HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3707.90 – Photographic goods; chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use

HS code 3707.90 is the 6-digit subheading for photographic goods, chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use. It is used for film developer, photographic fixer, print toner, stop bath concentrate and photo bleach.

What HS 3707.90 covers

This category encompasses a wide range of photographic chemical preparations, excluding sensitised emulsions, that are packaged for retail or direct professional use. This includes developers, fixers, toners, bleaches, and other processing solutions essential for traditional darkroom photography and film processing. Importers are typically photographic supply stores, professional labs, and educational institutions that maintain analog photography programs. Exporters are chemical companies specializing in photographic formulations. Despite the rise of digital photography, there's a persistent demand from enthusiasts, artists, and archives for these chemicals to process film and prints, maintaining a steady, albeit niche, international trade that supports traditional photographic practices globally.

Covers
  • Film developer
  • Photographic fixer
  • Print toner
  • Stop bath concentrate
  • Photo bleach
  • Wetting agent
  • Archival wash aid
  • Darkroom cleaning solution
Examples
  • Kodak D-76 developer
  • Ilford ID-11 developer
  • Fuji Hunt X-Press fixer
  • Tetenal C-41 kit
  • Adox Adonal developer

Codes often confused with 3707.90

Common mistake. This differs from 370710 by excluding sensitised emulsions, focusing on processing chemicals, and from general industrial chemicals (Chapter 28/29) by being specifically formulated and packaged for photographic use.

3707.10Photographic goods; sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use

Top exporters and importers of HS code 370790, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 370790 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% 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 Japan $3.5B
  2. 2 South Korea $681M
  3. 3 United States $624M

World total: $6.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $2.6B
  2. 2 Taiwan* ~$1.1B
  3. 3 South Korea $570M

World total: $7.0B 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 3707.90 5

Brazil splits HS 3707.90 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 3707.90.10 Photographic fixersFixadores
  2. 3707.90.2 DevelopersReveladores Group
  3. 3707.90.21 Electrostatic copier developers (toners)À base de negro de fumo ou de um corante e resinas termoplásticas, para a reprodução de documentos por processo eletrostático
  4. 3707.90.29 Other photographic developersOutros
  5. 3707.90.30 Photosensitive diazo compounds for emulsionsCompostos diazoicos fotossensíveis para preparação de emulsões
  6. 3707.90.90 Other photographic chemical preparationsOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 37.07 →

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

Questions about HS 3707.90

What is HS code 370790?

HS code 370790 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Photographic goods; chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use. This category encompasses a wide range of photographic chemical preparations, excluding sensitised emulsions, that are packaged for retail or direct professional use. This includes developers, fixers, toners, bleaches, and other processing solutions essential for traditional darkroom photography and film processing. Importers are typically photographic supply stores, professional labs, and educational institutions that maintain analog photography programs. Exporters are chemical companies specializing in photographic formulations. Despite the rise of digital photography, there's a persistent demand from enthusiasts, artists, and archives for these chemicals to process film and prints, maintaining a steady, albeit niche, international trade that supports traditional photographic practices globally.

What products fall under HS code 370790?

Film developer, photographic fixer, print toner, stop bath concentrate, photo bleach, wetting agent, archival wash aid, darkroom cleaning solution

What are common misclassifications for HS code 370790?

This differs from 370710 by excluding sensitised emulsions, focusing on processing chemicals, and from general industrial chemicals (Chapter 28/29) by being specifically formulated and packaged for photographic use.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 370790?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 370790 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($3.5B, 52% of world exports), South Korea ($681M) and the United States ($624M). World exports came to about $6.7B, 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 370790?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 370790 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.6B, 37% of world imports), Taiwan (about $1.1B) and South Korea ($570M). World imports came to about $7.0B, 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.

How is HS code 370790 structured?

HS code 370790 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (37) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (07) 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 370790?

Brazil splits HS code 370790 into 5 NCM codes: 3707.90.10 (Photographic fixers), 3707.90.21 (Electrostatic copier developers (toners)), 3707.90.29 (Other photographic developers), 3707.90.30 (Photosensitive diazo compounds for emulsions), 3707.90.90 (Other photographic chemical preparations). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.