HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2836.99 – Carbonates; n.e.c. in heading no. 2836 and other than lithium or strontium
HS code 2836.99 is the 6-digit subheading for carbonates, n.e.c. in heading no. 2836 and other than lithium or strontium. It is used for magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate, bismuth subcarbonate, cerium carbonate and lanthanum carbonate.
What HS 2836.99 covers
This HS code serves as a catch-all for various carbonates not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 2836, excluding lithium and strontium carbonates which have their own dedicated codes. It encompasses a wide array of inorganic carbonates, such as magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate, and various rare earth carbonates, each with distinct industrial applications. Magnesium carbonate, for instance, is used as an antacid, a laxative, a drying agent in sports, and as a filler in plastics and rubber. Zinc carbonate is important in rubber manufacturing, as a pigment, and in some medical applications. The trade in these "other" carbonates is highly fragmented, involving diverse industries from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to agriculture and manufacturing. Importers and exporters range from large chemical conglomerates to specialized niche suppliers. Key considerations include purity levels, specific chemical forms (e.g., light vs. heavy magnesium carbonate), and regulatory compliance depending on the end-use, especially for food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade products.
- Covers
- Magnesium carbonate
- Zinc carbonate
- Bismuth subcarbonate
- Cerium carbonate
- Lanthanum carbonate
- Manganese carbonate
- Copper carbonate
- Examples
- Magnesium Carbonate (pharmaceutical grade)
- Zinc Carbonate (industrial grade)
- Lanthanum Carbonate (medical use)
Codes often confused with 2836.99
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with other specific carbonates like calcium carbonate (283650) or sodium carbonate (283620) if the exact chemical identity is not precisely declared. Misclassification often occurs when a less common carbonate is simply labeled "carbonate" without specifying the cation.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 283699, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 283699 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% of world imports. The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $304M 31% of world exports
- 2 Germany $216M 22% of world exports
- 3 Poland $101M 10% of world exports
World total: $984M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $121M 12% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $86M 8.5% of world imports
- 3 India $49M 4.8% of world imports
The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
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 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 2836.99 5
Brazil splits HS 2836.99 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2836.99.1 CarbonatesCarbonatos Group
- 2836.99.11 Magnesium carbonate, density under 200 kg/m³De magnésio, de densidade aparente inferior a 200 kg/m³
- 2836.99.12 Zirconium carbonateDe zircônio
- 2836.99.13 Commercial and other ammonium carbonatesDe amônio comercial e outros carbonatos de amônio
- 2836.99.19 Other carbonatesOutros
- 2836.99.20 Peroxocarbonates (percarbonates)Peroxocarbonatos (percarbonatos)
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.36 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2836.99
What is HS code 283699?
HS code 283699 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carbonates; n.e.c. in heading no. 2836 and other than lithium or strontium. This HS code serves as a catch-all for various carbonates not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 2836, excluding lithium and strontium carbonates which have their own dedicated codes. It encompasses a wide array of inorganic carbonates, such as magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate, and various rare earth carbonates, each with distinct industrial applications. Magnesium carbonate, for instance, is used as an antacid, a laxative, a drying agent in sports, and as a filler in plastics and rubber. Zinc carbonate is important in rubber manufacturing, as a pigment, and in some medical applications. The trade in these "other" carbonates is highly fragmented, involving diverse industries from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to agriculture and manufacturing. Importers and exporters range from large chemical conglomerates to specialized niche suppliers. Key considerations include purity levels, specific chemical forms (e.g., light vs. heavy magnesium carbonate), and regulatory compliance depending on the end-use, especially for food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade products.
What products fall under HS code 283699?
Magnesium carbonate, Zinc carbonate, Bismuth subcarbonate, Cerium carbonate, Lanthanum carbonate, Manganese carbonate, Copper carbonate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 283699?
This code is frequently confused with other specific carbonates like calcium carbonate (283650) or sodium carbonate (283620) if the exact chemical identity is not precisely declared. Misclassification often occurs when a less common carbonate is simply labeled "carbonate" without specifying the cation.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 283699?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 283699 in UN Comtrade data were China ($304M, 31% of world exports), Germany ($216M) and Poland ($101M). World exports came to about $984M, 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 283699?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 283699 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($121M, 12% of world imports), Malaysia ($86M) and India ($49M). World imports came to about $1.0B, 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 it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 283699 structured?
HS code 283699 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (36) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (99) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 283699?
Brazil splits HS code 283699 into 5 NCM codes: 2836.99.11 (Magnesium carbonate, density under 200 kg/m³), 2836.99.12 (Zirconium carbonate), 2836.99.13 (Commercial and other ammonium carbonates), 2836.99.19 (Other carbonates), 2836.99.20 (Peroxocarbonates (percarbonates)). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.