HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 28.28 – Hypochlorites; commercial calcium hypochlorite; chlorites; hypobromites
What HS 28.28 covers
Heading 2828 specifically covers hypochlorites, commercial calcium hypochlorite, chlorites, and hypobromites. This classification is dedicated to a distinct group of inorganic oxygen-halogen compounds, primarily known for their powerful oxidizing and bleaching properties. The most prominent product under this heading is commercial calcium hypochlorite, widely used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent, often referred to as bleaching powder. Sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as household bleach, is also classified here, typically in aqueous solutions. The scope is precise, focusing on these specific oxyhalides and excluding other chlorine compounds like chlorides (2827) or chlorates (2829). For trade compliance, accurate classification under 2828 is paramount due to the hazardous nature of these substances; they are strong oxidizers, often corrosive, and require strict adherence to international regulations for handling, storage, and transportation to prevent accidents and ensure safety. Their use in water purification, sanitation, and industrial bleaching makes them critical commodities in global public health and manufacturing. Historically, the development and trade of hypochlorites revolutionized sanitation and industrial processes. This heading is an integral part of Chapter 28, categorizing these specific inorganic salts based on their unique chemical structure and reactivity, distinguishing them from other inorganic acids and salts.
- Covers
- Sodium hypochlorite solution (household bleach)
- Commercial calcium hypochlorite (bleaching powder)
- Lithium hypochlorite
- Sodium chlorite
- Potassium chlorite
- Magnesium hypochlorite
- Barium hypochlorite
- Zinc hypochlorite
- Calcium chlorite
- Strontium hypochlorite
- Hypochlorous acid (as an unstable solution)
- Bromine water (containing hypobromite)
- Sodium hypobromite solution
- Potassium hypobromite solution
- Silver hypochlorite
- Copper(II) hypochlorite
- Iron(II) hypochlorite
- Aluminum hypochlorite
- Ammonium hypochlorite
- Lead hypochlorite
- Manganese hypochlorite
- Cobalt hypochlorite
- Nickel hypochlorite
- Zinc chlorite
- Barium chlorite
- Examples
A major water treatment facility in the Philippines imports commercial calcium hypochlorite from India, typically shipped in drums or larger containers, for disinfecting municipal water supplies and swimming pools. In another instance, a textile manufacturer in Mexico sources large quantities of sodium hypochlorite solution from the United States for bleaching fabrics, transported via tanker trucks or specialized sea containers. Furthermore, a pulp and paper mill in Brazil imports sodium chlorite from China, used as an environmentally friendlier bleaching agent for wood pulp, often in bulk shipments.
Subheadings under 28.28 2
Codes often confused with 28.28
Common mistake. A common misclassification for products under 2828 is confusing them with other chlorine compounds. For instance, simple chlorides (e.g., sodium chloride) belong to 2827, while chlorates and perchlorates (stronger oxidizers) are classified under 2829. Traders might mistakenly classify hypochlorites as general 'disinfectants' under Chapter 38 (e.g., 3808 for disinfectants) if they are in a diluted, ready-to-use formulation, but the pure chemical or concentrated solutions primarily for chemical properties belong in 2828. Additionally, some might confuse them with peroxides (e.g., 2847), which are also oxidizing agents but chemically distinct. Accurate classification requires understanding the specific chemical structure (hypochlorite, chlorite, hypobromite) rather than just its functional application.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2828, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2828 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 $194M 26% of world exports
- 2 Germany $51M 6.9% of world exports
- 3 Canada $51M 6.8% of world exports
World total: $744M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $69M 9.0% of world imports
- 2 France $62M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Germany $40M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $764M 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 28.28
What is HS code 2828?
HS code 2828 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hypochlorites; commercial calcium hypochlorite; chlorites; hypobromites. Heading 2828 specifically covers hypochlorites, commercial calcium hypochlorite, chlorites, and hypobromites. This classification is dedicated to a distinct group of inorganic oxygen-halogen compounds, primarily known for their powerful oxidizing and bleaching properties. The most prominent product under this heading is commercial calcium hypochlorite, widely used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent, often referred to as bleaching powder. Sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as household bleach, is also classified here, typically in aqueous solutions. The scope is precise, focusing on these specific oxyhalides and excluding other chlorine compounds like chlorides (2827) or chlorates (2829). For trade compliance, accurate classification under 2828 is paramount due to the hazardous nature of these substances; they are strong oxidizers, often corrosive, and require strict adherence to international regulations for handling, storage, and transportation to prevent accidents and ensure safety. Their use in water purification, sanitation, and industrial bleaching makes them critical commodities in global public health and manufacturing. Historically, the development and trade of hypochlorites revolutionized sanitation and industrial processes. This heading is an integral part of Chapter 28, categorizing these specific inorganic salts based on their unique chemical structure and reactivity, distinguishing them from other inorganic acids and salts.
What products fall under HS code 2828?
Sodium hypochlorite solution (household bleach), Commercial calcium hypochlorite (bleaching powder), Lithium hypochlorite, Sodium chlorite, Potassium chlorite, Magnesium hypochlorite, Barium hypochlorite, Zinc hypochlorite, Calcium chlorite, Strontium hypochlorite, Hypochlorous acid (as an unstable solution), Bromine water (containing hypobromite), Sodium hypobromite solution, Potassium hypobromite solution, Silver hypochlorite, Copper(II) hypochlorite, Iron(II) hypochlorite, Aluminum hypochlorite, Ammonium hypochlorite, Lead hypochlorite, Manganese hypochlorite, Cobalt hypochlorite, Nickel hypochlorite, Zinc chlorite, Barium chlorite
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2828?
A common misclassification for products under 2828 is confusing them with other chlorine compounds. For instance, simple chlorides (e.g., sodium chloride) belong to 2827, while chlorates and perchlorates (stronger oxidizers) are classified under 2829. Traders might mistakenly classify hypochlorites as general 'disinfectants' under Chapter 38 (e.g., 3808 for disinfectants) if they are in a diluted, ready-to-use formulation, but the pure chemical or concentrated solutions primarily for chemical properties belong in 2828. Additionally, some might confuse them with peroxides (e.g., 2847), which are also oxidizing agents but chemically distinct. Accurate classification requires understanding the specific chemical structure (hypochlorite, chlorite, hypobromite) rather than just its functional application.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2828?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2828 in UN Comtrade data were China ($194M, 26% of world exports), Germany ($51M) and Canada ($51M). World exports came to about $744M, 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 2828?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2828 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($69M, 9.0% of world imports), France ($62M) and Germany ($40M). World imports came to about $764M, 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 2828 structured?
HS code 2828 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 28 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (28) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.