Cork; articles of natural cork

HS v2022 Code: 4503

About cork; articles of natural cork

HS code 4503 covers a wide range of products made from natural cork. Cork is a versatile and renewable material derived from the bark of the cork oak tree, primarily grown in the Mediterranean region. The cork industry plays a significant role in the global economy, providing raw materials for various applications, including construction, insulation, and consumer goods. As an environmentally friendly and sustainable resource, the demand for cork products continues to grow, making this industry an important contributor to international trade and economic development.

Production process

The production of cork products typically involves a series of specialized processes. First, the cork bark is harvested from the cork oak trees, a process known as 'cork stripping' that is carried out every 9-12 years without harming the tree. The harvested cork is then boiled, cleaned, and sorted based on quality and thickness. Depending on the final product, the cork may be further processed through cutting, shaping, or agglomeration techniques to create a wide range of items, from bottle stoppers and insulation panels to decorative and functional articles.

Production inputs

The primary input for the cork industry is the raw cork bark harvested from cork oak trees. In addition to the natural cork, the production of cork products requires various tools and machinery, such as cutting and shaping equipment, boilers for processing, and adhesives or binders for agglomeration. The industry also relies on skilled labor, particularly for the manual tasks involved in harvesting, sorting, and crafting the cork into finished goods.

Production outputs

The cork industry produces a diverse range of outputs, including 4503 Cork; articles of natural cork, such as bottle stoppers, insulation materials, flooring, and decorative items. These cork-based products are widely used in industries like 2204 Wine, 6815 Non-metallic mineral products, and 9403 Furniture, among others. The versatility of cork and its environmental benefits have made it a popular choice for sustainable and eco-friendly applications across various sectors.

Family tree for cork; articles of natural cork

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/45'>45: Cork and articles of cork</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/4503'>4503: Cork; articles of natural cork</a>"]

    A --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/4501'>4501: Natural cork, raw or simply prepared; waste cork; crushed, granulated or ground cork</a>"]
A --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/4502'>4502: Natural cork, debacked or roughly squared, or in rectangular (including square) blocks, plates, sheets or strip, (including sharp-edged blanks for corks or stoppers)</a>"]
A --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/4504'>4504: Agglomerated cork (with or without a binding substance) and articles of agglomerated cork</a>"]

    B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/450310'>450310: Cork; corks and stoppers, of natural cork</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/450390'>450390: Cork; articles of natural cork other than corks and stoppers</a>"]


    %% Color coordination by level

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    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level4
class D level4
class E level4
class F level6
class G level6

  class B highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class B highlight