HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 38.24 – Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included
What HS 38.24 covers
Heading 3824 serves as a crucial 'catch-all' within Chapter 38 for a wide array of chemical products and preparations not explicitly covered by more specific headings in the Harmonized System. This classification encompasses prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores, alongside diverse chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries, including those consisting of mixtures of natural products. The defining characteristic is their 'not elsewhere specified or included' nature, making it a critical point of classification for complex chemical mixtures, industrial auxiliaries, and various formulated products that don't fit neatly into specific organic (Chapter 29) or inorganic (Chapter 28) chemical categories, nor into more specific Chapter 34 (soaps, waxes) or Chapter 35 (glues, enzymes) headings. Its scope is incredibly broad, covering everything from highly specialized industrial catalysts and laboratory reagents to common household chemical mixtures like antifreeze or brake fluid, provided they are not specifically named elsewhere. For trade compliance, accurate classification under 3824 is paramount to avoid misdeclaration, which can lead to customs delays, penalties, or incorrect duty assessments. Given the vast range of products, proper documentation detailing chemical composition and intended use is essential. Historically, this heading has adapted to technological advancements, accommodating new chemical formulations and applications across diverse sectors, including automotive, construction, electronics, and environmental industries, reflecting the dynamic nature of chemical innovation within Section VI of the HS nomenclature.
- Covers
- Prepared binders for foundry moulds
- Prepared binders for foundry cores
- Chemical additives for concrete
- Anti-scaling agents
- Fire retardant mixtures (non-specific)
- Brake fluid
- Antifreeze preparations
- Hydraulic transmission fluids (non-petroleum)
- Laboratory reagents (mixtures)
- Water treatment chemicals
- Activated carbon mixtures
- Descaling preparations
- Ion-exchange resins mixtures
- Certain petroleum additives
- Diagnostic reagents (non-medical)
- Certain photographic chemical preparations
- Industrial cleaning preparations (mixtures)
- Mixtures of odoriferous substances for industrial use
- Enzyme preparations (not elsewhere specified)
- Metal treatment preparations
- Certain glues and adhesives (mixtures)
- Certain cosmetic bases and preparations
- Cooling lubricants
- Anti-rust preparations
- Anti-corrosion preparations.
- Examples
A German specialty chemical producer exports a proprietary blend of concrete additives (a prepared binder for construction) to a major infrastructure project in the United States, shipped in bulk containers via transatlantic ocean freight. Separately, a Japanese company supplies a complex mixture of laboratory reagents for analytical testing to research institutions across Southeast Asia, often via air cargo due to sensitivity and value. An Indian manufacturer imports a specific anti-scaling chemical preparation from Switzerland for use in industrial boilers, transported by sea and then inland by truck. A US firm exports a concentrated industrial cleaning preparation to Mexico for use in automotive manufacturing plants, typically transported by truck across the border. Finally, a Brazilian company imports a specialized mixture of petroleum additives from a European supplier to enhance fuel performance, transported by bulk liquid cargo ship.
Subheadings under 38.24 17
Codes often confused with 38.24
Common mistake. A common mistake is classifying pure chemical compounds or specific mixtures that have their own dedicated HS codes in Chapter 28 or 29 under 3824. For instance, a pure organic chemical used as an intermediate should be in Chapter 29, not 3824. Another error involves misclassifying products that have specific functions and are covered in other chapters, such as certain cleaning preparations (3402), glues (3506), or medicaments (3004). The 'not elsewhere specified or included' clause is critical; if a product clearly fits a more specific heading, it must be classified there. Traders often fail to provide sufficient compositional detail to differentiate complex mixtures, leading customs authorities to default to less specific headings or challenge classifications.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 3824, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 3824 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 China $7.6B 14% of world exports
- 2 Germany $6.6B 12% of world exports
- 3 United States $5.6B 11% of world exports
World total: $53.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $7.3B 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $6.3B 12% of world imports
- 3 Germany $3.4B 6.2% of world imports
World total: $54.0B 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.
Questions about HS 38.24
What is HS code 3824?
HS code 3824 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included. Heading 3824 serves as a crucial 'catch-all' within Chapter 38 for a wide array of chemical products and preparations not explicitly covered by more specific headings in the Harmonized System. This classification encompasses prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores, alongside diverse chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries, including those consisting of mixtures of natural products. The defining characteristic is their 'not elsewhere specified or included' nature, making it a critical point of classification for complex chemical mixtures, industrial auxiliaries, and various formulated products that don't fit neatly into specific organic (Chapter 29) or inorganic (Chapter 28) chemical categories, nor into more specific Chapter 34 (soaps, waxes) or Chapter 35 (glues, enzymes) headings. Its scope is incredibly broad, covering everything from highly specialized industrial catalysts and laboratory reagents to common household chemical mixtures like antifreeze or brake fluid, provided they are not specifically named elsewhere. For trade compliance, accurate classification under 3824 is paramount to avoid misdeclaration, which can lead to customs delays, penalties, or incorrect duty assessments. Given the vast range of products, proper documentation detailing chemical composition and intended use is essential. Historically, this heading has adapted to technological advancements, accommodating new chemical formulations and applications across diverse sectors, including automotive, construction, electronics, and environmental industries, reflecting the dynamic nature of chemical innovation within Section VI of the HS nomenclature.
What products fall under HS code 3824?
Prepared binders for foundry moulds, prepared binders for foundry cores, chemical additives for concrete, anti-scaling agents, fire retardant mixtures (non-specific), brake fluid, antifreeze preparations, hydraulic transmission fluids (non-petroleum), laboratory reagents (mixtures), water treatment chemicals, activated carbon mixtures, descaling preparations, ion-exchange resins mixtures, certain petroleum additives, diagnostic reagents (non-medical), certain photographic chemical preparations, industrial cleaning preparations (mixtures), mixtures of odoriferous substances for industrial use, enzyme preparations (not elsewhere specified), metal treatment preparations, certain glues and adhesives (mixtures), certain cosmetic bases and preparations, cooling lubricants, anti-rust preparations, anti-corrosion preparations.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 3824?
A common mistake is classifying pure chemical compounds or specific mixtures that have their own dedicated HS codes in Chapter 28 or 29 under 3824. For instance, a pure organic chemical used as an intermediate should be in Chapter 29, not 3824. Another error involves misclassifying products that have specific functions and are covered in other chapters, such as certain cleaning preparations (3402), glues (3506), or medicaments (3004). The 'not elsewhere specified or included' clause is critical; if a product clearly fits a more specific heading, it must be classified there. Traders often fail to provide sufficient compositional detail to differentiate complex mixtures, leading customs authorities to default to less specific headings or challenge classifications.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 3824?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 3824 in UN Comtrade data were China ($7.6B, 14% of world exports), Germany ($6.6B) and the United States ($5.6B). World exports came to about $53.0B, 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 3824?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 3824 in UN Comtrade data were China ($7.3B, 14% of world imports), the United States ($6.3B) and Germany ($3.4B). World imports came to about $54.0B, 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 3824 structured?
HS code 3824 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 38 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (24) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.