Product classification
HS code for Ammonium thiocyanate: 2842.90
Salts, of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, other than double or complex silicates, including aluminosilicates, whether or not chemically, excluding azides.
Classification of ammonium thiocyanate under HS 2842.90
Ammonium thiocyanate, also known as ammonium rhodanide, is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4SCN. It is classified under HS code 2842.90. Heading 2842 is designated for \"other salts of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, other than double or complex silicates, including aluminosilicates, whether or not chemically, excluding azides.\" Thiocyanates are salts of thiocyanic acid (HSCN). Since thiocyanic acid is considered an inorganic acid in the context of the HS nomenclature, its salts are placed in Chapter 28. Subheading 2842.90 serves as the \"other\" category for salts that do not have a more specific dedicated subheading within the 2842 group. This classification is based on the chemical identity of the ammonium cation paired with the thiocyanate anion. The product is frequently used in the textile industry for dyeing and printing, in photography as a stabilizer, and in the metal industry for etching and as a corrosion inhibitor. It is essential to ensure the product is not an organo-sulfur compound, which would lead to a classification in Chapter 29; however, as an inorganic salt, it remains in 2842.90. The classification is supported by Chapter 28 Note 1, which includes separate chemically defined compounds even if they contain impurities or are dissolved in water.
- Covers
- Ammonium thiocyanate crystals
- Ammonium rhodanide
- Ammonium sulfocyanate
- Aqueous solutions of ammonium thiocyanate
- Technical grade ammonium thiocyanate
- Also under 2842.90
- Solvay (sodium carbonate)
- K+S (potassium chloride)
- Dow Chemical (calcium chloride)
- BASF (ammonium sulfate)
- Compass Minerals (magnesium sulfate)
Codes often confused with 2842.90
Common mistake. Ammonium thiocyanate is often confused with HS code 2837.20, which covers complex cyanides. While thiocyanates contain the -SCN group, they are distinct from the complex cyanides like ferrocyanides or ferricyanides. Another common misclassification is 2930.90, which covers organo-sulfur compounds. Because ammonium thiocyanate is an inorganic salt of an inorganic acid, it must remain in Chapter 28. Finally, it is sometimes incorrectly placed in 2833.29 (other sulphates) due to the presence of sulfur, but the thiocyanate structure is chemically distinct from the sulphate structure.
Top exporters and importers of HS 284290 (the code used for ammonium thiocyanate), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 284290 (the code used for ammonium thiocyanate) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 85% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 71% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 284290, not only ammonium thiocyanate.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $2.8B 85% of world exports
- 2 Germany $149M 4.6% of world exports
- 3 Canada $67M 2.0% of world exports
World total: $3.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.9B 71% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $146M 5.4% of world imports
- 3 United States $126M 4.7% of world imports
World total: $2.7B 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 ammonium thiocyanate
Brazil classifies ammonium thiocyanate under NCM 2842.90.00: HS 2842.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about ammonium thiocyanate
What is the HS code for Ammonium thiocyanate?
The HS code for Ammonium thiocyanate is 284290 (Salts; of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, other than double or complex silicates, including aluminosilicates, whether or not chemically, excluding azides). The HS code for ammonium thiocyanate is 2842.90, which covers other salts of inorganic acids.
How do I classify Ammonium thiocyanate for customs?
Ammonium thiocyanate is classified under HS code 284290 — Salts; of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, other than double or complex silicates, including aluminosilicates, whether or not chemically, excluding azides. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ammonium thiocyanate used in the mining industry?
Yes, it is used in certain hydrometallurgical processes for the extraction of precious metals, though it must still be classified under 2842.90 regardless of this industrial application.
Which countries are the top exporters of ammonium thiocyanate (HS 284290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 284290 (the code used for ammonium thiocyanate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.8B, 85% of world exports), Germany ($149M) and Canada ($67M). World exports came to about $3.3B, 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 ammonium thiocyanate (HS 284290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 284290 (the code used for ammonium thiocyanate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.9B, 71% of world imports), Indonesia ($146M) and the United States ($126M). World imports came to about $2.7B, 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.
Is the HS code for Ammonium thiocyanate the same in all countries?
The base HS code 284290 for Ammonium thiocyanate is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for ammonium thiocyanate in Brazil?
In Brazil, ammonium thiocyanate (HS 284290) is classified under NCM 2842.90.00.