HS Code:
Ash (Fraxinus spp.) falls under the category of hardwood timber and wood products, often classified under HS Code 4407 (Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled) or more specifically under HS Code 440799 (Other wood, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6 mm). Ash wood is highly valued for its strength, flexibility, and aesthetic grain, making it a preferred material for furniture, flooring, tool handles, and sports equipment like baseball bats. Global trade in ash wood has been influenced by environmental factors, including the spread of the emerald ash borer, a destructive pest affecting ash trees primarily in North America and parts of Europe.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $500 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
International Trade Centre (ITC) Trade Map, UN Comtrade Database
$150 million USD
30% of global trade of total trade
Decreasing due to emerald ash borer impact
$100 million USD
20% of global trade of total trade
Decreasing due to pest-related restrictions
$75 million USD
15% of global trade of total trade
Stable with sustainable forestry practices
$50 million USD
10% of global trade of total trade
Stable with steady demand in furniture sector
$40 million USD
8% of global trade of total trade
Increasing as a major importer for manufacturing
Average Rate
5-10% ad valorem
Highest Rate
20% (imposed by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU internal trade or USMCA)
Decline in North American exports
Reduced supply due to emerald ash borer devastation has increased prices and shifted demand to European and Asian markets.
2020-2022
Rising demand for sustainable wood
Increased preference for certified ash wood from sustainably managed forests, particularly in EU markets.
2021-2023
Growth in alternative materials
Substitution of ash with other hardwoods or engineered woods due to supply shortages and pest concerns.
2019-2022
The European Union has introduced stricter regulations on ash wood imports to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer, requiring heat treatment and detailed certification.
March 2023
Increased costs for exporters from North America and potential reduction in trade volume to EU markets.
The United States Department of Agriculture announced funding for research and control measures to combat the emerald ash borer, aiming to protect remaining ash forests.
July 2022
Potential stabilization of ash supply in the long term if control measures succeed.
Due to supply shortages from North America, China has ramped up imports of ash wood from European countries like Germany and France for furniture manufacturing.
January 2023
Shift in trade patterns, benefiting European exporters while North American market share declines.