HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2853.90 – Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams

HS code 2853.90 is the 6-digit subheading for phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus, other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity), liquid air, rare gases removed or not, compressed air, amalgams, not precious metal amalgams. It is used for aluminum phosphide, zinc phosphide, distilled water, deionized water and liquid nitrogen.

What HS 2853.90 covers

This HS code serves as a broad 'catch-all' for various other inorganic compounds not specified elsewhere in Chapter 28. It includes phosphides (excluding ferrophosphorus), highly purified water (distilled, conductivity water, and water of like purity), liquid air (with or without rare gases removed), compressed air, and non-precious metal amalgams. This diverse category covers a wide range of niche applications, from laboratory reagents and specialized industrial chemicals (phosphides used as fumigants or in semiconductors) to essential industrial gases (compressed air, liquid air components) and dental materials (non-precious amalgams, though their use is declining). Trade patterns are highly varied, reflecting the disparate nature of the products. Exporters and importers include chemical suppliers, industrial gas companies, and specialized manufacturers globally, catering to diverse sectors from healthcare to electronics and agriculture.

Covers
  • Aluminum phosphide
  • Zinc phosphide
  • Distilled water
  • Deionized water
  • Liquid nitrogen
  • Compressed oxygen
  • Dental amalgams (non-precious)
  • Sodium amalgam
Examples
  • Fisher Scientific (distilled water)
  • Air Liquide (compressed air/gases)
  • Dentsply Sirona (dental amalgams)
  • BASF (phosphides for agriculture)

Codes often confused with 2853.90

Common mistake. This is the residual category for inorganic compounds. It's crucial to ensure a compound isn't more specifically classified elsewhere (e.g., 2849 for carbides, 2850 for hydrides/nitrides, 2852 for mercury compounds). Phosphides are distinct from phosphates (2835xx).

28.49Carbides, whether or not chemically defined28.50Hydrides, nitrides, azides, silicides and borides, whether or not chemically defined, other than compounds which are also carbides of heading no. 284928.52Inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, excluding amalgams, whether or not chemically defined

Top exporters and importers of HS code 285390, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 285390 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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. 1 China $895M
  2. 2 Finland $218M
  3. 3 Israel $207M

World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $123M
  2. 2 China $86M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$75M

World total: $836M 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 2853.90 7

Brazil splits HS 2853.90 into 7 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2853.90.1 Phosphides, whether or not chemically definedFosfetos, de constituição química definida ou não Group
  2. 2853.90.11 Aluminium phosphideDe alumínio
  3. 2853.90.12 Magnesium phosphideDe magnésio
  4. 2853.90.13 Copper phosphide, over 15% phosphorusDe cobre (fosfetos de cobre), que contenham mais de 15 %, em peso, de fósforo
  5. 2853.90.19 Other phosphidesOutros
  6. 2853.90.20 Cyanamide and its metal derivativesCianamida e seus derivados metálicos
  7. 2853.90.30 Phosphorus sulphochloridesSulfocloretos de fósforo
  8. 2853.90.90 Other inorganics, air and base-metal amalgamsOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.53 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 2853.90

What is HS code 285390?

HS code 285390 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams. This HS code serves as a broad 'catch-all' for various other inorganic compounds not specified elsewhere in Chapter 28. It includes phosphides (excluding ferrophosphorus), highly purified water (distilled, conductivity water, and water of like purity), liquid air (with or without rare gases removed), compressed air, and non-precious metal amalgams. This diverse category covers a wide range of niche applications, from laboratory reagents and specialized industrial chemicals (phosphides used as fumigants or in semiconductors) to essential industrial gases (compressed air, liquid air components) and dental materials (non-precious amalgams, though their use is declining). Trade patterns are highly varied, reflecting the disparate nature of the products. Exporters and importers include chemical suppliers, industrial gas companies, and specialized manufacturers globally, catering to diverse sectors from healthcare to electronics and agriculture.

What products fall under HS code 285390?

Aluminum phosphide, Zinc phosphide, Distilled water, Deionized water, Liquid nitrogen, Compressed oxygen, Dental amalgams (non-precious), Sodium amalgam

What are common misclassifications for HS code 285390?

This is the residual category for inorganic compounds. It's crucial to ensure a compound isn't more specifically classified elsewhere (e.g., 2849 for carbides, 2850 for hydrides/nitrides, 2852 for mercury compounds). Phosphides are distinct from phosphates (2835xx).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 285390?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 285390 in UN Comtrade data were China ($895M, 45% of world exports), Finland ($218M) and Israel ($207M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 285390?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 285390 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($123M, 15% of world imports), China ($86M) and Taiwan (about $75M). World imports came to about $836M, 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 285390 structured?

HS code 285390 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (53) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 285390?

Brazil splits HS code 285390 into 7 NCM codes: 2853.90.11 (Aluminium phosphide), 2853.90.12 (Magnesium phosphide), 2853.90.13 (Copper phosphide, over 15% phosphorus), 2853.90.19 (Other phosphides), 2853.90.20 (Cyanamide and its metal derivatives), 2853.90.30 (Phosphorus sulphochlorides), 2853.90.90 (Other inorganics, air and base-metal amalgams). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.