HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 28.04 – Hydrogen, rare gases and other non-metals
What HS 28.04 covers
HS Code 2804 covers elemental hydrogen, rare gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon), and other non-metals not specifically provided for elsewhere in Chapter 28. This comprehensive heading groups together a variety of non-metallic elements that are fundamental to numerous industrial and scientific applications. It specifically excludes halogens (2801), sulphur (2802), and carbon (2803), which have their own dedicated headings. The scope includes hydrogen in various forms (e.g., compressed, liquid), and the noble gases known for their inertness, used in lighting, welding, cryogenics, and electronics. Other non-metals here encompass elements like nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, silicon, boron, arsenic, selenium, and tellurium, provided they are in their elemental, uncombined state. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to the diverse nature of these elements – from highly flammable hydrogen to inert noble gases and semiconductor-grade silicon. Accurate classification ensures correct tariff rates, compliance with safety regulations for pressurized gases or hazardous non-metals, and adherence to strategic material controls (e.g., high-purity silicon). Historically, the trade in industrial gases and specialized non-metals has grown exponentially with technological advancements in electronics, aerospace, and medical fields. This heading serves as a crucial catch-all for elemental non-metals, ensuring that these basic building blocks of matter are correctly categorized within Chapter 28's framework of inorganic chemicals, distinct from their compounds or mixtures.
- Covers
- Gaseous hydrogen
- Liquid hydrogen
- Compressed hydrogen
- Helium gas
- Liquid helium
- Neon gas
- Liquid neon
- Argon gas
- Liquid argon
- Krypton gas
- Liquid krypton
- Xenon gas
- Liquid xenon
- Nitrogen gas
- Liquid nitrogen
- Oxygen gas
- Liquid oxygen
- Elemental silicon
- Silicon wafers (unprocessed)
- Elemental phosphorus (white, red, yellow)
- Elemental boron
- Elemental arsenic
- Elemental selenium
- Elemental tellurium
- Ultra-high purity hydrogen
- Semiconductor grade silicon
- Medical grade oxygen
- Industrial grade argon
- Research grade helium
- Examples
A semiconductor fabrication plant in Taiwan imports ultra-high purity elemental silicon wafers from Japan for microchip production, often transported via specialized air cargo. Concurrently, a hospital in the United Kingdom receives medical-grade liquid oxygen from the Netherlands in cryogenic tankers for patient care. In another instance, a German welding equipment manufacturer imports industrial-grade argon gas from the United States in cylinders for inert gas shielding. Furthermore, a space agency in the USA procures liquid hydrogen from a domestic supplier for rocket propulsion, requiring specialized cryogenic transport. Finally, an Indian chemical company imports elemental white phosphorus from Kazakhstan for various industrial applications, necessitating strict hazardous materials handling.
Subheadings under 28.04 11
Codes often confused with 28.04
Common mistake. Common misclassifications include confusing elemental forms with their compounds or mixtures. For example, silicon dioxide (silica), a compound, falls under 2811, not 2804. Mixtures of gases, such as breathing gases or calibration gases, are generally classified under 3824, not as individual elemental gases under 2804. Another frequent error involves silicon: while elemental silicon is 2804, silicon carbide (a compound) is 2849, and silicon alloys (e.g., ferrosilicon) are in Chapter 72. The key distinction is the 'elemental' status, meaning the uncombined form of the chemical element, and ensuring it's not a mixture or a compound. Purity levels can also be a factor, as extremely high-purity materials sometimes have specific subheadings or end-use considerations.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2804, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2804 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 11% 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 United States $1.6B 15% of world exports
- 2 China $1.5B 14% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.2B 11% of world exports
World total: $10.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $1.2B 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $1.1B 9.6% of world imports
- 3 China $1.0B 9.4% of world imports
World total: $11.1B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product falls under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Importers to the EU must declare embedded carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates.
Questions about HS 28.04
What is HS code 2804?
HS code 2804 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hydrogen, rare gases and other non-metals. HS Code 2804 covers elemental hydrogen, rare gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon), and other non-metals not specifically provided for elsewhere in Chapter 28. This comprehensive heading groups together a variety of non-metallic elements that are fundamental to numerous industrial and scientific applications. It specifically excludes halogens (2801), sulphur (2802), and carbon (2803), which have their own dedicated headings. The scope includes hydrogen in various forms (e.g., compressed, liquid), and the noble gases known for their inertness, used in lighting, welding, cryogenics, and electronics. Other non-metals here encompass elements like nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, silicon, boron, arsenic, selenium, and tellurium, provided they are in their elemental, uncombined state. This classification is critical for trade compliance due to the diverse nature of these elements – from highly flammable hydrogen to inert noble gases and semiconductor-grade silicon. Accurate classification ensures correct tariff rates, compliance with safety regulations for pressurized gases or hazardous non-metals, and adherence to strategic material controls (e.g., high-purity silicon). Historically, the trade in industrial gases and specialized non-metals has grown exponentially with technological advancements in electronics, aerospace, and medical fields. This heading serves as a crucial catch-all for elemental non-metals, ensuring that these basic building blocks of matter are correctly categorized within Chapter 28's framework of inorganic chemicals, distinct from their compounds or mixtures.
What products fall under HS code 2804?
Gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen, compressed hydrogen, helium gas, liquid helium, neon gas, liquid neon, argon gas, liquid argon, krypton gas, liquid krypton, xenon gas, liquid xenon, nitrogen gas, liquid nitrogen, oxygen gas, liquid oxygen, elemental silicon, silicon wafers (unprocessed), elemental phosphorus (white, red, yellow), elemental boron, elemental arsenic, elemental selenium, elemental tellurium, ultra-high purity hydrogen, semiconductor grade silicon, medical grade oxygen, industrial grade argon, research grade helium
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2804?
Common misclassifications include confusing elemental forms with their compounds or mixtures. For example, silicon dioxide (silica), a compound, falls under 2811, not 2804. Mixtures of gases, such as breathing gases or calibration gases, are generally classified under 3824, not as individual elemental gases under 2804. Another frequent error involves silicon: while elemental silicon is 2804, silicon carbide (a compound) is 2849, and silicon alloys (e.g., ferrosilicon) are in Chapter 72. The key distinction is the 'elemental' status, meaning the uncombined form of the chemical element, and ensuring it's not a mixture or a compound. Purity levels can also be a factor, as extremely high-purity materials sometimes have specific subheadings or end-use considerations.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2804?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2804 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.6B, 15% of world exports), China ($1.5B) and Germany ($1.2B). World exports came to about $10.9B, 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 2804?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2804 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($1.2B, 11% of world imports), Germany ($1.1B) and China ($1.0B). World imports came to about $11.1B, 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 2804 structured?
HS code 2804 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 28 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.