HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2832.30 – Thiosulphates
HS code 2832.30 is the 6-digit subheading for thiosulphates. It is used for sodium thiosulphate pentahydrate, anhydrous sodium thiosulphate, ammonium thiosulphate, potassium thiosulphate and calcium thiosulphate.
What HS 2832.30 covers
Thiosulphates, particularly sodium thiosulphate, are important inorganic chemicals with diverse industrial applications, making them a significant commodity in international trade. Known for their strong reducing properties, they are extensively used in photography as a fixing agent ("hypo"), in water treatment for dechlorinating, and in the medical field as an antidote for cyanide poisoning. The textile industry utilizes them as a reducing agent and for removing chlorine. Chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and water treatment facilities are primary importers and exporters. The trade often involves both anhydrous and pentahydrate forms, with specifications varying based on purity and intended use. Global demand is steady, driven by ongoing needs in these core industries, and environmental regulations increasingly influence their use in water purification processes.
- Covers
- Sodium thiosulphate pentahydrate
- Anhydrous sodium thiosulphate
- Ammonium thiosulphate
- Potassium thiosulphate
- Calcium thiosulphate
- Barium thiosulphate
- Examples
- BASF Sodium Thiosulphate
- Solvay Sodium Thiosulphate
- Sigma-Aldrich Ammonium Thiosulphate
- Eastman Kodak Thiosulphate Fixer
Codes often confused with 2832.30
Common mistake. Thiosulphates can be confused with sulphites (283210, 283220) or sulphates (2833xx) due to similar sulfur-oxygen anions. The presence of the "thio" prefix indicating a sulfur atom replacing an oxygen atom is the distinguishing feature.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 283230, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 283230 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.0% of world imports. The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $31M 27% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $24M 21% of world exports
- 3 China $15M 13% of world exports
World total: $115M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $11M 9.0% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $11M 8.6% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $9.7M 7.9% of world imports
The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
World total: $123M 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 2832.30 3
Brazil splits HS 2832.30 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2832.30.10 Ammonium thiosulphateDe amônio
- 2832.30.20 Sodium thiosulphateDe sódio
- 2832.30.90 Other thiosulphatesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.32 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2832.30
What is HS code 283230?
HS code 283230 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Thiosulphates. Thiosulphates, particularly sodium thiosulphate, are important inorganic chemicals with diverse industrial applications, making them a significant commodity in international trade. Known for their strong reducing properties, they are extensively used in photography as a fixing agent ("hypo"), in water treatment for dechlorinating, and in the medical field as an antidote for cyanide poisoning. The textile industry utilizes them as a reducing agent and for removing chlorine. Chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and water treatment facilities are primary importers and exporters. The trade often involves both anhydrous and pentahydrate forms, with specifications varying based on purity and intended use. Global demand is steady, driven by ongoing needs in these core industries, and environmental regulations increasingly influence their use in water purification processes.
What products fall under HS code 283230?
Sodium thiosulphate pentahydrate, Anhydrous sodium thiosulphate, Ammonium thiosulphate, Potassium thiosulphate, Calcium thiosulphate, Barium thiosulphate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 283230?
Thiosulphates can be confused with sulphites (283210, 283220) or sulphates (2833xx) due to similar sulfur-oxygen anions. The presence of the "thio" prefix indicating a sulfur atom replacing an oxygen atom is the distinguishing feature.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 283230?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 283230 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($31M, 27% of world exports), Belgium ($24M) and China ($15M). World exports came to about $115M, 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 283230?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 283230 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($11M, 9.0% of world imports), Mexico ($11M) and the United Kingdom ($9.7M). World imports came to about $123M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
How is HS code 283230 structured?
HS code 283230 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (32) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 283230?
Brazil splits HS code 283230 into 3 NCM codes: 2832.30.10 (Ammonium thiosulphate), 2832.30.20 (Sodium thiosulphate), 2832.30.90 (Other thiosulphates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.