HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3404.90 – Waxes; artificial and prepared, other than of polyethylene glycol

HS code 3404.90 is the 6-digit subheading for waxes, artificial and prepared, other than of polyethylene glycol. It is used for microcrystalline wax, fischer-Tropsch wax, oxidized polyethylene wax, synthetic paraffin wax and polypropylene wax.

What HS 3404.90 covers

This code covers other artificial and prepared waxes, excluding those of poly(oxyethylene). This broad category includes a diverse range of synthetic waxes such as microcrystalline waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, oxidized polyethylene waxes, and various blends of synthetic paraffins. These waxes are engineered for specific properties like hardness, melting point, gloss, or barrier characteristics, making them indispensable in industries such as coatings, polishes, adhesives, plastics, textiles, and packaging. International trade involves specialty chemical companies supplying manufacturers across numerous sectors. Importers often require waxes with tailored performance for their production processes, while exporters leverage advanced synthesis and blending technologies. Key aspects include technical specifications, application performance, and compliance with industry standards.

Covers
  • Microcrystalline wax
  • Fischer-Tropsch wax
  • Oxidized polyethylene wax
  • Synthetic paraffin wax
  • Polypropylene wax
  • Amide waxes
  • PTFE waxes
Examples
  • Sasolwax
  • Evonik Vestowax
  • Honeywell A-C Wax
  • BASF Luwax
  • Clariant Licowax

Codes often confused with 3404.90

Common mistake. These waxes can be confused with natural waxes (Chapter 15) or PEG waxes (340420). The key distinction is their artificial or prepared nature and the specific chemical composition, excluding poly(oxyethylene).

3404.20Waxes; artificial and prepared, of poly(oxyethylene) (polyethylene glycol)

Top exporters and importers of HS code 340490, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 340490 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 16% 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 Germany $584M
  2. 2 United States $479M
  3. 3 China $325M

World total: $3.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $529M
  2. 2 United States $273M
  3. 3 Germany $235M

World total: $3.4B 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 3404.90 8

Brazil splits HS 3404.90 into 8 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 3404.90.1 Artificial waxesCeras artificiais Group
  2. 3404.90.11 Emulsifiable polyethylene waxesDe polietileno, emulsionáveis
  3. 3404.90.12 Other polyethylene artificial waxesOutras, de polietileno
  4. 3404.90.13 Polypropylene glycol artificial waxesDe polipropilenoglicóis
  5. 3404.90.14 C12-C16 alkyl ketene dimer wax, in granulesDe dímero de alquilceteno com dois grupos alternados n-alquila de C12, C14 e C16, em grânulos
  6. 3404.90.19 Other artificial waxesOutras
  7. 3404.90.2 Prepared waxesCeras preparadas Group
  8. 3404.90.21 Anhydrous eucerin (petrolatum, lanolin alcohols)À base de vaselina e álcoois de lanolina (eucerina anidra)
  9. 3404.90.22 Hydroxystearyl cetyl ether prepared waxesÀ base de hidroxiestearil cetil éter
  10. 3404.90.29 Other prepared waxesOutras

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 34.04 →

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

Questions about HS 3404.90

What is HS code 340490?

HS code 340490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waxes; artificial and prepared, other than of polyethylene glycol. This code covers other artificial and prepared waxes, excluding those of poly(oxyethylene). This broad category includes a diverse range of synthetic waxes such as microcrystalline waxes, Fischer-Tropsch waxes, oxidized polyethylene waxes, and various blends of synthetic paraffins. These waxes are engineered for specific properties like hardness, melting point, gloss, or barrier characteristics, making them indispensable in industries such as coatings, polishes, adhesives, plastics, textiles, and packaging. International trade involves specialty chemical companies supplying manufacturers across numerous sectors. Importers often require waxes with tailored performance for their production processes, while exporters leverage advanced synthesis and blending technologies. Key aspects include technical specifications, application performance, and compliance with industry standards.

What products fall under HS code 340490?

Microcrystalline wax, Fischer-Tropsch wax, Oxidized polyethylene wax, Synthetic paraffin wax, Polypropylene wax, Amide waxes, PTFE waxes

What are common misclassifications for HS code 340490?

These waxes can be confused with natural waxes (Chapter 15) or PEG waxes (340420). The key distinction is their artificial or prepared nature and the specific chemical composition, excluding poly(oxyethylene).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 340490?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 340490 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($584M, 18% of world exports), the United States ($479M) and China ($325M). World exports came to about $3.2B, 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 340490?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 340490 in UN Comtrade data were China ($529M, 16% of world imports), the United States ($273M) and Germany ($235M). World imports came to about $3.4B, 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 340490 structured?

HS code 340490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (34) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) 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 340490?

Brazil splits HS code 340490 into 8 NCM codes: 3404.90.11 (Emulsifiable polyethylene waxes), 3404.90.12 (Other polyethylene artificial waxes), 3404.90.13 (Polypropylene glycol artificial waxes), 3404.90.14 (C12-C16 alkyl ketene dimer wax, in granules), 3404.90.19 (Other artificial waxes), 3404.90.21 (Anhydrous eucerin (petrolatum, lanolin alcohols)), 3404.90.22 (Hydroxystearyl cetyl ether prepared waxes), 3404.90.29 (Other prepared waxes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.