HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 38 – Chemical products n.e.c.
What HS 38 covers
Chapter 38 of the Harmonized System (HS) is a crucial and often complex classification for 'Miscellaneous chemical products.' It serves as a residual category within Section VI, encompassing a diverse array of prepared chemical products not specifically covered in other more precise chemical chapters (28-37). This chapter's scope is defined by its 'not elsewhere specified or included' nature, meaning products fall here if they are chemical mixtures or preparations with specific functions or end-uses, but do not meet the criteria for classification as primary inorganic (Ch 28) or organic (Ch 29) chemicals, pharmaceuticals (Ch 30), fertilizers (Ch 31), tanning/dyeing extracts (Ch 32), essential oils/cosmetics (Ch 33), soaps/waxes (Ch 34), albuminoidal substances (Ch 35), explosives (Ch 36), or photographic chemicals (Ch 37). Key sub-categories include activated carbon, prepared binders, anti-freezing preparations, hydraulic brake fluids, anti-rust preparations, diagnostic reagents, industrial enzymes, organic composite solvents, and biodiesel. This classification is vital for trade compliance as it dictates applicable duties, import/export regulations, and adherence to specific chemical control regimes (e.g., hazardous materials, dual-use goods). The chapter reflects the dynamic nature of the chemical industry, constantly evolving with new specialized products. Major headings encompass artificial graphite (3801), activated carbon (3802), insecticides/disinfectants (3808), finishing agents (3809), anti-knock preparations (3811), catalysts (3815), diagnostic reagents (3822), various prepared chemical products (3824), and biodiesel (3826). Understanding these boundaries prevents costly misclassifications and ensures smooth international trade flows.
- Covers
Artificial graphite, activated carbon, activated natural mineral products, prepared binders for foundry moulds, anti-knock preparations, anti-oxidizing preparations, hydraulic brake fluids, anti-rust preparations, composite diagnostic reagents, prepared culture media for micro-organisms, industrial enzymes, organic composite solvents, thinners for paints and varnishes, biodiesel, anti-freezing preparations, chemical waste not elsewhere specified, preparations for cleaning metals (pickling preparations), fire-extinguishing charges, chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), mixed alkylbenzenes, non-agglomerated metal carbides, catalysts for chemical reactions (e.g., Ziegler-Natta catalysts), residual products of the chemical or allied industries (e.g., spent catalysts), prepared glues and other prepared adhesives (not based on polymers of Ch 39), disinfectants for household use.
- Examples
A German chemical company exports advanced catalysts, specifically Ziegler-Natta catalysts for polyethylene production, to a plastics manufacturing plant in China. This shipment would typically travel from Germany via Rotterdam to a major Chinese port like Shanghai, classified under HS 3815. An American pharmaceutical firm imports specialized diagnostic reagents for rapid pathogen detection from a laboratory supplier in Switzerland. These sensitive products are often transported via air cargo from Switzerland to major US hubs like New York or Chicago, falling under HS 3822. Brazil is a significant exporter of biodiesel fuel, derived from fatty-acid methyl esters, to the European Union for blending with conventional diesel. Large tanker shipments commonly travel from Brazilian ports to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, classified under HS 3826. A Japanese electronics manufacturer sources high-purity artificial graphite, used in battery electrodes and other conductive applications, from a specialized graphite producer in South Korea. This trade typically involves ocean freight across the Sea of Japan, classified under HS 3801. An Indian textile company imports various finishing agents, such as non-ionic softeners or water repellents, from a chemical supplier in Germany to enhance fabric properties. These goods are usually shipped by sea from Germany to major Indian ports like Mumbai or Mundra, classified under HS 3809.
Headings in chapter 38 27
Codes often confused with 38
Common mistake. A common misclassification error for products in Chapter 38 involves confusing 'prepared' chemical products with pure chemical compounds or simpler mixtures from Chapters 28 and 29. For instance, a complex mixture of organic solvents designed for a specific industrial cleaning task (HS 3824) might be incorrectly classified as individual organic chemicals (HS 29), overlooking its 'prepared' nature and specific function. Similarly, traders often struggle to differentiate between diagnostic reagents (HS 3822) and actual pharmaceutical products with therapeutic or prophylactic uses (HS 30), which should be classified in Chapter 30. Another frequent mistake is misclassifying certain cleaning or polishing preparations in Chapter 38 when they are specifically formulated for cosmetic or personal care uses, belonging instead to Chapter 33. The key is always to assess if the product is a 'preparation' with a defined end-use not covered elsewhere, rather than a basic chemical or a product with a primary pharmaceutical or cosmetic function.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 38, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 38 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 8.5% 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 $36.2B 13% of world exports
- 2 Germany $35.3B 13% of world exports
- 3 China $31.3B 11% of world exports
World total: $278.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $24.5B 8.5% of world imports
- 2 Germany $23.3B 8.1% of world imports
- 3 United States $22.1B 7.7% of world imports
World total: $288.9B 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 38
What is HS code 38?
HS code 38 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Chemical products n.e.c.. Chapter 38 of the Harmonized System (HS) is a crucial and often complex classification for 'Miscellaneous chemical products.' It serves as a residual category within Section VI, encompassing a diverse array of prepared chemical products not specifically covered in other more precise chemical chapters (28-37). This chapter's scope is defined by its 'not elsewhere specified or included' nature, meaning products fall here if they are chemical mixtures or preparations with specific functions or end-uses, but do not meet the criteria for classification as primary inorganic (Ch 28) or organic (Ch 29) chemicals, pharmaceuticals (Ch 30), fertilizers (Ch 31), tanning/dyeing extracts (Ch 32), essential oils/cosmetics (Ch 33), soaps/waxes (Ch 34), albuminoidal substances (Ch 35), explosives (Ch 36), or photographic chemicals (Ch 37). Key sub-categories include activated carbon, prepared binders, anti-freezing preparations, hydraulic brake fluids, anti-rust preparations, diagnostic reagents, industrial enzymes, organic composite solvents, and biodiesel. This classification is vital for trade compliance as it dictates applicable duties, import/export regulations, and adherence to specific chemical control regimes (e.g., hazardous materials, dual-use goods). The chapter reflects the dynamic nature of the chemical industry, constantly evolving with new specialized products. Major headings encompass artificial graphite (3801), activated carbon (3802), insecticides/disinfectants (3808), finishing agents (3809), anti-knock preparations (3811), catalysts (3815), diagnostic reagents (3822), various prepared chemical products (3824), and biodiesel (3826). Understanding these boundaries prevents costly misclassifications and ensures smooth international trade flows.
What products fall under HS code 38?
Artificial graphite, activated carbon, activated natural mineral products, prepared binders for foundry moulds, anti-knock preparations, anti-oxidizing preparations, hydraulic brake fluids, anti-rust preparations, composite diagnostic reagents, prepared culture media for micro-organisms, industrial enzymes, organic composite solvents, thinners for paints and varnishes, biodiesel, anti-freezing preparations, chemical waste not elsewhere specified, preparations for cleaning metals (pickling preparations), fire-extinguishing charges, chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), mixed alkylbenzenes, non-agglomerated metal carbides, catalysts for chemical reactions (e.g., Ziegler-Natta catalysts), residual products of the chemical or allied industries (e.g., spent catalysts), prepared glues and other prepared adhesives (not based on polymers of Ch 39), disinfectants for household use.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 38?
A common misclassification error for products in Chapter 38 involves confusing 'prepared' chemical products with pure chemical compounds or simpler mixtures from Chapters 28 and 29. For instance, a complex mixture of organic solvents designed for a specific industrial cleaning task (HS 3824) might be incorrectly classified as individual organic chemicals (HS 29), overlooking its 'prepared' nature and specific function. Similarly, traders often struggle to differentiate between diagnostic reagents (HS 3822) and actual pharmaceutical products with therapeutic or prophylactic uses (HS 30), which should be classified in Chapter 30. Another frequent mistake is misclassifying certain cleaning or polishing preparations in Chapter 38 when they are specifically formulated for cosmetic or personal care uses, belonging instead to Chapter 33. The key is always to assess if the product is a 'preparation' with a defined end-use not covered elsewhere, rather than a basic chemical or a product with a primary pharmaceutical or cosmetic function.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 38?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 38 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($36.2B, 13% of world exports), Germany ($35.3B) and China ($31.3B). World exports came to about $278.3B, 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 38?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 38 in UN Comtrade data were China ($24.5B, 8.5% of world imports), Germany ($23.3B) and the United States ($22.1B). World imports came to about $288.9B, 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 38 structured?
HS code 38 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.