HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2808.00 – Nitric acid; sulphonitric acids
HS code 2808.00 is the 6-digit subheading for nitric acid, sulphonitric acids. It is used for nitric acid 68%, fuming nitric acid, ammonium nitrate precursor, industrial-grade nitric acid and reagent-grade nitric acid.
What HS 2808.00 covers
Nitric acid and sulphonitric acids are critical inorganic chemicals with significant international trade volumes, driven by their essential roles in various industrial processes. Nitric acid is primarily known for its use in the production of ammonium nitrate, a key component in fertilizers, making it vital for global agriculture. Beyond fertilizers, it is extensively used in the manufacture of explosives, such as nitroglycerin and TNT, and in the synthesis of organic chemicals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. It also finds application in metallurgy for pickling and etching, and in the electronics industry. Sulphonitric acids, mixtures of sulfuric and nitric acids, are used for specific nitration reactions. Major importers are typically agricultural economies and industrialized nations with chemical, defense, and electronics sectors. Exporters are often large chemical producers with access to ammonia, the primary raw material. Key considerations in its trade include its highly corrosive and oxidizing properties, requiring specialized handling, storage, and transportation under strict safety regulations. Its dual-use potential (fertilizer vs. explosives) also subjects its trade to international scrutiny and controls, particularly under regimes like CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) for certain industrial inputs, though the direct impact on nitric acid itself might be indirect through its production processes.
- Covers
- Nitric acid 68%
- Fuming nitric acid
- Ammonium nitrate precursor
- Industrial-grade nitric acid
- Reagent-grade nitric acid
- Sulphonitric acid mixtures
- Examples
- Yara Nitric Acid
- BASF Nitric Acid
- OCI Nitric Acid
- CF Industries Nitric Acid
- EuroChem Nitric Acid
Codes often confused with 2808.00
Common mistake. This code covers nitric acid and its mixtures with sulfuric acid. It can be confused with other strong mineral acids like sulfuric acid (280700) or hydrochloric acid (280610) due to similar corrosive properties, but its specific applications, especially in nitration, distinguish it.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280800, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280800 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 8.7% 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 South Korea $108M 25% of world exports
- 2 Germany $81M 19% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $63M 15% of world exports
World total: $429M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $46M 8.7% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $45M 8.5% of world imports
- 3 France $41M 7.8% of world imports
World total: $532M 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 2808.00 2
Brazil splits HS 2808.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.08 →
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 2808.00
What is HS code 280800?
HS code 280800 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Nitric acid; sulphonitric acids. Nitric acid and sulphonitric acids are critical inorganic chemicals with significant international trade volumes, driven by their essential roles in various industrial processes. Nitric acid is primarily known for its use in the production of ammonium nitrate, a key component in fertilizers, making it vital for global agriculture. Beyond fertilizers, it is extensively used in the manufacture of explosives, such as nitroglycerin and TNT, and in the synthesis of organic chemicals, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. It also finds application in metallurgy for pickling and etching, and in the electronics industry. Sulphonitric acids, mixtures of sulfuric and nitric acids, are used for specific nitration reactions. Major importers are typically agricultural economies and industrialized nations with chemical, defense, and electronics sectors. Exporters are often large chemical producers with access to ammonia, the primary raw material. Key considerations in its trade include its highly corrosive and oxidizing properties, requiring specialized handling, storage, and transportation under strict safety regulations. Its dual-use potential (fertilizer vs. explosives) also subjects its trade to international scrutiny and controls, particularly under regimes like CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) for certain industrial inputs, though the direct impact on nitric acid itself might be indirect through its production processes.
What products fall under HS code 280800?
Nitric acid 68%, fuming nitric acid, ammonium nitrate precursor, industrial-grade nitric acid, reagent-grade nitric acid, sulphonitric acid mixtures
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280800?
This code covers nitric acid and its mixtures with sulfuric acid. It can be confused with other strong mineral acids like sulfuric acid (280700) or hydrochloric acid (280610) due to similar corrosive properties, but its specific applications, especially in nitration, distinguish it.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280800?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280800 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($108M, 25% of world exports), Germany ($81M) and Belgium ($63M). World exports came to about $429M, 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 280800?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280800 in UN Comtrade data were India ($46M, 8.7% of world imports), Belgium ($45M) and France ($41M). World imports came to about $532M, 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 280800 structured?
HS code 280800 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) 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 280800?
Brazil splits HS code 280800 into 2 NCM codes: 2808.00.10 (Nitric acid), 2808.00.20 (Sulphonitric acids). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.