HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3809.10 – Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in textile, paper, leather etc industries, with basis of amylaceous substances, n.e.c.
HS code 3809.10 is the 6-digit subheading for finishing agents and dye carriers, to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in textile, paper, leather etc industries, with basis of amylaceous substances, n.e.c. It is used for starch-based sizing agents, modified starch for paper coating, starch-based textile stiffeners, amylaceous dye fixatives and starch-based printing thickeners.
What HS 3809.10 covers
This HS code covers finishing agents and dye carriers primarily based on amylaceous (starch) substances, used across various industries like textiles, paper, and leather. These preparations are crucial for enhancing the quality, appearance, and durability of finished products. In textiles, they might act as sizing agents, stiffeners, or printing thickeners, improving fabric handle and dye uptake. For paper, they can enhance strength, printability, and surface characteristics. In leather, they contribute to softness and finish. Major importers and exporters include chemical manufacturers, textile mills, paper factories, and tanneries, particularly in regions with strong manufacturing bases. Key considerations in this trade involve the specific application, biodegradability of starch-based products, and their role in sustainable manufacturing processes, offering a natural alternative to synthetic chemicals.
- Covers
- Starch-based sizing agents
- Modified starch for paper coating
- Starch-based textile stiffeners
- Amylaceous dye fixatives
- Starch-based printing thickeners
- Starch-based leather finishing agents
- Textile warp sizing compounds
- Examples
- Avebe Perfectamyl
- Roquette ClearFlow
- Cargill C*Tex
- Tate & Lyle Sta-Lok
- Penford Gum
Codes often confused with 3809.10
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 380991, 380992, or 380993 if the 'amylaceous substances' basis is overlooked, as those codes cover non-starch based agents for specific industries.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 380910, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 380910 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 14% 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 Germany $12M 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $11M 23% of world exports
- 3 Italy $4.5M 9.0% of world exports
World total: $49M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $9.6M 14% of world imports
- 2 Slovakia $5.9M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 Portugal $5.0M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $68M 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 3809.10 2
Brazil splits HS 3809.10 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3809.10.10 Starch-based finishing agents for textilesDo tipo utilizado na indústria têxtil
- 3809.10.90 Other starch-based finishing agentsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3809.10
What is HS code 380910?
HS code 380910 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in textile, paper, leather etc industries, with basis of amylaceous substances, n.e.c.. This HS code covers finishing agents and dye carriers primarily based on amylaceous (starch) substances, used across various industries like textiles, paper, and leather. These preparations are crucial for enhancing the quality, appearance, and durability of finished products. In textiles, they might act as sizing agents, stiffeners, or printing thickeners, improving fabric handle and dye uptake. For paper, they can enhance strength, printability, and surface characteristics. In leather, they contribute to softness and finish. Major importers and exporters include chemical manufacturers, textile mills, paper factories, and tanneries, particularly in regions with strong manufacturing bases. Key considerations in this trade involve the specific application, biodegradability of starch-based products, and their role in sustainable manufacturing processes, offering a natural alternative to synthetic chemicals.
What products fall under HS code 380910?
Starch-based sizing agents, Modified starch for paper coating, Starch-based textile stiffeners, Amylaceous dye fixatives, Starch-based printing thickeners, Starch-based leather finishing agents, Textile warp sizing compounds
What are common misclassifications for HS code 380910?
This code can be confused with 380991, 380992, or 380993 if the 'amylaceous substances' basis is overlooked, as those codes cover non-starch based agents for specific industries.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 380910?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 380910 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($12M, 25% of world exports), the United States ($11M) and Italy ($4.5M). World exports came to about $49M, 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 380910?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 380910 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($9.6M, 14% of world imports), Slovakia ($5.9M) and Portugal ($5.0M). World imports came to about $68M, 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 380910 structured?
HS code 380910 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) 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 380910?
Brazil splits HS code 380910 into 2 NCM codes: 3809.10.10 (Starch-based finishing agents for textiles), 3809.10.90 (Other starch-based finishing agents). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.