HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2837.19 – Cyanides and cyanide oxides; other than of sodium
HS code 2837.19 is the 6-digit subheading for cyanides and cyanide oxides, other than of sodium. It is used for potassium cyanide, calcium cyanide, hydrogen cyanide (liquid), hydrogen cyanide (stabilized) and copper cyanide.
What HS 2837.19 covers
This HS code covers a range of inorganic cyanides and cyanide oxides, excluding sodium cyanide, which has its own specific classification. This category includes compounds like potassium cyanide (KCN), calcium cyanide (Ca(CN)2), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in its various forms. Potassium cyanide, similar to sodium cyanide, is highly toxic and finds applications in gold and silver extraction, electroplating, and as a chemical reagent. Calcium cyanide is primarily used in mining for gold extraction and as a fumigant. Hydrogen cyanide, a volatile liquid, is a key intermediate in the production of acrylonitrile, which is used to make plastics, synthetic rubber, and acrylic fibers. The trade of these substances is heavily regulated due to their extreme toxicity and potential for misuse. Importers are typically industries requiring these compounds for specific chemical syntheses, mining, or specialized manufacturing processes. Exporters are chemical companies with the expertise and facilities for safe production and handling. Strict adherence to safety protocols and international hazardous materials regulations is essential.
- Covers
- Potassium cyanide
- Calcium cyanide
- Hydrogen cyanide (liquid)
- Hydrogen cyanide (stabilized)
- Copper cyanide
- Zinc cyanide
- Silver cyanide
- Examples
DuPont Hydrogen Cyanide, BASF Potassium Cyanide, Dr. Paul Lohmann Calcium Cyanide
Codes often confused with 2837.19
Common mistake. This code is often confused with sodium cyanide (283711) if the specific metal cation is not clearly stated, leading to incorrect classification. It's also distinct from complex cyanides like ferrocyanides (283720), which have different chemical structures and applications.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 283719, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 283719 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Philippines, with 25% 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 South Korea $22M 51% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$5.5M 13% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Singapore $4.5M 10% of world exports
World total: $43M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Philippines $21M 25% of world imports
- 2 China $13M 16% of world imports
- 3 India $10M 12% of world imports
World total: $83M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 2837.19 6
Brazil splits HS 2837.19 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2837.19.1 CyanidesCianetos Group
- 2837.19.11 Potassium cyanideDe potássio
- 2837.19.12 Zinc cyanideDe zinco
- 2837.19.14 Cuprous cyanideDe cobre I (cianeto cuproso)
- 2837.19.15 Cupric cyanideDe cobre II (cianeto cúprico)
- 2837.19.19 Other cyanidesOutros
- 2837.19.20 Cyanide oxides (oxycyanides)Oxicianetos
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.37 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2837.19
What is HS code 283719?
HS code 283719 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cyanides and cyanide oxides; other than of sodium. This HS code covers a range of inorganic cyanides and cyanide oxides, excluding sodium cyanide, which has its own specific classification. This category includes compounds like potassium cyanide (KCN), calcium cyanide (Ca(CN)2), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in its various forms. Potassium cyanide, similar to sodium cyanide, is highly toxic and finds applications in gold and silver extraction, electroplating, and as a chemical reagent. Calcium cyanide is primarily used in mining for gold extraction and as a fumigant. Hydrogen cyanide, a volatile liquid, is a key intermediate in the production of acrylonitrile, which is used to make plastics, synthetic rubber, and acrylic fibers. The trade of these substances is heavily regulated due to their extreme toxicity and potential for misuse. Importers are typically industries requiring these compounds for specific chemical syntheses, mining, or specialized manufacturing processes. Exporters are chemical companies with the expertise and facilities for safe production and handling. Strict adherence to safety protocols and international hazardous materials regulations is essential.
What products fall under HS code 283719?
Potassium cyanide, Calcium cyanide, Hydrogen cyanide (liquid), Hydrogen cyanide (stabilized), Copper cyanide, Zinc cyanide, Silver cyanide
What are common misclassifications for HS code 283719?
This code is often confused with sodium cyanide (283711) if the specific metal cation is not clearly stated, leading to incorrect classification. It's also distinct from complex cyanides like ferrocyanides (283720), which have different chemical structures and applications.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 283719?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 283719 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($22M, 51% of world exports), Taiwan (about $5.5M) and Singapore ($4.5M). World exports came to about $43M, 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 283719?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 283719 in UN Comtrade data were the Philippines ($21M, 25% of world imports), China ($13M) and India ($10M). World imports came to about $83M, 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 283719 structured?
HS code 283719 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (37) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (19) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 283719?
Brazil splits HS code 283719 into 6 NCM codes: 2837.19.11 (Potassium cyanide), 2837.19.12 (Zinc cyanide), 2837.19.14 (Cuprous cyanide), 2837.19.15 (Cupric cyanide), 2837.19.19 (Other cyanides), 2837.19.20 (Cyanide oxides (oxycyanides)). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.