HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 28.37 – Cyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanides
What HS 28.37 covers
Heading 2837 covers a highly sensitive and strictly regulated group of inorganic chemicals: cyanides, cyanide oxides, and complex cyanides. These compounds are characterized by the presence of the highly toxic cyanide ion (CN-) and are critical to specific industrial applications despite their inherent hazards. The scope is precise, encompassing simple alkali metal and alkaline earth metal cyanides (e.g., sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide), hydrogen cyanide, and more intricate complex cyanides like ferrocyanides and ferricyanides (e.g., potassium ferrocyanide, Prussian blue). Trade compliance for these chemicals is of paramount importance due to their extreme toxicity, potential for environmental harm, and dual-use applications (e.g., in illegal mining or as chemical weapon precursors). International trade is governed by stringent regulations, including hazardous material classifications, robust export controls (e.g., Australia Group controls), and adherence to international conventions. Misclassification can result in severe legal penalties, significant environmental and safety risks, and reputational damage. Historically, cyanides have played a crucial role in gold extraction and various chemical syntheses since the late 19th century, making their continued trade heavily scrutinized. As part of Chapter 28 (Inorganic chemicals), this heading distinctly groups these cyanide-containing compounds, emphasizing their unique chemical properties and the rigorous regulatory framework surrounding their global trade, differentiating them from other inorganic salts.
- Covers
- Sodium cyanide
- Potassium cyanide
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Zinc cyanide
- Cuprous cyanide
- Silver cyanide
- Calcium cyanide
- Mercury cyanide
- Lead cyanide
- Potassium ferrocyanide
- Sodium ferrocyanide
- Potassium ferricyanide
- Sodium ferricyanide
- Ammonium ferrocyanide
- Prussian blue (ferric ferrocyanide)
- Gold potassium cyanide
- Copper potassium cyanide
- Nickel potassium cyanide
- Cadmium cyanide
- Basic copper cyanide
- Ammonium cyanide
- Iron cyanide
- Lithium cyanide
- Magnesium cyanide
- Examples
A Canadian gold mining corporation regularly imports large volumes of sodium cyanide from a German chemical manufacturer for its extraction operations, transported under strict IMO dangerous goods regulations via dedicated maritime routes. A Japanese electroplating company imports potassium cyanide from a South Korean supplier for specialized surface treatment processes, adhering to stringent domestic chemical safety regulations for handling and storage. A US-based specialty chemical producer exports potassium ferrocyanide to a textile dye manufacturer in India, where it serves as a pigment precursor, typically shipped in sealed, compliant containers via ocean freight. Hydrogen cyanide, due to its extreme volatility, is occasionally traded between chemical plants within Europe for the synthesis of acrylonitrile, requiring highly specialized and immediate transportation methods. A Chinese supplier exports zinc cyanide to a Mexican company for use in electroplating baths, with all shipments meticulously documented for compliance with international hazardous goods regulations.
Subheadings under 28.37 3
Codes often confused with 28.37
Common mistake. The primary misclassification risk for cyanides (2837) involves confusing complex cyanides with organic nitriles (Chapter 29) or other coordination compounds. For instance, organic compounds containing a -CN group, such as acetonitrile or benzonitrile, are classified under Chapter 29 as organic chemicals, not under 2837. Additionally, some metal complexes that do not precisely fit the 'cyanide' definition might be incorrectly placed here, rather than under other inorganic salts headings (e.g., 2842 for other inorganic compounds). The extreme toxicity and regulatory scrutiny associated with 2837 mean that any misclassification can lead to severe legal penalties, export control violations, and significant safety risks, underscoring the critical need for precise chemical identification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2837, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2837 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 6.4% of world imports. Zimbabwe did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 10% of its imports here ($4.6M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $537M 44% of world exports
- 2 United States $256M 21% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $215M 18% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $99M 6.4% of world imports
- 2 Peru* ~$82M 5.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Burkina Faso* ~$78M 5.1% of world imports · partner records ↗
Zimbabwe did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 10% of its imports here ($4.6M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $1.5B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 28.37
What is HS code 2837?
HS code 2837 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanides. Heading 2837 covers a highly sensitive and strictly regulated group of inorganic chemicals: cyanides, cyanide oxides, and complex cyanides. These compounds are characterized by the presence of the highly toxic cyanide ion (CN-) and are critical to specific industrial applications despite their inherent hazards. The scope is precise, encompassing simple alkali metal and alkaline earth metal cyanides (e.g., sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide), hydrogen cyanide, and more intricate complex cyanides like ferrocyanides and ferricyanides (e.g., potassium ferrocyanide, Prussian blue). Trade compliance for these chemicals is of paramount importance due to their extreme toxicity, potential for environmental harm, and dual-use applications (e.g., in illegal mining or as chemical weapon precursors). International trade is governed by stringent regulations, including hazardous material classifications, robust export controls (e.g., Australia Group controls), and adherence to international conventions. Misclassification can result in severe legal penalties, significant environmental and safety risks, and reputational damage. Historically, cyanides have played a crucial role in gold extraction and various chemical syntheses since the late 19th century, making their continued trade heavily scrutinized. As part of Chapter 28 (Inorganic chemicals), this heading distinctly groups these cyanide-containing compounds, emphasizing their unique chemical properties and the rigorous regulatory framework surrounding their global trade, differentiating them from other inorganic salts.
What products fall under HS code 2837?
Sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, hydrogen cyanide, zinc cyanide, cuprous cyanide, silver cyanide, calcium cyanide, mercury cyanide, lead cyanide, potassium ferrocyanide, sodium ferrocyanide, potassium ferricyanide, sodium ferricyanide, ammonium ferrocyanide, Prussian blue (ferric ferrocyanide), gold potassium cyanide, copper potassium cyanide, nickel potassium cyanide, cadmium cyanide, basic copper cyanide, ammonium cyanide, iron cyanide, lithium cyanide, magnesium cyanide
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2837?
The primary misclassification risk for cyanides (2837) involves confusing complex cyanides with organic nitriles (Chapter 29) or other coordination compounds. For instance, organic compounds containing a -CN group, such as acetonitrile or benzonitrile, are classified under Chapter 29 as organic chemicals, not under 2837. Additionally, some metal complexes that do not precisely fit the 'cyanide' definition might be incorrectly placed here, rather than under other inorganic salts headings (e.g., 2842 for other inorganic compounds). The extreme toxicity and regulatory scrutiny associated with 2837 mean that any misclassification can lead to severe legal penalties, export control violations, and significant safety risks, underscoring the critical need for precise chemical identification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2837?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2837 in UN Comtrade data were China ($537M, 44% of world exports), the United States ($256M) and South Korea ($215M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 2837?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2837 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($99M, 6.4% of world imports), Peru (about $82M) and Burkina Faso (about $78M). World imports came to about $1.5B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Zimbabwe did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 10% of its imports here ($4.6M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 2837 structured?
HS code 2837 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 28 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (37) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.