HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3804.00 – Lyes, residual; from the manufacture of wood pulp, whether or not concentrated, desugared or chemically treated, including lignin sulphonates but excluding tall oil of heading no. 3803
HS code 3804.00 is the 6-digit subheading for lyes, residual, from the manufacture of wood pulp, whether or not concentrated, desugared or chemically treated, including lignin sulphonates but excluding tall oil of heading no. 3803. It is used for lignin sulphonate, calcium lignosulphonate, sodium lignosulphonate, ammonium lignosulphonate and magnesium lignosulphonate.
What HS 3804.00 covers
This HS code covers residual lyes from the manufacture of wood pulp, specifically focusing on lignin sulphonates, which may be concentrated, desugared, or chemically treated. These are complex organic polymers derived from lignin, a natural component of wood, and are crucial in various industrial applications. In global trade, lignin sulphonates are highly valued for their excellent dispersing, binding, and emulsifying properties. They are extensively used as concrete admixtures to improve workability, as dust suppressants on roads, as binders in animal feed and refractories, and as dispersants in agricultural chemicals and dyestuffs. Major exporters are countries with robust pulp and paper industries, while importers span the construction, agriculture, and chemical sectors worldwide. The degree of concentration and specific chemical treatment significantly impacts their trade value and suitability for particular applications.
- Covers
- Lignin sulphonate
- Calcium lignosulphonate
- Sodium lignosulphonate
- Ammonium lignosulphonate
- Magnesium lignosulphonate
- Desugared lignosulphonate
- Chemically treated lignin
- Examples
- Borregaard
- Domtar
- Sappi
- LignoTech Florida
- Green Agrochem
Codes often confused with 3804.00
Common mistake. This code specifically excludes tall oil (380300), which is another significant by-product of wood pulping, and can be confused with other organic binders or dispersants if not clearly identified as lignin-based.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 380400, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 380400 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 12% 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 $70M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $59M 17% of world exports
- 3 Sweden $47M 13% of world exports
World total: $355M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $59M 12% of world imports
- 2 Sweden $40M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 China $35M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $509M 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 3804.00 3
Brazil splits HS 3804.00 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3804.00.1 Residual lyes from the manufacture of wood pulpLixívias residuais da fabricação de pastas de celulose Group
- 3804.00.11 Sulphite lyes from wood pulp manufactureAo sulfito
- 3804.00.12 Soda or sulphate lyes from wood pulpÀ soda ou ao sulfato
- 3804.00.20 Lignin sulphonatesLignossulfonatos
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3804.00
What is HS code 380400?
HS code 380400 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Lyes, residual; from the manufacture of wood pulp, whether or not concentrated, desugared or chemically treated, including lignin sulphonates but excluding tall oil of heading no. 3803. This HS code covers residual lyes from the manufacture of wood pulp, specifically focusing on lignin sulphonates, which may be concentrated, desugared, or chemically treated. These are complex organic polymers derived from lignin, a natural component of wood, and are crucial in various industrial applications. In global trade, lignin sulphonates are highly valued for their excellent dispersing, binding, and emulsifying properties. They are extensively used as concrete admixtures to improve workability, as dust suppressants on roads, as binders in animal feed and refractories, and as dispersants in agricultural chemicals and dyestuffs. Major exporters are countries with robust pulp and paper industries, while importers span the construction, agriculture, and chemical sectors worldwide. The degree of concentration and specific chemical treatment significantly impacts their trade value and suitability for particular applications.
What products fall under HS code 380400?
Lignin sulphonate, Calcium lignosulphonate, Sodium lignosulphonate, Ammonium lignosulphonate, Magnesium lignosulphonate, Desugared lignosulphonate, Chemically treated lignin
What are common misclassifications for HS code 380400?
This code specifically excludes tall oil (380300), which is another significant by-product of wood pulping, and can be confused with other organic binders or dispersants if not clearly identified as lignin-based.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 380400?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 380400 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($70M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($59M) and Sweden ($47M). World exports came to about $355M, 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 380400?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 380400 in UN Comtrade data were India ($59M, 12% of world imports), Sweden ($40M) and China ($35M). World imports came to about $509M, 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 380400 structured?
HS code 380400 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 380400?
Brazil splits HS code 380400 into 3 NCM codes: 3804.00.11 (Sulphite lyes from wood pulp manufacture), 3804.00.12 (Soda or sulphate lyes from wood pulp), 3804.00.20 (Lignin sulphonates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.