Smoked Sheets of Natural Rubber

RSS grades are assigned based on visual inspection criteria set out in the Green Book standards — evaluating cleanliness, color, oxidation, and the presence of blemishes or foreign matter. Higher grades (RSS 1–2) command price premiums and are preferred for precision mechanical goods, while lower grades (RSS 4–5) are typically used in general-purpose rubber compounding. Specifying the correct grade in the purchase contract and verifying it against the inspection certificate at entry protects buyers from receiving off-grade material.

A commercial invoice stating the RSS grade, a packing list with bale count and net weight, a certificate of origin, and — where applicable — a phytosanitary certificate should accompany the shipment. Because smoked sheets are an industrial commodity, they do not require FDA or FSIS review, but accurate grade declaration supports correct tariff classification and avoids disputes at entry.