HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3810.10 – Pickling preparations for metal surfaces; soldering, brazing or welding powders and pastes consisting of metal and other materials
HS code 3810.10 is the 6-digit subheading for pickling preparations for metal surfaces, soldering, brazing or welding powders and pastes consisting of metal and other materials. It is used for hydrochloric acid pickling solutions, sulfuric acid pickling solutions, phosphoric acid pickling gels, tin-lead solder paste and lead-free solder paste.
What HS 3810.10 covers
This HS code covers pickling preparations for metal surfaces, along with soldering, brazing, or welding powders and pastes that consist of both metal and other materials. Pickling agents are acidic solutions used to remove oxides, scale, and impurities from metal surfaces, preparing them for subsequent processes like plating, painting, or welding. The metal-containing powders and pastes are crucial for creating strong metallurgical bonds in various joining applications, particularly in electronics and metal fabrication. Key players in this trade include chemical manufacturers, metal fabrication shops, electronics manufacturers, and the automotive industry. Important considerations are safety protocols for handling corrosive chemicals, environmental regulations, and the specific metal types being processed or joined.
- Covers
- Hydrochloric acid pickling solutions
- Sulfuric acid pickling solutions
- Phosphoric acid pickling gels
- Tin-lead solder paste
- Lead-free solder paste
- Silver brazing paste
- Aluminum welding powder
- Examples
- Kester Solder Paste
- Indium Corporation Solder Paste
- Alpha Assembly Solutions
- Henkel Loctite
- Chemetall Ardrox
Codes often confused with 3810.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with 381090 if the preparations are purely fluxes without metal content, as 381090 covers fluxes and auxiliary preparations without metal.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 381010, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 381010 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Philippines, 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 $222M 15% of world exports
- 2 Japan $215M 14% of world exports
- 3 China $171M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Philippines $209M 12% of world imports
- 2 China $173M 10% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$162M 9.5% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.7B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 3810.10 2
Brazil splits HS 3810.10 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3810.10.10 Metal pickling preparationsPreparações para decapagem de metais
- 3810.10.20 Soldering and welding pastes and powdersPastas e pós para soldar
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.10 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3810.10
What is HS code 381010?
HS code 381010 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Pickling preparations for metal surfaces; soldering, brazing or welding powders and pastes consisting of metal and other materials. This HS code covers pickling preparations for metal surfaces, along with soldering, brazing, or welding powders and pastes that consist of both metal and other materials. Pickling agents are acidic solutions used to remove oxides, scale, and impurities from metal surfaces, preparing them for subsequent processes like plating, painting, or welding. The metal-containing powders and pastes are crucial for creating strong metallurgical bonds in various joining applications, particularly in electronics and metal fabrication. Key players in this trade include chemical manufacturers, metal fabrication shops, electronics manufacturers, and the automotive industry. Important considerations are safety protocols for handling corrosive chemicals, environmental regulations, and the specific metal types being processed or joined.
What products fall under HS code 381010?
Hydrochloric acid pickling solutions, Sulfuric acid pickling solutions, Phosphoric acid pickling gels, Tin-lead solder paste, Lead-free solder paste, Silver brazing paste, Aluminum welding powder
What are common misclassifications for HS code 381010?
Can be confused with 381090 if the preparations are purely fluxes without metal content, as 381090 covers fluxes and auxiliary preparations without metal.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 381010?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 381010 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($222M, 15% of world exports), Japan ($215M) and China ($171M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 381010?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 381010 in UN Comtrade data were the Philippines ($209M, 12% of world imports), China ($173M) and Vietnam (about $162M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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.
How is HS code 381010 structured?
HS code 381010 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) 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 381010?
Brazil splits HS code 381010 into 2 NCM codes: 3810.10.10 (Metal pickling preparations), 3810.10.20 (Soldering and welding pastes and powders). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.