HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2811.22 – Silicon dioxide
HS code 2811.22 is the 6-digit subheading for silicon dioxide. It is used for fumed silica, precipitated silica, silica gel, quartz powder and amorphous silica.
What HS 2811.22 covers
Silicon dioxide, commonly known as silica, falls under this HS code and is a fundamental compound with vast industrial applications, making it a significant item in international trade. It's the primary component of sand and quartz, but in trade, it often refers to processed forms like fumed silica, precipitated silica, and silica gel. Key industries importing and exporting silicon dioxide include electronics (semiconductors), construction (cement, glass), rubber and plastics (fillers), paints and coatings, and food processing (anti-caking agent). Countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities and significant raw material deposits, such as China, the United States, Germany, and Japan, are major players. The trade is driven by its versatility, acting as a reinforcing filler, abrasive, desiccant, or optical material, with purity and particle size being critical specifications.
- Covers
- Fumed silica
- Precipitated silica
- Silica gel
- Quartz powder
- Amorphous silica
- Colloidal silica
- Diatomaceous earth (purified)
- Examples
- Evonik AEROSIL (fumed silica)
- PPG TESLIN (precipitated silica)
- W. R. Grace SYLOID (silica gel)
- Shin-Etsu Quartz
Codes often confused with 2811.22
Common mistake. This code can be confused with natural sands (2505.10) or quartz (2506.10) if the product is unprocessed, or with silicates (2839) if it's a salt of silicic acid.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 281122, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 281122 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.0% 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 $849M 26% of world exports
- 2 Germany $447M 14% of world exports
- 3 Japan $303M 9.4% of world exports
World total: $3.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $342M 9.0% of world imports
- 2 China $286M 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Germany $184M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $3.8B 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 2811.22 4
Brazil splits HS 2811.22 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2811.22.10 Precipitated silicon dioxide (silica)Obtido por precipitação química
- 2811.22.20 Silica aerogelTipo aerogel
- 2811.22.30 Silica gelGel de sílica
- 2811.22.90 Other silicon dioxideOutros
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 2811.22
What is HS code 281122?
HS code 281122 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silicon dioxide. Silicon dioxide, commonly known as silica, falls under this HS code and is a fundamental compound with vast industrial applications, making it a significant item in international trade. It's the primary component of sand and quartz, but in trade, it often refers to processed forms like fumed silica, precipitated silica, and silica gel. Key industries importing and exporting silicon dioxide include electronics (semiconductors), construction (cement, glass), rubber and plastics (fillers), paints and coatings, and food processing (anti-caking agent). Countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities and significant raw material deposits, such as China, the United States, Germany, and Japan, are major players. The trade is driven by its versatility, acting as a reinforcing filler, abrasive, desiccant, or optical material, with purity and particle size being critical specifications.
What products fall under HS code 281122?
Fumed silica, Precipitated silica, Silica gel, Quartz powder, Amorphous silica, Colloidal silica, Diatomaceous earth (purified)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 281122?
This code can be confused with natural sands (2505.10) or quartz (2506.10) if the product is unprocessed, or with silicates (2839) if it's a salt of silicic acid.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 281122?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 281122 in UN Comtrade data were China ($849M, 26% of world exports), Germany ($447M) and Japan ($303M). World exports came to about $3.2B, 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 281122?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 281122 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($342M, 9.0% of world imports), China ($286M) and Germany ($184M). World imports came to about $3.8B, 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 281122 structured?
HS code 281122 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 (22) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 281122?
Brazil splits HS code 281122 into 4 NCM codes: 2811.22.10 (Precipitated silicon dioxide (silica)), 2811.22.20 (Silica aerogel), 2811.22.30 (Silica gel), 2811.22.90 (Other silicon dioxide). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.