Product classification
HS code for Bone char: 3802.90
Chemical products, activated natural mineral products, animal black, including spent animal black.
Classification of bone char under HS 3802.90
Bone char, also known as animal black, is classified under HS code 3802.90. This code covers activated natural mineral products and animal black, including spent animal black. Bone char is produced by the carbonization of animal bones in a low-oxygen environment, resulting in a porous material consisting primarily of tricalcium phosphate and carbon. It is widely used in industrial processes such as sugar refining for decolorization and in water treatment for the removal of fluoride and heavy metals. The classification falls under Chapter 38 for miscellaneous chemical products. Specifically, heading 38.02 distinguishes between activated carbon (3802.10) and other activated natural mineral products or animal blacks (3802.90). Since bone char is derived from animal matter rather than vegetable or mineral carbon, it is categorized under the .90 subheading.
- Covers
- Animal black (bone charcoal)
- Spent animal black (used bone char)
- Ivory black (pigment grade bone char)
- Bone black for water filtration
- Granular bone char for sugar refining
- Also under 3802.90
- Calgon Carbon (activated carbon)
- Cabot Corporation (carbon black)
- Clariant (bleaching earths)
- BASF (adsorbents)
- Arkema (molecular sieves)
Codes often confused with 3802.90
Common mistake. Bone char is frequently misclassified under HS code 3802.10, which is reserved for activated carbon (usually of vegetable or mineral origin, like coconut shell or coal). While both are used for filtration, the animal origin of bone char requires the 3802.90 designation. It is also sometimes incorrectly classified under 0506.90, which covers unworked or simply prepared bones; however, once the bone has been carbonized into char, it is considered a chemical product of Chapter 38.
Top exporters and importers of HS 380290 (the code used for bone char), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380290 (the code used for bone char) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 9.0% 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 380290, not only bone char.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $105M 11% of world exports
- 2 Germany $102M 11% of world exports
- 3 Greece $102M 11% of world exports
World total: $917M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $89M 9.0% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $81M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 United States $63M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $988M 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 bone char
Brazil splits HS 3802.90 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3802.90.10Activated siliceous fossil meals
- 3802.90.20Activated bentonite
- 3802.90.30Activated attapulgite
- 3802.90.40Other activated clays and earths
- 3802.90.50Activated bauxite
- 3802.90.90Other activated minerals; animal black
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bone char
What is the HS code for Bone char?
The HS code for Bone char is 380290 (Chemical products; activated natural mineral products, animal black, including spent animal black). The HS code for bone char, animal black, and spent animal black is 3802.90.
How do I classify Bone char for customs?
Bone char is classified under HS code 380290 — Chemical products; activated natural mineral products, animal black, including spent animal black. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is bone char the same as activated carbon in the HS system?
No. While they serve similar functions, activated carbon is classified under 3802.10, while bone char (animal black) is classified under 3802.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of bone char (HS 380290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380290 (the code used for bone char) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($105M, 11% of world exports), Germany ($102M) and Greece ($102M). World exports came to about $917M, 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 bone char (HS 380290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 380290 (the code used for bone char) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($89M, 9.0% of world imports), Thailand ($81M) and the United States ($63M). World imports came to about $988M, 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 Bone char the same in all countries?
The base HS code 380290 for Bone char 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 bone char in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 380290 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for bone char depends on the product's details: 3802.90.10 (Activated siliceous fossil meals), 3802.90.20 (Activated bentonite), 3802.90.30 (Activated attapulgite), 3802.90.40 (Other activated clays and earths), 3802.90.50 (Activated bauxite), 3802.90.90 (Other activated minerals; animal black).