HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3802.10 – Carbon; activated
HS code 3802.10 is the 6-digit subheading for carbon, activated. It is used for granular activated carbon (GAC), powdered activated carbon (PAC), activated carbon pellets, activated carbon cloth and impregnated activated carbon.
What HS 3802.10 covers
Activated carbon is a highly porous material with an extensive internal surface area, making it exceptionally effective for adsorption. This HS code covers its international trade, which is vital for numerous purification and filtration applications across industries. Importers include water treatment plants, air purification system manufacturers, food and beverage processors, pharmaceutical companies, and mining operations. Exporters are typically countries with abundant raw materials (wood, coal, coconut shells) and advanced processing capabilities to activate carbon. The global demand for activated carbon is consistently high, driven by increasing environmental regulations, industrial filtration needs, and consumer demand for cleaner air and water, making it a critical commodity for public health and industrial efficiency.
- Covers
- Granular activated carbon (GAC)
- Powdered activated carbon (PAC)
- Activated carbon pellets
- Activated carbon cloth
- Impregnated activated carbon
- Coconut shell activated carbon
- Wood-based activated carbon
- Coal-based activated carbon
- Examples
- Calgon Carbon granular activated carbon
- Jacobi Carbons powdered activated carbon
- Kuraray activated carbon
- Cabot Norit activated carbon
- Evoqua Water Technologies activated carbon
Codes often confused with 3802.10
Common mistake. This is distinct from other forms of carbon like graphite (3801) or carbon black (2803) due to its specific activation process and primary function as an adsorbent for purification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 380210, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 380210 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.9% 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 China $483M 18% of world exports
- 2 India $464M 17% of world exports
- 3 United States $435M 16% of world exports
World total: $2.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $276M 9.9% of world imports
- 2 China $189M 6.8% of world imports
- 3 Germany $189M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $2.8B 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 code for 3802.10
Brazil does not split HS 3802.10: its NCM code is 3802.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3802.10
What is HS code 380210?
HS code 380210 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carbon; activated. Activated carbon is a highly porous material with an extensive internal surface area, making it exceptionally effective for adsorption. This HS code covers its international trade, which is vital for numerous purification and filtration applications across industries. Importers include water treatment plants, air purification system manufacturers, food and beverage processors, pharmaceutical companies, and mining operations. Exporters are typically countries with abundant raw materials (wood, coal, coconut shells) and advanced processing capabilities to activate carbon. The global demand for activated carbon is consistently high, driven by increasing environmental regulations, industrial filtration needs, and consumer demand for cleaner air and water, making it a critical commodity for public health and industrial efficiency.
What products fall under HS code 380210?
Granular activated carbon (GAC), powdered activated carbon (PAC), activated carbon pellets, activated carbon cloth, impregnated activated carbon, coconut shell activated carbon, wood-based activated carbon, coal-based activated carbon
What are common misclassifications for HS code 380210?
This is distinct from other forms of carbon like graphite (3801) or carbon black (2803) due to its specific activation process and primary function as an adsorbent for purification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 380210?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 380210 in UN Comtrade data were China ($483M, 18% of world exports), India ($464M) and the United States ($435M). World exports came to about $2.7B, 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 380210?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 380210 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($276M, 9.9% of world imports), China ($189M) and Germany ($189M). World imports came to about $2.8B, 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 380210 structured?
HS code 380210 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 380210?
In Brazil, HS code 380210 is NCM 3802.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.