HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3912.20 – Cellulose nitrates (including collodions); in primary forms
HS code 3912.20 is the 6-digit subheading for cellulose nitrates (including collodions), in primary forms. It is used for nitrocellulose flakes, collodion solutions, cellulose nitrate granules, pyroxylin and guncotton base.
What HS 3912.20 covers
Cellulose nitrates, also known as nitrocellulose, are versatile polymers derived from cellulose. In international trade, these primary forms are crucial intermediates for various industries. Key importers include countries with strong manufacturing sectors in coatings, explosives, and printing inks, such as China, Germany, and the United States. Exporters often come from regions with significant chemical production capabilities, like Europe and East Asia. These goods are traded as flakes, granules, or solutions, requiring careful handling due to their flammable nature. Understanding the specific nitrogen content is vital for trade, as it dictates the end-use application, from lacquers and films to propellants and guncotton. The global market for cellulose nitrates is driven by demand in automotive finishes, wood coatings, and specialized adhesives, making it a significant, albeit niche, segment of the polymer trade. Regulatory compliance regarding transport and storage is a major consideration for traders.
- Covers
- Nitrocellulose flakes
- Collodion solutions
- Cellulose nitrate granules
- Pyroxylin
- Guncotton base
- Lacquer-grade nitrocellulose
- Film-grade nitrocellulose
- Examples
- DuPont Nitrocellulose
- Nobel Sport Nitrocellulose
- Hercules Nitrocellulose
- Collodion USP
- Eastman Cellulose Nitrate
Codes often confused with 3912.20
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other cellulose derivatives like 391290 (other cellulose derivatives) if the specific chemical structure isn't clearly identified, or with finished products containing nitrocellulose if not in primary forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 391220, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 391220 in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 Thailand $130M 17% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $130M 17% of world exports
- 3 Germany $120M 15% of world exports
World total: $784M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $139M 18% of world imports
- 2 Canada $76M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 France $66M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $788M 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 3912.20 3
Brazil splits HS 3912.20 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3912.20.10 Filled cellulose nitrates (incl. collodions)Com carga
- 3912.20.2 Without fillerSem carga Group
- 3912.20.21 Cellulose nitrate in alcohol, 65%+ non-volatilesEm álcool, com um teor de não voláteis igual ou superior a 65 %, em peso
- 3912.20.29 Other unfilled cellulose nitratesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 39.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3912.20
What is HS code 391220?
HS code 391220 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cellulose nitrates (including collodions); in primary forms. Cellulose nitrates, also known as nitrocellulose, are versatile polymers derived from cellulose. In international trade, these primary forms are crucial intermediates for various industries. Key importers include countries with strong manufacturing sectors in coatings, explosives, and printing inks, such as China, Germany, and the United States. Exporters often come from regions with significant chemical production capabilities, like Europe and East Asia. These goods are traded as flakes, granules, or solutions, requiring careful handling due to their flammable nature. Understanding the specific nitrogen content is vital for trade, as it dictates the end-use application, from lacquers and films to propellants and guncotton. The global market for cellulose nitrates is driven by demand in automotive finishes, wood coatings, and specialized adhesives, making it a significant, albeit niche, segment of the polymer trade. Regulatory compliance regarding transport and storage is a major consideration for traders.
What products fall under HS code 391220?
Nitrocellulose flakes, Collodion solutions, Cellulose nitrate granules, Pyroxylin, Guncotton base, Lacquer-grade nitrocellulose, Film-grade nitrocellulose
What are common misclassifications for HS code 391220?
This code can be confused with other cellulose derivatives like 391290 (other cellulose derivatives) if the specific chemical structure isn't clearly identified, or with finished products containing nitrocellulose if not in primary forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 391220?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 391220 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($130M, 17% of world exports), Czechia ($130M) and Germany ($120M). World exports came to about $784M, 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 391220?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 391220 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($139M, 18% of world imports), Canada ($76M) and France ($66M). World imports came to about $788M, 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 391220 structured?
HS code 391220 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (39) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 391220?
Brazil splits HS code 391220 into 3 NCM codes: 3912.20.10 (Filled cellulose nitrates (incl. collodions)), 3912.20.21 (Cellulose nitrate in alcohol, 65%+ non-volatiles), 3912.20.29 (Other unfilled cellulose nitrates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.