HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3604.90 – Pyrotechnic products; signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles (excluding fireworks)
HS code 3604.90 is the 6-digit subheading for pyrotechnic products, signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles (excluding fireworks). It is used for marine distress flares, parachute flares, hand-held signals, smoke signals and fog signals.
What HS 3604.90 covers
This HS code encompasses a diverse range of pyrotechnic products that serve functional, rather than purely entertainment, purposes. These include critical safety devices like signalling flares for maritime and aviation use, rain rockets for weather modification, and fog signals. The trade in these goods is driven by industries requiring emergency signaling, defense applications, and specialized environmental control. Importers are typically governments, defense contractors, shipping companies, airlines, and emergency services worldwide. Due to their hazardous nature, international trade is subject to strict regulations concerning manufacturing standards, packaging, transportation, and storage. Compliance with IMO (International Maritime Organization) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards is crucial for products in this category.
- Covers
- Marine distress flares
- Parachute flares
- Hand-held signals
- Smoke signals
- Fog signals
- Rain rockets
- Military signal cartridges
- Emergency road flares
- Examples
- Orion Safety Products
- Pains Wessex
- Comet
- ACR Electronics
- WesCom Signal and Rescue
Codes often confused with 3604.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 360410 (fireworks) if the distinction between functional and entertainment use isn't clear, or 930600 (bombs, grenades, etc.) for military-grade pyrotechnics.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 360490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 360490 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 10% 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 $101M 28% of world exports
- 2 France $90M 25% of world exports
- 3 Germany $78M 21% of world exports
World total: $367M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $26M 10% of world imports
- 2 Germany $20M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 Japan $19M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $253M 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 3604.90 2
Brazil splits HS 3604.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3604.90.10 Anti-hail rockets and cartridgesFoguetes e cartuchos contra o granizo e semelhantes
- 3604.90.90 Signalling flares and other pyrotechnicsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 36.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3604.90
What is HS code 360490?
HS code 360490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pyrotechnic products; signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles (excluding fireworks). This HS code encompasses a diverse range of pyrotechnic products that serve functional, rather than purely entertainment, purposes. These include critical safety devices like signalling flares for maritime and aviation use, rain rockets for weather modification, and fog signals. The trade in these goods is driven by industries requiring emergency signaling, defense applications, and specialized environmental control. Importers are typically governments, defense contractors, shipping companies, airlines, and emergency services worldwide. Due to their hazardous nature, international trade is subject to strict regulations concerning manufacturing standards, packaging, transportation, and storage. Compliance with IMO (International Maritime Organization) and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards is crucial for products in this category.
What products fall under HS code 360490?
Marine distress flares, parachute flares, hand-held signals, smoke signals, fog signals, rain rockets, military signal cartridges, emergency road flares
What are common misclassifications for HS code 360490?
Often confused with 360410 (fireworks) if the distinction between functional and entertainment use isn't clear, or 930600 (bombs, grenades, etc.) for military-grade pyrotechnics.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 360490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 360490 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($101M, 28% of world exports), France ($90M) and Germany ($78M). World exports came to about $367M, 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 360490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 360490 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($26M, 10% of world imports), Germany ($20M) and Japan ($19M). World imports came to about $253M, 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 360490 structured?
HS code 360490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (36) 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 360490?
Brazil splits HS code 360490 into 2 NCM codes: 3604.90.10 (Anti-hail rockets and cartridges), 3604.90.90 (Signalling flares and other pyrotechnics). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.