HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3808.94 – Disinfectants; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

HS code 3808.94 is the 6-digit subheading for disinfectants, other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles. It is used for household surface disinfectant spray, hospital-grade disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer (liquid/gel), antiseptic wound cleaner and pet area disinfectant.

What HS 3808.94 covers

This category includes disinfectants, excluding those containing specific substances mentioned in Subheading Note 1, that are packaged for retail sale or as ready-to-use preparations. These products are critical for maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of pathogens in homes, hospitals, and public spaces. Major importers and exporters include pharmaceutical distributors, cleaning supply companies, and general retail chains. Trade in disinfectants is significantly influenced by public health concerns, regulatory approvals for efficacy claims, and consumer demand for sanitization solutions. The 'retail sale' aspect implies packaging suitable for direct consumer purchase, often with user-friendly instructions and safety warnings.

Covers
  • Household surface disinfectant spray
  • Hospital-grade disinfectant wipes
  • Hand sanitizer (liquid/gel)
  • Antiseptic wound cleaner
  • Pet area disinfectant
  • Bathroom cleaner with disinfectant
  • Laundry sanitizer.
Examples
  • Lysol Disinfectant Spray
  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
  • Dettol Antiseptic Liquid
  • Purell Hand Sanitizer
  • Microban 24.

Codes often confused with 3808.94

Common mistake. Sometimes confused with 3402 (surface-active preparations) if cleaning is the primary perceived function, or 380899 if the product has a broader 'pest control' claim.

34.02Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (including auxiliary washing) and cleaning preparations, containing soap or not, excluding those of heading no. 34013808.99Rodenticides and other similar products n.e.c. in heading no. 3808.9; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

Top exporters and importers of HS code 380894, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 380894 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.9% 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. 1 Germany $497M
  2. 2 United States $445M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $332M

World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $338M
  2. 2 France $232M
  3. 3 United States $229M

World total: $3.8B 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 codes for 3808.94 5

Brazil splits HS 3808.94 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 3808.94.1 Put up in forms or packings exclusively for direct use in household sanitising applicationsApresentados em formas ou embalagens exclusivamente para uso direto em aplicações domissanitárias Group
  2. 3808.94.11 Household disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methaneQue contenham bromometano (brometo de metila) ou bromoclorometano
  3. 3808.94.19 Other household disinfectantsOutros
  4. 3808.94.2 Put up otherwiseApresentados de outro modo Group
  5. 3808.94.21 Other disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methaneQue contenham bromometano (brometo de metila) ou bromoclorometano
  6. 3808.94.22 2-(Thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole disinfectantsOutros, à base de 2-(tiocianometiltio) benzotiazol
  7. 3808.94.29 Other disinfectantsOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.08 →

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

Questions about HS 3808.94

What is HS code 380894?

HS code 380894 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Disinfectants; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles. This category includes disinfectants, excluding those containing specific substances mentioned in Subheading Note 1, that are packaged for retail sale or as ready-to-use preparations. These products are critical for maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of pathogens in homes, hospitals, and public spaces. Major importers and exporters include pharmaceutical distributors, cleaning supply companies, and general retail chains. Trade in disinfectants is significantly influenced by public health concerns, regulatory approvals for efficacy claims, and consumer demand for sanitization solutions. The 'retail sale' aspect implies packaging suitable for direct consumer purchase, often with user-friendly instructions and safety warnings.

What products fall under HS code 380894?

Household surface disinfectant spray, hospital-grade disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer (liquid/gel), antiseptic wound cleaner, pet area disinfectant, bathroom cleaner with disinfectant, laundry sanitizer.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 380894?

Sometimes confused with 3402 (surface-active preparations) if cleaning is the primary perceived function, or 380899 if the product has a broader 'pest control' claim.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 380894?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 380894 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($497M, 14% of world exports), the United States ($445M) and the United Kingdom ($332M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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 380894?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 380894 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($338M, 8.9% of world imports), France ($232M) and the United States ($229M). World imports came to about $3.8B, 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 380894 structured?

HS code 380894 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (94) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 380894?

Brazil splits HS code 380894 into 5 NCM codes: 3808.94.11 (Household disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.94.19 (Other household disinfectants), 3808.94.21 (Other disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.94.22 (2-(Thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole disinfectants), 3808.94.29 (Other disinfectants). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.