HS Code Heading

Hydraulic brake fluids and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission, not containing or containing less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals

38.19 Heading
Section VI — Products of the chemical or allied industries

About HS Code 3819

Heading 3819 encompasses hydraulic brake fluids and other prepared liquids specifically designed for hydraulic transmission systems. The critical defining characteristic is their composition: they must not contain, or contain less than, 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This distinction is crucial for classification, as fluids exceeding this petroleum threshold would typically fall under Chapter 27. This heading primarily covers synthetic or semi-synthetic hydraulic fluids, including those based on glycols, esters, or silicones, which offer superior performance characteristics like high boiling points, low viscosity at extreme temperatures, and chemical stability, making them ideal for demanding applications. Key sub-categories include various DOT-specified brake fluids (e.g., DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1, but not DOT 5 which is typically silicone-based and also falls here), as well as specialized power steering fluids and other hydraulic transmission liquids used in diverse industries. Classification under 3819 is vital for trade compliance due to varying regulatory standards, safety certifications, and environmental considerations across different jurisdictions. These products are integral to the automotive, aerospace, heavy machinery, and industrial sectors, reflecting significant trade volumes globally. As part of Section VI, this heading highlights the prepared chemical products designed for specific industrial applications, distinguishing them from basic raw materials or petroleum derivatives.

Products Under This Code

DOT 3 brake fluid, DOT 4 brake fluid, DOT 5.1 brake fluid, synthetic power steering fluid, hydraulic clutch fluid, non-petroleum-based hydraulic transmission fluids, silicone-based hydraulic fluids, glycol-ether brake fluids, ester-based hydraulic fluids, aerospace hydraulic fluids, industrial non-mineral oil hydraulic fluids, biodegradable hydraulic fluids, fire-resistant hydraulic fluids, specific automotive hydraulic system fluids, heavy machinery hydraulic fluids, forklift hydraulic fluids, marine hydraulic fluids, agricultural equipment hydraulic fluids, construction equipment hydraulic fluids, liftgate hydraulic fluids, snow plow hydraulic fluids, bicycle hydraulic brake fluids, synthetic central hydraulic fluid.

Real World Examples

A German automotive parts manufacturer exports large quantities of DOT 4 glycol-ether based brake fluid to assembly plants in the United States and Mexico, facilitated by the USMCA agreement. A Japanese aerospace supplier ships specialized ester-based hydraulic fluids for aircraft landing gear systems to maintenance facilities in the European Union via air cargo, adhering to stringent aviation safety regulations. An American chemical company provides biodegradable hydraulic fluids for agricultural machinery to distributors in Brazil, catering to the growing demand for environmentally friendly industrial solutions.

Common Misclassification

Common misclassification errors for heading 3819 often involve confusion with Chapter 27, specifically 2710 (Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals). The critical distinction is the 70% by weight threshold of petroleum oils; if a fluid contains more, it typically falls under 2710. Another mistake is confusing these with 3403 (Lubricating preparations), as some hydraulic fluids also provide lubrication. However, 3819 is specific to liquids for hydraulic transmission. Lastly, 3820 (Anti-freezing preparations) might be mistaken due to similar chemical bases, but 3819 is strictly for hydraulic systems, not primarily anti-freezing.

Subheadings 1

3819.00 Hydraulic fluids; for brakes and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission, not containing or containing less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals

Related Codes

38.01 Artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite; preparations based on graphite or other carbon in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures 38.02 Activated carbon; activated natural mineral products; animal black, including spent animal black 38.03 Tall oil, whether or not refined 38.04 Residual lyes 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 38.05 Gum, wood or sulphate turpentine, other terpenic oils; crude dipentene; sulphite turpentine, other crude para-cymene; pine oil containing alpha-terpineol as the main constituent 38.06 Rosin and resin acids and derivatives thereof; rosin spirit and rosin oils; run gums 38.07 Wood tar; wood tar oils; wood creosote; wood naphtha; vegetable pitch; brewers' pitch and similar preparations based on rosin, resin acids or on vegetable pitch 38.08 Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products, plant growth regulators, disinfectants and the like, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles 38.09 Finishing agents, dye carriers to accelerate the dyeing, fixing of dyestuffs, other products and preparations, of a kind used in the textile, paper, leather or like industries, n.e.c. or included 38.10 Metal-pickling preparations; fluxes etc for soldering, brazing; welding powders, pastes of metal and other materials; preparations used as cores or coatings for welding electrodes or rods

Industry

This code belongs to the Chemicals industry.

Trade Overview

Major importers and exporters of goods under 3819 include countries with significant automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery manufacturing sectors, such as Germany, the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea. Trade is heavily influenced by strict safety and environmental regulations, particularly in the EU and North America. Tariffs can vary, but trade agreements like the USMCA or EU-Japan EPA often facilitate reduced duties for these essential industrial components, promoting cross-border supply chains for vehicle and machinery production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 3819?

HS code 3819 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hydraulic brake fluids and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission, not containing or containing less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. Heading 3819 encompasses hydraulic brake fluids and other prepared liquids specifically designed for hydraulic transmission systems. The critical defining characteristic is their composition: they must not contain, or contain less than, 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This distinction is crucial for classification, as fluids exceeding this petroleum threshold would typically fall under Chapter 27. This heading primarily covers synthetic or semi-synthetic hydraulic fluids, including those based on glycols, esters, or silicones, which offer superior performance characteristics like high boiling points, low viscosity at extreme temperatures, and chemical stability, making them ideal for demanding applications. Key sub-categories include various DOT-specified brake fluids (e.g., DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1, but not DOT 5 which is typically silicone-based and also falls here), as well as specialized power steering fluids and other hydraulic transmission liquids used in diverse industries. Classification under 3819 is vital for trade compliance due to varying regulatory standards, safety certifications, and environmental considerations across different jurisdictions. These products are integral to the automotive, aerospace, heavy machinery, and industrial sectors, reflecting significant trade volumes globally. As part of Section VI, this heading highlights the prepared chemical products designed for specific industrial applications, distinguishing them from basic raw materials or petroleum derivatives.

What products fall under HS code 3819?

DOT 3 brake fluid, DOT 4 brake fluid, DOT 5.1 brake fluid, synthetic power steering fluid, hydraulic clutch fluid, non-petroleum-based hydraulic transmission fluids, silicone-based hydraulic fluids, glycol-ether brake fluids, ester-based hydraulic fluids, aerospace hydraulic fluids, industrial non-mineral oil hydraulic fluids, biodegradable hydraulic fluids, fire-resistant hydraulic fluids, specific automotive hydraulic system fluids, heavy machinery hydraulic fluids, forklift hydraulic fluids, marine hydraulic fluids, agricultural equipment hydraulic fluids, construction equipment hydraulic fluids, liftgate hydraulic fluids, snow plow hydraulic fluids, bicycle hydraulic brake fluids, synthetic central hydraulic fluid.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 3819?

Common misclassification errors for heading 3819 often involve confusion with Chapter 27, specifically 2710 (Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals). The critical distinction is the 70% by weight threshold of petroleum oils; if a fluid contains more, it typically falls under 2710. Another mistake is confusing these with 3403 (Lubricating preparations), as some hydraulic fluids also provide lubrication. However, 3819 is specific to liquids for hydraulic transmission. Lastly, 3820 (Anti-freezing preparations) might be mistaken due to similar chemical bases, but 3819 is strictly for hydraulic systems, not primarily anti-freezing.

Which countries trade the most under HS code 3819?

Major importers and exporters of goods under 3819 include countries with significant automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery manufacturing sectors, such as Germany, the United States, Japan, China, and South Korea. Trade is heavily influenced by strict safety and environmental regulations, particularly in the EU and North America. Tariffs can vary, but trade agreements like the USMCA or EU-Japan EPA often facilitate reduced duties for these essential industrial components, promoting cross-border supply chains for vehicle and machinery production.

How is HS code 3819 structured?

HS code 3819 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 38 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (19) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.