceland Free
UK–Jordan agreement Jordan Free
UK–Japan agreement Japan Free
UK–Kenya agreement Kenya Free
UK–South Korea agreement South Korea Free
UK–Lebanon agreement Lebanon Free
UK–Liechtenstein agreement Liechtenstein Free
UK–Morocco agreement Morocco Free
UK–Moldova agreement Moldova Free
UK–North Macedonia agreement North Macedonia Free
UK–Mexico agreement Mexico Free
UK–Norway agreement Norway Free
UK–New Zealand agreement New Zealand Free
UK–Peru agreement Peru Free
UK–Papua New Guinea agreement Papua New Guinea Free
UK–Palestinian Territories agreement Palestinian Territories Free
UK–Serbia agreement Serbia Free
UK–Solomon Islands agreement Solomon Islands Free
UK–Singapore agreement Singapore Free
UK–San Marino agreement San Marino Free
UK–Tunisia agreement Tunisia Free
UK–Türkiye agreement Türkiye Free
UK–Ukraine agreement Ukraine Free
UK–Vietnam agreement Vietnam Free
UK–Samoa agreement Samoa Free
UK–Kosovo agreement Kosovo Free
UK–South Africa agreement South Africa Free

UK: imports by month

last 12 months£1.3m-4.2% · previous 12 months
Average import price£5.16 per kg
Jan 2024: £92kFeb 2024: £97kMar 2024: £86kApr 2024: £126kMay 2024: £94kJun 2024: £85kJul 2024: £182kAug 2024: £68kSept 2024: £168kOct 2024: £123kNov 2024: £155kDec 2024: £134kJan 2025: £103kFeb 2025: £109kMar 2025: £87kApr 2025: £113kMay 2025: £126kJun 2025: £74kJul 2025: £81kAug 2025: £130kSept 2025: £69kOct 2025: £130kNov 2025: £77kDec 2025: £147kJan 2026: £144kFeb 2026: £43kMar 2026: £99kApr 2026: £82kMay 2026: £68kJun 2026: £58kJul 2026: £139kAug 2026: £287k 202420252026
Data up to August 2026 (provisional) · Monthly data: Eurostat Comext (CC BY 4.0), HMRC (OGL v3.0)

Main suppliers, last 12 months

CountryValueShareChange
China £696k 51.8% -10.6%
Portugal £326k 24.3% +6.5%
Spain £254k 18.9% +38.3%
Japan £48k 3.6% —
United States £5k 0.4% +74.4%
Germany £3k 0.2% -97.1%
Greece £3k 0.2% —
Poland £2k 0.2% -83.7%

Same subheading in other tariffs

World trade in 2024

4503.90 · US$51m

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$32kUS$32k+US$232k+US$1m+> US$7m

Exports: 99
  1. China: US$13m
  2. Portugal: US$9m
  3. Germany: US$7m
  4. Spain: US$4m
  5. Saudi Arabia: US$2m
  6. Algeria: US$1m
  7. United States: US$1m
  8. United Arab Emirates: US$1m
  9. France: US$1m
  10. Tunisia: US$1m
  11. Italy: US$925k
  12. Poland: US$847k
  13. United Kingdom: US$767k
  14. Morocco: US$744k
  15. Japan: US$643k
  16. Belgium: US$516k
  17. Denmark: US$437k
  18. Netherlands: US$413k
  19. Sweden: US$404k
  20. Czechia: US$392k
  21. Taiwan: US$298k
  22. Egypt: US$251k
  23. Türkiye: US$250k
  24. Canada: US$232k
  25. South Korea: US$215k
  26. India: US$208k
  27. Switzerland: US$196k
  28. Hungary: US$177k
  29. Lithuania: US$173k
  30. Brazil: US$171k
  31. Austria: US$148k
  32. Hong Kong SAR China: US$135k
  33. Australia: US$115k
  34. Finland: US$114k
  35. Bahrain: US$112k
  36. Mexico: US$105k
  37. Slovenia: US$75k
  38. Malaysia: US$71k
  39. Slovakia: US$68k
  40. Romania: US$67k
  41. Oman: US$63k
  42. South Africa: US$58k
  43. Bulgaria: US$48k
  44. Greece: US$46k
  45. Chile: US$41k
  46. Indonesia: US$37k
  47. Singapore: US$33k
  48. Panama: US$32k
  49. Vietnam: US$31k
  50. Estonia: US$26k
  51. Qatar: US$24k
  52. Côte d’Ivoire: US$20k
  53. Thailand: US$20k
  54. New Zealand: US$19k
  55. Aruba: US$19k
  56. Croatia: US$19k
  57. Norway: US$18k
  58. Mauritius: US$17k
  59. Ireland: US$17k
  60. Cambodia: US$14k

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 China US$13m 25.1%
2 Portugal US$9m 17.4%
3 Germany US$7m 13.4%
4 Spain US$4m 8.7%
5 Saudi Arabia US$2m 3.1%
6 Algeria US$1m 2.9%
7 United States US$1m 2.8%
8 United Arab Emirates US$1m 2.7%
9 France US$1m 2.3%
10 Tunisia US$1m 2.2%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 Saudi Arabia US$16m 31.4%
2 Portugal US$3m 6.8%
3 Italy US$3m 6.2%
4 China US$3m 6%
5 United States US$2m 4.2%
6 Germany US$2m 3.7%
7 United Kingdom US$2m 3.4%
8 Yemen US$1m 2.8%
9 Canada US$1m 2.6%
10 France US$1m 2%

Import duty on this product around the world 165

The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty each country applies to goods of this HS subheading: the average over its national tariff lines, with the lowest and highest line where they differ. Goods from countries with a trade agreement often pay less.

  • 8.8%median duty
  • 34number of duty-free countries (MFN)
  • 45%highest: Bahamas, Morocco, Zambia

165

Importing countryMFN dutylines from – todata year
Afghanistan 1% 2018 · HS 2012
Albania 2% 2023
Algeria 30% 2023
Angola 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Anguilla 10% 2021 · HS 2017
Antigua & Barbuda 10% 0% – 20% 2021 · HS 2007
Argentina 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Armenia 5% 2023
Aruba 17% 12% – 22% 2021 · HS 2012
Australia 0% 2023
Azerbaijan 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Bahamas 45% 2022
Bahrain 5% 2023
Bangladesh 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Barbados 10% 0% – 20% 2022 · HS 2017
Belarus 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Belize 10% 0% – 20% 2023
Benin 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Bermuda 25% 2023
Bhutan 10% 2022
Bolivia 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Bosnia & Herzegovina 5% 2022
Botswana 0% 2023
Brazil 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Brunei 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Burkina Faso 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Burundi 10% 2023
Cambodia 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Cameroon 10% 2023
Canada 0% 2023
Cape Verde 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Cayman Islands 22% 2021 · HS 2002
Central African Republic 10% 2023
Chad 10% 2023
Chile 6% 2023 · HS 2017
China 8% 2023
Colombia 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Comoros 20% 2021 · HS 2017
Congo - Brazzaville 10% 2023
Cook Islands 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Costa Rica 0% 2023
Côte d’Ivoire 13% 5% – 20% 2023 · HS 2017
Cuba 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominica 10% 0% – 20% 2023 · HS 2017
Dominican Republic 8% 2023
Ecuador 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Egypt 5% 2019 · HS 2017
El Salvador 0% 2022
Equatorial Guinea 10% 2023
Eswatini 0% 2023
Ethiopia 13% 5% – 20% 2021 · HS 2017
European Union (27 countries) 4.7% 2023
Fiji 5% 2023
French Polynesia 13% 2023
Gabon 10% 2023
Gambia 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Georgia 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Ghana 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Gibraltar 12% 2023 · HS 2017
Grenada 10% 0% – 20% 2023 · HS 2012
Guatemala 0% 2023
Guinea 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Guinea-Bissau 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Guyana 10% 0% – 20% 2023 · HS 2017
Haiti 5% 2020 · HS 2017
Honduras 0% 2023
Hong Kong SAR China 0% 2023
Iceland 0% 2023
India 10% 2023
Indonesia 5% 2023
Iran 5% 2020 · HS 2017
Israel 0% 2022 · HS 2017
Jamaica 10% 0% – 20% 2023
Japan 0% 2023
Jordan 2.5% 0% – 5% 2023
Kazakhstan 5% 2023
Kenya 10% 2023
Kiribati 25% 2023 · HS 2002
Kuwait 5% 2023
Kyrgyzstan 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Laos 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Lebanon 5% 2020 · HS 2017
Lesotho 0% 2023
Liberia 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Libya 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Liechtenstein 5.8%* 2021 · HS 2017
Macao SAR China 0% 2023
Madagascar 15% 10% – 20% 2023
Malawi 12% 0% – 25% 2021 · HS 2017
Malaysia 5% 2023
Maldives 15% 2023
Mali 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Mauritania 13% 5% – 20% 2023 · HS 2017
Mauritius 0% 2023
Mexico 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Micronesia 4% 2021 · HS 2017
Moldova 5% 2023 · HS 2017
Mongolia 5% 2023
Montserrat 10% 0% – 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Morocco 40% 2023
Mozambique 7.5% 2023
Myanmar (Burma) 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Namibia 0% 2023
Nauru 10% 2021 · HS 2017
Nepal 15% 2023
New Zealand 0% 2023
Nicaragua 0% 2023
Niger 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Nigeria 13% 5% – 20% 2023
North Macedonia 13% 2023
Norway 0% 2023
Oman 5% 2023
Pakistan 11% 2023
Palau 3% 2023 · HS 2012
Palestinian Territories 0% 2017 · HS 2017
Panama 10% 5% – 15% 2023
Papua New Guinea 0% 2023
Paraguay 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Peru 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Philippines 1% 2023
Qatar 5% 2023
Russia 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Rwanda 10% 2023
Samoa 8% 2020 · HS 2017
São Tomé & Príncipe 20% 2019 · HS 2017
Saudi Arabia 5% 2023
Senegal 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Seychelles 0% 2023
Sierra Leone 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Singapore 0% 2023 · HS 2017
Solomon Islands 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Somalia 15% 2023 · HS 2017
South Africa 0% 2023
South Korea 8% 2023
Sri Lanka 15% 2023
St Kitts & Nevis 11% 0% – 25% 2023
St Lucia 8.8% 0% – 20% 2023 · HS 2012
St Pierre & Miquelon 6% 2021 · HS 2017
St Vincent & the Grenadines 10% 0% – 20% 2023
Sudan 25% 2021 · HS 2017
Suriname 10% 0% – 20% 2023 · HS 2007
Switzerland 2.6%* 2023
Syria 10% 2020 · HS 2012
Tajikistan 5% 2021 · HS 2012
Tanzania 10% 2023
Thailand 10% 2023
Togo 13% 5% – 20% 2023
Tonga 15% 2023 · HS 2017
Trinidad & Tobago 8.8% 0% – 20% 2023 · HS 2012
Türkiye 4.7% 2023
Tuvalu 19% 2017 · HS 2017
Uganda 10% 2023
Ukraine 5% 2023 · HS 2017
United Arab Emirates 5% 2023
United Kingdom 0% 2023
United States 4.7% 0% – 14% 2023
Uruguay 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Uzbekistan 5% 2021 · HS 2017
Vanuatu 0% 2023
Venezuela 10% 2023 · HS 2017
Vietnam 20% 2023
Wallis & Futuna 6% 2021 · HS 2012
Yemen 5% 2017 · HS 2017
Zambia 40% 2023
Zimbabwe 0.1% 2023

Tariff data years 2017–2023; rates may have changed since. * ad valorem equivalent of specific duties (UNCTAD estimate) · UNCTAD TRAINS, accessed via WITS (World Bank)

Classifications and correspondences

Where this HS subheading sits in the United Nations' statistical classifications, and which codes it had in earlier editions of the Harmonized System.

SITC Rev. 4
63319 Articles of natural cork, other than corks/stoppers
End use (BEC Rev. 5)
Intermediate goods · BEC 311210
CPC 2.1 product
31922 Articles of natural cork; agglomerated cork and articles thereof
ISIC Rev. 4 activity
1629 Manufacture of other products of wood; manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materials

Earlier HS editions

HSCode
20174503.90unchanged
20124503.90unchanged
20074503.90unchanged
20024503.90unchanged
19964503.90unchanged
19924503.90unchanged

Correspondence tables of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)

Binding rulings for similar goods 4

Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.

  • H333562 U.S. CBP 11 January 2024 · 4503.90.60.00

    Tariff classification of cork tackle gear

  • H297792 U.S. CBP 4 March 2021 · 4503.90.60.00

    Internal Advice Request; Classification of Cork Flooring

  • N289996 U.S. CBP 6 October 2017 · 4503.90.60.00

    The classification of an interchangeable cork purse flap from China

  • N289697 U.S. CBP 18 September 2017 · 4503.90.60.00

    The classification of backed cork sheet from China

Recent rule changes mentioning this code

Acts whose text cites this code or its heading. Check the act itself: a code can be cited for reasons other than a change of its duty.

  1. EU Tariff change · Applies from:

    Regulation (EU) 2026/1395 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2026 on applying a generalised scheme of tariff preferences and repealing Regulation (EU) No 978/2012

    CELEX 32026R1395 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu

  2. GB Sanctions · Applies from:

    The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

    S.I. 2026/543 · Source: legislation.gov.uk

Rule changes →

Subheading 4503.90 is a single line in the UK Global Tariff, where the duty is duty-free.

The EU Combined Nomenclature has one tariff line for subheading 4503.90; the duty is 4.7%.

Goods from 174 countries can enter the UK at a preferential rate instead of the standard Free; 174 of them pay no duty at all, for example under DCTS Comprehensive or European Union.

In the 12 months to August 2026, the UK imported these goods worth £1.3m (down 4% on the year before), at an average of £5.16 per kg; China supplied 52%, followed by Portugal.

World trade in these goods reached US$51m in 2024, down 44.5% on 2023.

China was the largest exporter with 25.1% of the total, ahead of Portugal.

Products classified here

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for articles of natural cork: other?

Articles of natural cork: other fall under HS subheading 4503.90, part of heading 4503, in section IX of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on articles of natural cork: other in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 4503.90 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

What is the import duty on articles of natural cork: other in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 4503.90 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 4.7%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

Which country exports the most articles of natural cork: other?

China, with US$13m in 2024 (25.1% of world exports).

Which countries can export these goods to the UK duty-free?

174 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of Free applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.

Where does the UK import these goods from?

In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were China (52%), Portugal (24%) and Spain (19%), out of total imports of £1.3m.

Download as CSV Follow changes (RSS)

Typical products

Everyday names, not part of the legal text.