Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, reclaimed rubber, and various rubber products. This chapter is divided into multiple headings, ranging from raw rubber to semi-finished and finished products. Rubber products are classified under different headings based on their use, material, processing method, etc. This chapter does not include hard rubber (heading 4017) or certain specific rubber products such as tires (heading 4011), rubber tubes (heading 4009), etc. Heading 4016 covers other articles of vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber), including floor coverings and mats, wipers, and articles of vulcanized rubber in blocks, plates, sheets, or strips. This heading is a residual heading used to classify articles of vulcanized rubber not named under other headings. However, note that certain specific headings take precedence, such as rubber tires, rubber tubes, etc. The first 2 digits 40 represent Chapter 40, rubber and articles thereof; digits 3-4, 16, represent heading 4016, namely other articles of vulcanized rubber; digits 5-6, 91, represent subheading 401691, specifically floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber. This subheading is further subdivided into floor coverings with a backing of textile materials, etc. The overall code 401691 represents floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber. This product is floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber, belonging to articles of vulcanized rubber, and is not specifically named under other headings. Heading 4016 is the residual heading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, and subheading 401691 specifically covers floor coverings and mats. Therefore, it is classified under 401691, rather than the adjacent 401699 (other articles of vulcanized rubber) or 401610 (articles of cellular rubber), etc.
Chapter
Chapter 40 covers rubber and articles thereof, including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, reclaimed rubber, and various rubber products. This chapter is divided into multiple headings, ranging from raw rubber to semi-finished and finished products. Rubber products are classified under different headings based on their use, material, processing method, etc. This chapter does not include hard rubber (heading 4017) or certain specific rubber products such as tires (heading 4011), rubber tubes (heading 4009), etc.
Heading
Heading 4016 covers other articles of vulcanized rubber (other than hard rubber), including floor coverings and mats, wipers, and articles of vulcanized rubber in blocks, plates, sheets, or strips. This heading is a residual heading used to classify articles of vulcanized rubber not named under other headings. However, note that certain specific headings take precedence, such as rubber tires, rubber tubes, etc.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 40 represent Chapter 40, rubber and articles thereof; digits 3-4, 16, represent heading 4016, namely other articles of vulcanized rubber; digits 5-6, 91, represent subheading 401691, specifically floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber. This subheading is further subdivided into floor coverings with a backing of textile materials, etc. The overall code 401691 represents floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber.
Classification Basis
This product is floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber, belonging to articles of vulcanized rubber, and is not specifically named under other headings. Heading 4016 is the residual heading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, and subheading 401691 specifically covers floor coverings and mats. Therefore, it is classified under 401691, rather than the adjacent 401699 (other articles of vulcanized rubber) or 401610 (articles of cellular rubber), etc.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: Fill in the standard name of the commodity, such as "vulcanized rubber door mat" or "vulcanized rubber floor covering." Material: Indicate vulcanized rubber and state whether it contains a textile backing or other materials. Use: Explain the specific use, such as flooring, door mat, anti-slip, etc. Specifications and Dimensions: Fill in the product dimensions, such as length, width, thickness, etc. Brand: Fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in "none." Model: Fill in the product model; if no model, fill in "none." Processing Technique: Briefly describe the processing method, such as molding, extrusion, cutting, etc. Product Name: Vulcanized rubber door mat; Material: Vulcanized rubber (with polyester backing); Use: For anti-slip and dust removal at doorways; Specifications: 60cm×40cm×1.5cm; Brand: None; Model: None; Processing Technique: Molded. Mistakenly classifying non-vulcanized rubber products under this code, such as thermoplastic elastomers. Failure to distinguish whether there is a textile backing, which affects subheading subdivision. Mistakenly classifying hard rubber products (heading 4017) under this code.
Product Name
Fill in the standard name of the commodity, such as "vulcanized rubber door mat" or "vulcanized rubber floor covering."
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in as "rubber floor mat" without indicating vulcanized, or mistakenly writing as plastic products.
Material
Indicate vulcanized rubber and state whether it contains a textile backing or other materials.
⚠️ Writing only "rubber" without distinguishing vulcanized from non-vulcanized, or failing to specify the backing material.
Use
Explain the specific use, such as flooring, door mat, anti-slip, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too general, such as "household," without specifying flooring or door mat.
Specifications and Dimensions
Fill in the product dimensions, such as length, width, thickness, etc.
⚠️ Failure to provide dimensions or incorrect units, such as writing only "large size."
Brand
Fill in the brand name; if no brand, fill in "none."
⚠️ Confusing brand with trademark, or failing to fill in.
Model
Fill in the product model; if no model, fill in "none."
⚠️ Confusing model with specifications, or failing to fill in.
Processing Technique
Briefly describe the processing method, such as molding, extrusion, cutting, etc.
⚠️ Failure to specify the processing technique, or confusing it with the material.
Example： Product Name: Vulcanized rubber door mat; Material: Vulcanized rubber (with polyester backing); Use: For anti-slip and dust removal at doorways; Specifications: 60cm×40cm×1.5cm; Brand: None; Model: None; Processing Technique: Molded.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying non-vulcanized rubber products under this code, such as thermoplastic elastomers.
Failure to distinguish whether there is a textile backing, which affects subheading subdivision.
Mistakenly classifying hard rubber products (heading 4017) under this code.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1. Material is vulcanized rubber (not hard); 2. Use is floor coverings or mats; 3. Not specifically named under other headings. According to the Import and Export Tariff, heading 4016 is the residual heading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, and subheading 401691 explicitly includes floor coverings and mats. If there is a textile backing, it is still classified under this subheading, but note that if the textile material constitutes the essential character, it may be classified under Chapter 57. 401699 Other articles of vulcanized rubber: 401699 is the residual subheading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, excluding floor coverings and mats, which are specifically classified under 401691. 401610 Articles of cellular rubber: 401610 covers articles of cellular rubber (porous rubber); if the floor covering is made of cellular rubber, it may be classified under 401610 rather than 401691. 570500 Other floor coverings: Chapter 57 floor coverings mainly cover textile materials; if a rubber floor covering has a textile backing and the textile material constitutes the essential character, it may be classified under Chapter 57. 401700 Articles of hard rubber: 401700 covers hard rubber (such as hard rubber plates, tubes, etc.), while 401691 covers floor coverings of soft vulcanized rubber. Is the material vulcanized rubber? Is it a floor covering or mat? Does it have a textile backing? Does the textile material constitute the essential character? Is it cellular rubber? Is it hard rubber?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1. Material is vulcanized rubber (not hard); 2. Use is floor coverings or mats; 3. Not specifically named under other headings. According to the Import and Export Tariff, heading 4016 is the residual heading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, and subheading 401691 explicitly includes floor coverings and mats. If there is a textile backing, it is still classified under this subheading, but note that if the textile material constitutes the essential character, it may be classified under Chapter 57.
Confused Codes：
401699 - Other articles of vulcanized rubber
401699 is the residual subheading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, excluding floor coverings and mats, which are specifically classified under 401691.
401610 - Articles of cellular rubber
401610 covers articles of cellular rubber (porous rubber); if the floor covering is made of cellular rubber, it may be classified under 401610 rather than 401691.
570500 - Other floor coverings
Chapter 57 floor coverings mainly cover textile materials; if a rubber floor covering has a textile backing and the textile material constitutes the essential character, it may be classified under Chapter 57.
401700 - Articles of hard rubber
401700 covers hard rubber (such as hard rubber plates, tubes, etc.), while 401691 covers floor coverings of soft vulcanized rubber.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material vulcanized rubber?
✓ Is it a floor covering or mat?
✓ Does it have a textile backing? Does the textile material constitute the essential character?
✓ Is it cellular rubber?
✓ Is it hard rubber?
❓ FAQ
How to determine whether a rubber floor covering is classified under 401691? First confirm that the material is vulcanized rubber (not hard) and the use is flooring or door mat. If there is a textile backing, determine whether the textile material constitutes the essential character: if rubber plays the main role, it is still classified under 401691; if the textile material plays the main role, it is classified under Chapter 57. In addition, articles of cellular rubber should be classified under 401610. What is the difference between 401691 and 401699? 401691 specifically covers floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber, while 401699 is the residual subheading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, used to classify articles of vulcanized rubber not named under other subheadings. Therefore, floor coverings and mats must be classified under 401691 and cannot be classified under 401699. How to classify a vulcanized rubber door mat with a textile backing? According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System, if the textile backing only serves to reinforce or assist and rubber still constitutes the essential character, it is classified under 401691. If the textile material constitutes the essential character, it is classified under Chapter 57 floor coverings. It is recommended to refer to the Explanatory Notes or apply for advance classification. What are common errors in declaration elements for 401691? Common errors include: material written only as "rubber" without indicating vulcanized; use description not specific; failure to provide specifications and dimensions; brand and model not filled in; processing technique not specified. These may lead to classification disputes or customs clearance delays. How to check the tariff rate for 401691? Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or consult a customs broker. Usually, information such as HS code and country of origin must be entered. Note that free trade agreement rates may differ. Does 401691 apply to all rubber mats? No. It only applies to floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber. If it is a hard rubber product, it is classified under 401700; if it is a cellular rubber product, under 401610; if it is a plastic product, under Chapter 39. Therefore, it must be determined based on the specific material and process. For cross-border e-commerce sales of rubber door mats, how to choose the HS code? If the product is a door mat of vulcanized rubber, 401691 should be selected. Ensure the declaration information is accurate, including material, use, specifications, etc. If the product has a textile backing, confirm whether it affects classification. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker to avoid risks. How to distinguish 401691 from 570500? 401691 covers floor coverings of vulcanized rubber, while 570500 covers floor coverings of other textile materials. If the product is mainly rubber and the textile material is only a backing, it is classified under 401691; if it is mainly textile material, under 570500. The key is which material constitutes the essential character.
Q: How to determine whether a rubber floor covering is classified under 401691?
A: First confirm that the material is vulcanized rubber (not hard) and the use is flooring or door mat. If there is a textile backing, determine whether the textile material constitutes the essential character: if rubber plays the main role, it is still classified under 401691; if the textile material plays the main role, it is classified under Chapter 57. In addition, articles of cellular rubber should be classified under 401610.
Q: What is the difference between 401691 and 401699?
A: 401691 specifically covers floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber, while 401699 is the residual subheading for other articles of vulcanized rubber, used to classify articles of vulcanized rubber not named under other subheadings. Therefore, floor coverings and mats must be classified under 401691 and cannot be classified under 401699.
Q: How to classify a vulcanized rubber door mat with a textile backing?
A: According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System, if the textile backing only serves to reinforce or assist and rubber still constitutes the essential character, it is classified under 401691. If the textile material constitutes the essential character, it is classified under Chapter 57 floor coverings. It is recommended to refer to the Explanatory Notes or apply for advance classification.
Q: What are common errors in declaration elements for 401691?
A: Common errors include: material written only as "rubber" without indicating vulcanized; use description not specific; failure to provide specifications and dimensions; brand and model not filled in; processing technique not specified. These may lead to classification disputes or customs clearance delays.
Q: How to check the tariff rate for 401691?
A: Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or consult a customs broker. Usually, information such as HS code and country of origin must be entered. Note that free trade agreement rates may differ.
Q: Does 401691 apply to all rubber mats?
A: No. It only applies to floor coverings and mats of vulcanized rubber. If it is a hard rubber product, it is classified under 401700; if it is a cellular rubber product, under 401610; if it is a plastic product, under Chapter 39. Therefore, it must be determined based on the specific material and process.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of rubber door mats, how to choose the HS code?
A: If the product is a door mat of vulcanized rubber, 401691 should be selected. Ensure the declaration information is accurate, including material, use, specifications, etc. If the product has a textile backing, confirm whether it affects classification. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker to avoid risks.
Q: How to distinguish 401691 from 570500?
A: 401691 covers floor coverings of vulcanized rubber, while 570500 covers floor coverings of other textile materials. If the product is mainly rubber and the textile material is only a backing, it is classified under 401691; if it is mainly textile material, under 570500. The key is which material constitutes the essential character.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.