HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3809.92 – Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the paper industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances)
HS code 3809.92 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 the paper industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances). It is used for synthetic sizing agents for paper, retention aids, wet strength resins, synthetic coating binders and optical brightening agents for paper.
What HS 3809.92 covers
This HS code covers finishing agents and dye carriers used in the paper industry, specifically those not based on amylaceous substances. These chemical preparations are critical for enhancing various properties of paper and paperboard, including strength, printability, water resistance, surface smoothness, and optical characteristics. They are indispensable for producing a wide array of paper products, from packaging materials to high-quality printing papers. Key participants in this trade are chemical suppliers to the pulp and paper industry, paper mills, and packaging manufacturers worldwide. Important considerations include environmental impact, specific paper grades (e.g., coated, uncoated, specialty), and regulatory compliance, especially for food contact materials, driving demand for efficient and sustainable solutions.
- Covers
- Synthetic sizing agents for paper
- Retention aids
- Wet strength resins
- Synthetic coating binders
- Optical brightening agents for paper
- Defoamers for paper production
- Surface sizing polymers
- Examples
- Kemira FennoSize
- Solenis Hercobond
- BASF Basoplast
- Dow Coating Materials
- Nalco Water
Codes often confused with 3809.92
Common mistake. Can be confused with 380910 if the non-amylaceous basis is overlooked, or with 380991/380993 if the specific industry (paper) is not correctly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 380992, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 380992 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.4% 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 $110M 12% of world exports
- 2 United States $107M 12% of world exports
- 3 Norway $96M 10% of world exports
World total: $922M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $89M 9.4% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $58M 6.1% of world imports
- 3 China $53M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $942M 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 3809.92 3
Brazil splits HS 3809.92 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3809.92.1 Waterproofing agentsImpermeabilizantes Group
- 3809.92.11 Paraffin or fatty acid paper waterproofersÀ base de parafina ou de derivados de ácidos graxos (gordos)
- 3809.92.19 Other paper waterproofing agentsOutros
- 3809.92.90 Other paper 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 3809.92
What is HS code 380992?
HS code 380992 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 the paper industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances). This HS code covers finishing agents and dye carriers used in the paper industry, specifically those not based on amylaceous substances. These chemical preparations are critical for enhancing various properties of paper and paperboard, including strength, printability, water resistance, surface smoothness, and optical characteristics. They are indispensable for producing a wide array of paper products, from packaging materials to high-quality printing papers. Key participants in this trade are chemical suppliers to the pulp and paper industry, paper mills, and packaging manufacturers worldwide. Important considerations include environmental impact, specific paper grades (e.g., coated, uncoated, specialty), and regulatory compliance, especially for food contact materials, driving demand for efficient and sustainable solutions.
What products fall under HS code 380992?
Synthetic sizing agents for paper, Retention aids, Wet strength resins, Synthetic coating binders, Optical brightening agents for paper, Defoamers for paper production, Surface sizing polymers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 380992?
Can be confused with 380910 if the non-amylaceous basis is overlooked, or with 380991/380993 if the specific industry (paper) is not correctly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 380992?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 380992 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($110M, 12% of world exports), the United States ($107M) and Norway ($96M). World exports came to about $922M, 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 380992?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 380992 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($89M, 9.4% of world imports), Indonesia ($58M) and China ($53M). World imports came to about $942M, 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 380992 structured?
HS code 380992 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 (92) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 380992?
Brazil splits HS code 380992 into 3 NCM codes: 3809.92.11 (Paraffin or fatty acid paper waterproofers), 3809.92.19 (Other paper waterproofing agents), 3809.92.90 (Other paper finishing agents). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.