HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 28.15 – Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) peroxides of sodium or potassium
What HS 28.15 covers
Heading 2815 is a highly specific classification that encompasses sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), potassium hydroxide (caustic potash), and the peroxides of sodium or potassium. This heading groups together some of the most fundamental and industrially significant strong bases and their related peroxide compounds. The scope is precise, covering these specific inorganic compounds in various forms: solid flakes, pellets, granules, or solutions of sodium and potassium hydroxide, as well as the solid forms of sodium peroxide and potassium peroxide. For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 2815 is critical due to the corrosive and reactive nature of these chemicals. They are classified as hazardous materials, necessitating strict adherence to international and national regulations for packaging, labeling, transport, and storage. Misclassification can lead to serious safety risks, environmental damage, and legal penalties. Historically, caustic soda and potash have been pivotal in the chemical industry for centuries, essential in soap making, textile processing, and metal refining. Today, they remain indispensable across a vast array of sectors, from pulp and paper to water treatment and pharmaceutical manufacturing. As core components of Chapter 28, this heading underscores the importance of these basic inorganic chemicals as primary raw materials, driving numerous industrial processes globally and serving as benchmarks for industrial activity.
- Covers
- Sodium hydroxide (solid flakes)
- Sodium hydroxide (solid pellets)
- Sodium hydroxide (solid granules)
- Sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous solution)
- Potassium hydroxide (solid flakes)
- Potassium hydroxide (solid pellets)
- Potassium hydroxide (45% aqueous solution)
- Sodium peroxide
- Potassium peroxide
- Caustic soda lye
- Liquid caustic soda
- Solid caustic potash
- Industrial grade sodium hydroxide
- Battery grade potassium hydroxide
- Analytical grade sodium hydroxide
- High-purity potassium hydroxide
- Sodium hydroxide beads
- Potassium hydroxide solution
- Technical grade sodium hydroxide
- Food grade sodium hydroxide
- Pharmaceutical grade potassium hydroxide
- Sodium hydroxide prills
- Examples
A large pulp and paper manufacturer in Canada imports bulk quantities of 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (2815.12) from the United States, transported via rail and specialized chemical tankers across the border, used for wood pulping and bleaching processes. Simultaneously, a European chemical company exports solid potassium hydroxide flakes (2815.20) to soap and detergent producers in West Africa, shipped in drums via container vessels, essential for saponification. Furthermore, a Chinese water treatment firm imports sodium peroxide (2815.30) from Japan, utilized as an oxidizing agent and disinfectant, often transported in specialized containers due to its reactive nature.
Subheadings under 28.15 4
Codes often confused with 28.15
Common mistake. Common misclassifications under 2815 often involve confusing sodium or potassium hydroxide with other alkali metal compounds. For example, sodium carbonate (soda ash, 2836) or sodium bicarbonate (2836) are often mistakenly grouped, despite being distinct chemicals with different uses and classifications. Similarly, potassium carbonate (2836) or potassium bicarbonate can be confused with potassium hydroxide. Another error is classifying organic bases (Chapter 29) when the product is clearly an inorganic hydroxide. The key distinction lies in identifying the specific chemical name (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or their peroxides) and ensuring it is not a salt or another compound of the alkali metals.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2815, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2815 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 14% 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 $1.5B 22% of world exports
- 2 China $1.5B 21% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $499M 7.1% of world exports
World total: $7.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Australia $1.2B 14% of world imports
- 2 Brazil $888M 10% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $798M 9.4% of world imports
World total: $8.5B 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.
Questions about HS 28.15
What is HS code 2815?
HS code 2815 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) peroxides of sodium or potassium. Heading 2815 is a highly specific classification that encompasses sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), potassium hydroxide (caustic potash), and the peroxides of sodium or potassium. This heading groups together some of the most fundamental and industrially significant strong bases and their related peroxide compounds. The scope is precise, covering these specific inorganic compounds in various forms: solid flakes, pellets, granules, or solutions of sodium and potassium hydroxide, as well as the solid forms of sodium peroxide and potassium peroxide. For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 2815 is critical due to the corrosive and reactive nature of these chemicals. They are classified as hazardous materials, necessitating strict adherence to international and national regulations for packaging, labeling, transport, and storage. Misclassification can lead to serious safety risks, environmental damage, and legal penalties. Historically, caustic soda and potash have been pivotal in the chemical industry for centuries, essential in soap making, textile processing, and metal refining. Today, they remain indispensable across a vast array of sectors, from pulp and paper to water treatment and pharmaceutical manufacturing. As core components of Chapter 28, this heading underscores the importance of these basic inorganic chemicals as primary raw materials, driving numerous industrial processes globally and serving as benchmarks for industrial activity.
What products fall under HS code 2815?
Sodium hydroxide (solid flakes), sodium hydroxide (solid pellets), sodium hydroxide (solid granules), sodium hydroxide (50% aqueous solution), potassium hydroxide (solid flakes), potassium hydroxide (solid pellets), potassium hydroxide (45% aqueous solution), sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, caustic soda lye, liquid caustic soda, solid caustic potash, industrial grade sodium hydroxide, battery grade potassium hydroxide, analytical grade sodium hydroxide, high-purity potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide beads, potassium hydroxide solution, technical grade sodium hydroxide, food grade sodium hydroxide, pharmaceutical grade potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide prills
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2815?
Common misclassifications under 2815 often involve confusing sodium or potassium hydroxide with other alkali metal compounds. For example, sodium carbonate (soda ash, 2836) or sodium bicarbonate (2836) are often mistakenly grouped, despite being distinct chemicals with different uses and classifications. Similarly, potassium carbonate (2836) or potassium bicarbonate can be confused with potassium hydroxide. Another error is classifying organic bases (Chapter 29) when the product is clearly an inorganic hydroxide. The key distinction lies in identifying the specific chemical name (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or their peroxides) and ensuring it is not a salt or another compound of the alkali metals.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2815?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2815 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.5B, 22% of world exports), China ($1.5B) and Belgium ($499M). World exports came to about $7.0B, 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 2815?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2815 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($1.2B, 14% of world imports), Brazil ($888M) and Indonesia ($798M). World imports came to about $8.5B, 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 2815 structured?
HS code 2815 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 28 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (15) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.