4008 29Select TARIC subcode
Other
Available TARIC subcodes: 2
Scope and classification criteria for subheading 400829
Subheading 400829 of the Combined Nomenclature covers rods, tubes and profiles of non-cellular vulcanised soft rubber, other than plates, sheets and strip (subheading 400821) and other than floor coverings and mats. Non-cellular rubber is vulcanised rubber with a solid, uniform structure free of porosity – it is distinguished from cellular rubber by the absence of a porous structure and a higher density, typically 1.1 to 1.8 g/cm3. Products covered by subheading 400829 are produced by extrusion or moulding and include: solid EPDM rubber profiles for window and curtain-wall sealing, NBR and SBR rubber tubes and hoses for technical conveying applications, rubber rods for machining (turning, drilling, cutting into washers), profiles for use as machine parts, guides and buffers, and extruded seal sections for industrial equipment. The decisive classification criteria are: (1) non-cellular structure (solid, not porous), (2) vulcanised (chemically crosslinked, not thermoplastic), (3) not ebonite (not hard rubber), and (4) the form of a rod, tube or profile rather than a plate, sheet or mat. Profiles of cellular rubber fall under subheading 400819, plates and sheets of non-cellular rubber fall under 400821, and articles of ebonite fall under heading 4017. The General Interpretive Rules and the notes to Chapter 40 govern classification.
EU import documentation and regulatory requirements
The import of non-cellular vulcanised rubber rods, tubes and profiles (CN 400829) into the EU is subject to the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013). The importer or their customs representative must lodge an import declaration with the appropriate 10-digit TARIC code and country of origin. Commercial documentation should include: an invoice with a technical description (elastomer type – NBR, EPDM, SBR, CR or NR; rubber type – non-cellular, soft vulcanised; cross-sectional dimensions and shape; Shore A hardness), a transport document (CMR or bill of lading), a weight and quantity specification, and a proof of origin (EUR.1 movement certificate, invoice declaration or REX registration) for preferential tariff rates under EU FTAs or GSP. Rubber articles are subject to REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006): key requirements include PAH restrictions under Annex XVII, Entry 50, for articles in contact with skin, and communication obligations for SVHC substances above 0.1% by weight. Seals and profiles used in machinery or industrial installations may need to comply with the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 or other product legislation depending on the intended end use. MFN tariff rates and applicable trade measures should be verified in the TARIC database on the European Commission website before each transaction.
Classification boundaries – key distinctions from adjacent codes
Correct classification under subheading 400829 requires careful distinction from several adjacent codes. Rods and profiles of cellular (foam) rubber are classified under subheading 400819, not 400829 – the determining criterion is the porosity of the internal structure. Plates, sheets and strip of non-cellular vulcanised rubber fall under subheading 400821, even if cut into short lengths – the planar, sheet-like form prevails over the shape of a cut segment. Rubber tubes and hoses that are reinforced (with textile or wire braid) or fitted with fittings may be classified under heading 4009 (flexible pipes and hoses for liquids and gases under pressure). The presence of reinforcement or end fittings and the designation for use under pressure are the key distinguishing features – unreinforced tubes supplied in metre lengths as semi-finished intermediates remain under 400829. Articles of hard rubber (ebonite – rubber vulcanised to a hardness exceeding approximately 55 Shore D) are classified under heading 4017, not 4008. Where classification is uncertain, a binding tariff information (BTI) ruling from the competent customs authority provides legal certainty for three years throughout the EU.
Frequently asked questions
When does a rubber tube fall under subheading 400829 rather than heading 4009?
The decisive factors are the presence of reinforcement, end fittings and suitability for use under pressure. Rubber tubes without textile or wire reinforcement, without metal or plastic end fittings, supplied in metre lengths as semi-finished intermediates, are classified under subheading 400829. Flexible rubber hoses reinforced with textile braid or wire and designed for conveying liquids or gases under pressure, or fitted with end fittings, fall under heading 4009. The producer's technical data sheet specifying working pressure, reinforcement type and end connections is the key document that enables customs authorities to classify the product correctly without delay.
Do rubber rods with a textile reinforcing insert still fall under subheading 400829?
Rubber rods incorporating a textile or cord reinforcing insert require an assessment of the essential character under the General Interpretive Rules (Rule 3b). If the rubber imparts the essential character of the article and the textile insert serves only a reinforcing function, the product may be classified under heading 4008, subheading 400829. If the textile component is dominant in terms of character and intended use, classification may fall under Chapter 59 (impregnated, coated or laminated technical textiles). Correct classification depends on the specific construction details and should be supported by the manufacturer's technical documentation. A BTI ruling is recommended where classification is uncertain.
How is soft vulcanised rubber (400829) distinguished from ebonite (heading 4017)?
Soft vulcanised rubber (400829) is an elastomer crosslinked with a moderate proportion of sulphur (typically 1 to 5 parts per hundred rubber – phr), characterised by flexibility, elastic recovery and Shore A hardness typically between 30 and 90. Ebonite (heading 4017) is hard rubber produced by intensive sulphur vulcanisation (30 to 50 phr sulphur), with a hardness exceeding approximately 55 Shore D, and physical properties resembling hard plastic rather than rubber. A technical data sheet specifying Shore A or D hardness, sulphur content and elastic behaviour is the key classification document. Laboratory confirmation can be obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) or hardness measurement to ISO 48-4.