HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 3824.81 – Chemical products, mixtures and preparations; containing goods specified in Subheading Note 3 to this Chapter; containing oxirane (ethylene oxide)

HS code 3824.81 is the 6-digit subheading for chemical products, mixtures and preparations, containing goods specified in Subheading Note 3 to this Chapter, containing oxirane (ethylene oxide). It is used for ethylene oxide-based sterilant mixtures, specialized surface active agent formulations, industrial chemical intermediates (EO-containing), laboratory reagents (EO-containing) and medical device sterilization solutions.

What HS 3824.81 covers

This HS code pertains to chemical products, mixtures, and preparations containing oxirane (ethylene oxide), as specified in Subheading Note 3 to Chapter 38. These are not pure ethylene oxide but formulations where ethylene oxide is a component, often serving as an intermediate or a specialized agent. Due to the hazardous nature of ethylene oxide, trade in these mixtures is highly regulated, requiring strict safety protocols and compliance with international chemical conventions. Importers and exporters are typically specialized chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device sterilizers in industrialized nations like the USA, Germany, and Japan. Key considerations include packaging, transportation regulations for hazardous materials, and end-use restrictions, particularly for sterilization applications or as chemical building blocks in complex syntheses.

Covers: Ethylene oxide-based sterilant mixtures
Specialized surface active agent formulations
Industrial chemical intermediates (EO-containing)
Laboratory reagents (EO-containing)
Medical device sterilization solutions
Examples: Sterigenics EO Sterilization Blends
BASF Ethylene Oxide Derivatives (in mixtures)
Dow Chemical Specialty EO Formulations

Codes often confused with 3824.81

Common mistake. This code is for mixtures containing ethylene oxide, not pure ethylene oxide (2910.10) or its polymers (3907.20), which are distinct classifications. The 'mixture' aspect is critical for correct classification.

2910.10Epoxides, epoxyalcohols, epoxyphenols and epoxyethers; with a three-membered ring and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; oxirane (ethylene oxide)

Top exporters and importers of HS code 382481, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 382481 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 73% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 16% 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 $28M 73% of world exports
2 Belgium $2.6M 6.7% of world exports
3 Malaysia $1.6M 4.1% of world exports

World total: $39M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 Egypt $6.4M 16% of world imports
2 Canada $5.1M 13% of world imports
3 Saudi Arabia $4.4M 11% of world imports

World total: $40M 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 3824.81 2

Brazil splits HS 3824.81 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.24 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Access via API

GET /api/hs-code/382481/

{
  "code": "382481",
  "description": "Chemical products, mixtures and preparations; containing goods specified in Subheading Note 3 to this Chapter; containing oxirane (ethylene oxide)",
  "section": "VI",
  "parent": "3824"
}

API docs →

Questions about HS 3824.81

What is HS code 382481?

HS code 382481 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Chemical products, mixtures and preparations; containing goods specified in Subheading Note 3 to this Chapter; containing oxirane (ethylene oxide). This HS code pertains to chemical products, mixtures, and preparations containing oxirane (ethylene oxide), as specified in Subheading Note 3 to Chapter 38. These are not pure ethylene oxide but formulations where ethylene oxide is a component, often serving as an intermediate or a specialized agent. Due to the hazardous nature of ethylene oxide, trade in these mixtures is highly regulated, requiring strict safety protocols and compliance with international chemical conventions. Importers and exporters are typically specialized chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device sterilizers in industrialized nations like the USA, Germany, and Japan. Key considerations include packaging, transportation regulations for hazardous materials, and end-use restrictions, particularly for sterilization applications or as chemical building blocks in complex syntheses.

What products fall under HS code 382481?

Ethylene oxide-based sterilant mixtures, specialized surface active agent formulations, industrial chemical intermediates (EO-containing), laboratory reagents (EO-containing), medical device sterilization solutions

What are common misclassifications for HS code 382481?

This code is for mixtures containing ethylene oxide, not pure ethylene oxide (2910.10) or its polymers (3907.20), which are distinct classifications. The 'mixture' aspect is critical for correct classification.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 382481?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 382481 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($28M, 73% of world exports), Belgium ($2.6M) and Malaysia ($1.6M). World exports came to about $39M, 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 382481?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 382481 in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($6.4M, 16% of world imports), Canada ($5.1M) and Saudi Arabia ($4.4M). World imports came to about $40M, 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 382481 structured?

HS code 382481 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (24) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (81) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 382481?

Brazil splits HS code 382481 into 2 NCM codes: 3824.81.10 (Propylene oxide with up to 30 % ethylene oxide), 3824.81.90 (Other mixtures containing ethylene oxide). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.