HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 36.01 – Explosives; propellent powders
What HS 36.01 covers
HS Heading 3601 encompasses explosives and propellent powders. This classification covers a range of chemical compounds or mixtures specifically designed to detonate or deflagrate rapidly, producing gas, heat, and pressure. The scope includes both industrial explosives used in mining, quarrying, and construction, as well as propellants for firearms, rockets, and other military or aerospace applications. It's a fundamental classification for highly controlled substances within international trade. This heading is distinct from pyrotechnic articles (3604), which are primarily designed for light, sound, smoke, or heat effects, rather than explosive force. Due to the inherent danger and dual-use potential of these products, trade compliance under 3601 is exceptionally stringent, involving extensive licensing, security measures, and international agreements. Misclassification can lead to severe penalties, including criminal charges. This heading is the first in Chapter 36, which is dedicated to explosives, pyrotechnic products, matches, pyrophoric alloys, and certain combustible preparations, setting the tone for highly regulated goods.
- Covers
- Dynamite
- Blasting gelatine
- ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil) explosives
- Emulsion explosives
- Water gel explosives
- Slurry explosives
- Detonating cords (when containing the explosive material)
- TNT (trinitrotoluene)
- RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine)
- HMX (octogen)
- PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
- Smokeless powder (nitrocellulose-based)
- Black powder (gunpowder)
- Solid rocket propellants
- Artillery propellants
- Small arms propellants
- Shaped charges (explosive component)
- Boosters (explosive component)
- Plastic explosives
- Binary explosives (when mixed).
- Examples
An international mining corporation imports industrial emulsion explosives from Sweden to its copper mining operations in Chile, facilitating efficient ore extraction. Separately, a major ammunition manufacturer in Canada procures bulk quantities of smokeless propellent powder from the United States for the production of various calibers of firearm ammunition. Another example involves the controlled trade of ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil) components, which are mixed on-site, from global suppliers to Australia's vast open-pit mining sector, subject to strict regulatory oversight.
Subheadings under 36.01 1
Codes often confused with 36.01
Common mistake. Common misclassifications include confusing explosive accessories like safety fuses or detonating fuses (HS 3603) with the explosive material itself. Another frequent error is classifying components of explosives (e.g., pure ammonium nitrate, HS 3102; or specific nitrated organic compounds, HS 2904) under 3601 when they are not yet formulated as an explosive mixture. Additionally, fireworks or signaling flares (HS 3604) are often mistakenly grouped with 3601; the distinction lies in their primary function (pyrotechnic effect vs. explosive force).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 3601, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 3601 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, 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 United States $168M 14% of world exports
- 2 Canada $152M 13% of world exports
- 3 France $135M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $208M 15% of world imports
- 2 Slovakia $168M 12% of world imports
- 3 United States $163M 12% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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.
Questions about HS 36.01
What is HS code 3601?
HS code 3601 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Explosives; propellent powders. HS Heading 3601 encompasses explosives and propellent powders. This classification covers a range of chemical compounds or mixtures specifically designed to detonate or deflagrate rapidly, producing gas, heat, and pressure. The scope includes both industrial explosives used in mining, quarrying, and construction, as well as propellants for firearms, rockets, and other military or aerospace applications. It's a fundamental classification for highly controlled substances within international trade. This heading is distinct from pyrotechnic articles (3604), which are primarily designed for light, sound, smoke, or heat effects, rather than explosive force. Due to the inherent danger and dual-use potential of these products, trade compliance under 3601 is exceptionally stringent, involving extensive licensing, security measures, and international agreements. Misclassification can lead to severe penalties, including criminal charges. This heading is the first in Chapter 36, which is dedicated to explosives, pyrotechnic products, matches, pyrophoric alloys, and certain combustible preparations, setting the tone for highly regulated goods.
What products fall under HS code 3601?
Dynamite, blasting gelatine, ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil) explosives, emulsion explosives, water gel explosives, slurry explosives, detonating cords (when containing the explosive material), TNT (trinitrotoluene), RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine), HMX (octogen), PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate), smokeless powder (nitrocellulose-based), black powder (gunpowder), solid rocket propellants, artillery propellants, small arms propellants, shaped charges (explosive component), boosters (explosive component), plastic explosives, binary explosives (when mixed).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 3601?
Common misclassifications include confusing explosive accessories like safety fuses or detonating fuses (HS 3603) with the explosive material itself. Another frequent error is classifying components of explosives (e.g., pure ammonium nitrate, HS 3102; or specific nitrated organic compounds, HS 2904) under 3601 when they are not yet formulated as an explosive mixture. Additionally, fireworks or signaling flares (HS 3604) are often mistakenly grouped with 3601; the distinction lies in their primary function (pyrotechnic effect vs. explosive force).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 3601?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 3601 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($168M, 14% of world exports), Canada ($152M) and France ($135M). 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 3601?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 3601 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($208M, 15% of world imports), Slovakia ($168M) and the United States ($163M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 3601 structured?
HS code 3601 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 36 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (36) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.