HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2803.00 – Carbon; carbon blacks and other forms of carbon n.e.c.

HS code 2803.00 is the 6-digit subheading for carbon, carbon blacks and other forms of carbon n.e.c. It is used for carbon black (furnace black), channel black, lamp black, amorphous carbon and carbon nanotubes.

What HS 2803.00 covers

This HS code covers various forms of elemental carbon, excluding diamonds (7102), natural graphite (2504), and activated carbon (3802.10). The primary product under this code is carbon black, a crucial material for reinforcing rubber products, especially tires, where it enhances strength and durability. It's also used as a pigment in inks, paints, and plastics, and as a conductive filler. Other forms include amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, and raw carbon fibers (before being processed into textile articles). Importers are typically manufacturing industries, particularly automotive, printing, and plastics sectors. Key trade considerations include particle size, surface area, and specific grades tailored for different applications, impacting performance and cost.

Covers
  • Carbon black (furnace black)
  • Channel black
  • Lamp black
  • Amorphous carbon
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Carbon fibers (raw)
Examples
  • Birla Carbon
  • Cabot Corporation Carbon Black
  • Orion Engineered Carbons
  • Continental Carbon

Codes often confused with 2803.00

Common mistake. Frequently confused with activated carbon (3802.10) due to similar appearance, or natural graphite (2504.00), but this code is for other elemental carbon forms.

3802.10Carbon; activated

Top exporters and importers of HS code 280300, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280300 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 9.5% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $1.2B
  2. 2 India $518M
  3. 3 Russia* ~$438M

World total: $6.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $603M
  2. 2 Thailand $509M
  3. 3 United States $421M

World total: $6.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM codes for 2803.00 3

Brazil splits HS 2803.00 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2803.00.1 Carbon blacksNegros de fumo Group
  2. 2803.00.11 Acetylene blackNegro de acetileno
  3. 2803.00.19 Other carbon blacksOutros
  4. 2803.00.90 Other carbon, not elsewhere specifiedOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.03 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 2803.00

What is HS code 280300?

HS code 280300 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carbon; carbon blacks and other forms of carbon n.e.c.. This HS code covers various forms of elemental carbon, excluding diamonds (7102), natural graphite (2504), and activated carbon (3802.10). The primary product under this code is carbon black, a crucial material for reinforcing rubber products, especially tires, where it enhances strength and durability. It's also used as a pigment in inks, paints, and plastics, and as a conductive filler. Other forms include amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, and raw carbon fibers (before being processed into textile articles). Importers are typically manufacturing industries, particularly automotive, printing, and plastics sectors. Key trade considerations include particle size, surface area, and specific grades tailored for different applications, impacting performance and cost.

What products fall under HS code 280300?

Carbon black (furnace black), channel black, lamp black, amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, carbon fibers (raw)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 280300?

Frequently confused with activated carbon (3802.10) due to similar appearance, or natural graphite (2504.00), but this code is for other elemental carbon forms.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280300?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280300 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.2B, 20% of world exports), India ($518M) and Russia (about $438M). World exports came to about $6.3B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 280300?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280300 in UN Comtrade data were China ($603M, 9.5% of world imports), Thailand ($509M) and the United States ($421M). World imports came to about $6.3B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 280300 structured?

HS code 280300 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280300?

Brazil splits HS code 280300 into 3 NCM codes: 2803.00.11 (Acetylene black), 2803.00.19 (Other carbon blacks), 2803.00.90 (Other carbon, not elsewhere specified). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.