HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3825.69 – Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered by 27.10); other wastes n.e.c. in 3825; except those mainly containing organic constituents
HS code 3825.69 is the 6-digit subheading for residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered by 27.10), other wastes n.e.c. in 3825, except those mainly containing organic constituents. It is used for acidic waste solutions, spent inorganic catalysts, heavy metal sludges, inorganic salt residues and mineral processing tailings.
What HS 3825.69 covers
This category covers residual products from the chemical or allied industries that are primarily inorganic, excluding municipal waste, sewage sludge, or petroleum waste. It's a vital classification for managing waste streams from industries such as metallurgy, mining, inorganic chemical production, and electronics manufacturing. International trade in these materials is driven by the need for safe disposal, treatment, or the recovery of valuable metals and minerals. Companies involved include specialized waste processors, metal refiners, and chemical producers. Environmental regulations, particularly concerning heavy metals and hazardous inorganic compounds, heavily influence trade routes and processing methods. The focus is often on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing resource efficiency through advanced recycling and recovery technologies.
- Covers
- Acidic waste solutions
- Spent inorganic catalysts
- Heavy metal sludges
- Inorganic salt residues
- Mineral processing tailings
- Non-organic laboratory waste
- Electroplating waste.
- Examples
- Rio Tinto mining waste
- Johnson Matthey spent catalysts
- Solvay inorganic chemical residues
- Umicore metal recovery waste.
Codes often confused with 3825.69
Common mistake. Often confused with 382561 (organic chemical waste) due to the broad 'chemical waste' category, or 382590 for general 'other wastes' if the inorganic nature isn't clearly defined. Specific hazardous wastes might also fall under other chapters if they have a more precise classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 382569, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 382569 in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 29% 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 Mexico $6.8M 21% of world exports
- 2 Canada $5.5M 17% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $3.8M 12% of world exports
World total: $32M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $12M 29% of world imports
- 2 United States $12M 29% of world imports
- 3 France $4.2M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $43M 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 3825.69
Brazil does not split HS 3825.69: its NCM code is 3825.69.00.
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 3825.69
What is HS code 382569?
HS code 382569 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered by 27.10); other wastes n.e.c. in 3825; except those mainly containing organic constituents. This category covers residual products from the chemical or allied industries that are primarily inorganic, excluding municipal waste, sewage sludge, or petroleum waste. It's a vital classification for managing waste streams from industries such as metallurgy, mining, inorganic chemical production, and electronics manufacturing. International trade in these materials is driven by the need for safe disposal, treatment, or the recovery of valuable metals and minerals. Companies involved include specialized waste processors, metal refiners, and chemical producers. Environmental regulations, particularly concerning heavy metals and hazardous inorganic compounds, heavily influence trade routes and processing methods. The focus is often on minimizing environmental impact while maximizing resource efficiency through advanced recycling and recovery technologies.
What products fall under HS code 382569?
Acidic waste solutions, spent inorganic catalysts, heavy metal sludges, inorganic salt residues, mineral processing tailings, non-organic laboratory waste, electroplating waste.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 382569?
Often confused with 382561 (organic chemical waste) due to the broad 'chemical waste' category, or 382590 for general 'other wastes' if the inorganic nature isn't clearly defined. Specific hazardous wastes might also fall under other chapters if they have a more precise classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 382569?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 382569 in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($6.8M, 21% of world exports), Canada ($5.5M) and Belgium ($3.8M). World exports came to about $32M, 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 382569?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 382569 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($12M, 29% of world imports), the United States ($12M) and France ($4.2M). World imports came to about $43M, 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 382569 structured?
HS code 382569 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 (69) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 382569?
In Brazil, HS code 382569 is NCM 3825.69.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.