HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3825.50 – Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids
HS code 3825.50 is the 6-digit subheading for residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids. It is used for spent sulfuric acid pickling liquor, waste phosphoric acid pickling liquor, used automotive hydraulic fluid, discarded brake fluid and spent engine coolant (antifreeze).
What HS 3825.50 covers
This specific HS code covers several distinct types of waste fluids: metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, and anti-freeze fluids. These wastes are generated by industries involved in metal processing, automotive maintenance, and heavy machinery operation. Metal pickling liquors are acidic solutions used to clean metal surfaces, while hydraulic, brake, and anti-freeze fluids are essential for vehicle and machinery operation. International trade primarily involves their collection, specialized treatment, and environmentally sound disposal or, in some cases, regeneration. Due to their often hazardous nature (corrosive, toxic, or containing heavy metals), strict environmental regulations and hazardous waste management protocols govern their transboundary movement. Key players include specialized waste treatment companies, metal finishing industries, and automotive service centers.
- Covers
- Spent sulfuric acid pickling liquor
- Waste phosphoric acid pickling liquor
- Used automotive hydraulic fluid
- Discarded brake fluid
- Spent engine coolant (antifreeze)
- Waste industrial hydraulic oil
- Waste transmission fluid
- Examples
- Waste acid baths from steel mills
- used brake fluid from car repair shops
- drained antifreeze from vehicle maintenance
- spent hydraulic oil from heavy machinery
- waste coolant from industrial chillers
Codes often confused with 3825.50
Common mistake. These specific waste streams are distinct from general industrial waste (382590) or other waste organic solvents (382541, 382549). The specific nature of the fluid (pickling liquor, hydraulic, brake, anti-freeze) is the defining characteristic.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 382550, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 382550 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 18% 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 $1.9M 37% of world exports
- 2 United States $987K 19% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $402K 7.8% of world exports
World total: $5.1M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $964K 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $932K 17% of world imports
- 3 Canada $631K 12% of world imports
World total: $5.4M 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 code for 3825.50
Brazil does not split HS 3825.50: its NCM code is 3825.50.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.25 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3825.50
What is HS code 382550?
HS code 382550 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids. This specific HS code covers several distinct types of waste fluids: metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, and anti-freeze fluids. These wastes are generated by industries involved in metal processing, automotive maintenance, and heavy machinery operation. Metal pickling liquors are acidic solutions used to clean metal surfaces, while hydraulic, brake, and anti-freeze fluids are essential for vehicle and machinery operation. International trade primarily involves their collection, specialized treatment, and environmentally sound disposal or, in some cases, regeneration. Due to their often hazardous nature (corrosive, toxic, or containing heavy metals), strict environmental regulations and hazardous waste management protocols govern their transboundary movement. Key players include specialized waste treatment companies, metal finishing industries, and automotive service centers.
What products fall under HS code 382550?
Spent sulfuric acid pickling liquor, waste phosphoric acid pickling liquor, used automotive hydraulic fluid, discarded brake fluid, spent engine coolant (antifreeze), waste industrial hydraulic oil, waste transmission fluid
What are common misclassifications for HS code 382550?
These specific waste streams are distinct from general industrial waste (382590) or other waste organic solvents (382541, 382549). The specific nature of the fluid (pickling liquor, hydraulic, brake, anti-freeze) is the defining characteristic.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 382550?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 382550 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.9M, 37% of world exports), the United States ($987K) and the Netherlands ($402K). World exports came to about $5.1M, 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 382550?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 382550 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($964K, 18% of world imports), Germany ($932K) and Canada ($631K). World imports came to about $5.4M, 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 382550 structured?
HS code 382550 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (25) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 382550?
In Brazil, HS code 382550 is NCM 3825.50.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.