HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2811.11 – Hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid)
HS code 2811.11 is the 6-digit subheading for hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid). It is used for anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, aqueous hydrofluoric acid (48%), electronic-grade hydrofluoric acid, industrial-grade HF and ultra-high purity HF.
What HS 2811.11 covers
This HS code covers hydrogen fluoride, commonly known as hydrofluoric acid (HF), a highly corrosive and dangerous inorganic acid. Despite its hazards, HF is an indispensable chemical in numerous industrial processes, making its international trade vital for various high-tech and manufacturing sectors. Importers are typically countries with strong chemical, electronics, petroleum refining, and aluminum industries. Exporters are nations with access to fluorspar (its primary raw material) and advanced chemical production facilities. Key applications include etching glass, manufacturing fluorocarbons (refrigerants, polymers like PTFE), refining petroleum, and producing aluminum. Due to its extreme corrosiveness and toxicity, its trade is subject to stringent safety regulations, specialized packaging, and transportation protocols, which significantly impact logistics and costs.
- Covers
- Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride
- Aqueous hydrofluoric acid (48%)
- Electronic-grade hydrofluoric acid
- Industrial-grade HF
- Ultra-high purity HF
- Dilute hydrofluoric acid
- Examples
- Honeywell Hydrofluoric Acid
- Solvay Hydrofluoric Acid
- Arkema Hydrofluoric Acid
- Stella Chemifa Hydrofluoric Acid
Codes often confused with 2811.11
Common mistake. This code is specific to hydrogen fluoride and should not be confused with other inorganic acids like hydrochloric acid (280610) or sulfuric acid (280700), which have different chemical properties and uses.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 281111, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 281111 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 57% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 20% 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 China $431M 57% of world exports
- 2 Germany $66M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$54M 7.2% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $754M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $203M 20% of world imports
- 2 United States $188M 19% of world imports
- 3 Japan $139M 14% of world imports
World total: $1.0B 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 code for 2811.11
Brazil does not split HS 2811.11: its NCM code is 2811.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.11 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2811.11
What is HS code 281111?
HS code 281111 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid). This HS code covers hydrogen fluoride, commonly known as hydrofluoric acid (HF), a highly corrosive and dangerous inorganic acid. Despite its hazards, HF is an indispensable chemical in numerous industrial processes, making its international trade vital for various high-tech and manufacturing sectors. Importers are typically countries with strong chemical, electronics, petroleum refining, and aluminum industries. Exporters are nations with access to fluorspar (its primary raw material) and advanced chemical production facilities. Key applications include etching glass, manufacturing fluorocarbons (refrigerants, polymers like PTFE), refining petroleum, and producing aluminum. Due to its extreme corrosiveness and toxicity, its trade is subject to stringent safety regulations, specialized packaging, and transportation protocols, which significantly impact logistics and costs.
What products fall under HS code 281111?
Anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, aqueous hydrofluoric acid (48%), electronic-grade hydrofluoric acid, industrial-grade HF, ultra-high purity HF, dilute hydrofluoric acid
What are common misclassifications for HS code 281111?
This code is specific to hydrogen fluoride and should not be confused with other inorganic acids like hydrochloric acid (280610) or sulfuric acid (280700), which have different chemical properties and uses.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 281111?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 281111 in UN Comtrade data were China ($431M, 57% of world exports), Germany ($66M) and Taiwan (about $54M). World exports came to about $754M, 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 281111?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 281111 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($203M, 20% of world imports), the United States ($188M) and Japan ($139M). World imports came to about $1.0B, 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.
How is HS code 281111 structured?
HS code 281111 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (11) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 281111?
In Brazil, HS code 281111 is NCM 2811.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.