HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2804.29 – Gases, rare; other than argon
HS code 2804.29 is the 6-digit subheading for gases, rare, other than argon. It is used for gaseous helium, liquid helium, neon gas, krypton gas and xenon gas.
What HS 2804.29 covers
This HS code covers rare gases other than argon, primarily including helium, neon, krypton, and xenon. These noble gases are highly valued for their inertness and unique properties, making them critical for specialized high-tech applications. Helium is essential for MRI scanners, cryogenics, and as a lifting gas. Neon is used in lasers (e.g., excimer lasers) and specialized lighting. Krypton and xenon find applications in high-performance lighting, satellite propulsion, and medical imaging. These gases are often byproducts of air separation and are traded by specialized industrial gas companies. Their scarcity, high production costs, and strategic importance in advanced technologies make them high-value commodities in international trade.
- Covers
- Gaseous helium
- Liquid helium
- Neon gas
- Krypton gas
- Xenon gas
- High-purity rare gases
- Examples
- Airgas Helium
- Matheson Tri-Gas Neon
- Linde Krypton
- Praxair Xenon
Codes often confused with 2804.29
Common mistake. The primary confusion is with argon (2804.21) or with gas mixtures (2804.90) that might contain these rare gases, but this code is for pure elemental forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280429, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280429 in UN Comtrade data was Qatar, with about 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% 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 Qatar* ~$870M 29% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 United States $453M 15% of world exports
- 3 Algeria* ~$451M 15% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $3.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $441M 15% of world imports
- 2 France $428M 15% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $267M 9.3% of world imports
World total: $2.9B 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 2804.29 2
Brazil splits HS 2804.29 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
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 2804.29
What is HS code 280429?
HS code 280429 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Gases, rare; other than argon. This HS code covers rare gases other than argon, primarily including helium, neon, krypton, and xenon. These noble gases are highly valued for their inertness and unique properties, making them critical for specialized high-tech applications. Helium is essential for MRI scanners, cryogenics, and as a lifting gas. Neon is used in lasers (e.g., excimer lasers) and specialized lighting. Krypton and xenon find applications in high-performance lighting, satellite propulsion, and medical imaging. These gases are often byproducts of air separation and are traded by specialized industrial gas companies. Their scarcity, high production costs, and strategic importance in advanced technologies make them high-value commodities in international trade.
What products fall under HS code 280429?
Gaseous helium, liquid helium, neon gas, krypton gas, xenon gas, high-purity rare gases
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280429?
The primary confusion is with argon (2804.21) or with gas mixtures (2804.90) that might contain these rare gases, but this code is for pure elemental forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280429?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280429 in UN Comtrade data were Qatar (about $870M, 29% of world exports), the United States ($453M) and Algeria (about $451M). World exports came to about $3.0B, 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 280429?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280429 in UN Comtrade data were China ($441M, 15% of world imports), France ($428M) and South Korea ($267M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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.
How is HS code 280429 structured?
HS code 280429 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (29) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280429?
Brazil splits HS code 280429 into 2 NCM codes: 2804.29.10 (Liquid helium), 2804.29.90 (Rare gases other than argon or liquid helium). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.