Product classification
HS code for Butane lighter fuel: 3606.10
Fuels, liquid or liquefied-gas, in containers, of a kind used for filling or refilling cigarette or similar lighters and of a capacity not exceeding 300cm3.
Classification of butane lighter fuel under HS 3606.10
Butane lighter fuel is classified under HS code 3606.10 based on its specific packaging and intended use. While butane itself is a hydrocarbon, the Harmonized System provides a specific provision in Chapter 36 for "ferro-cerium and other pyrophoric alloys in all forms; articles of combustible materials as specified in Note 2 to this Chapter." Note 2(a) to Chapter 36 explicitly includes liquid or liquefied-gas fuels in containers of a kind used for filling or refilling cigarette or similar lighters and of a capacity not exceeding 300 cm3. This is a "use-and-container" based classification that overrides the general chemical classification in Chapters 27 or 29. The 300 cm3 volume limit is a strict threshold; if the container exceeds this volume, the product can no longer be classified under 3606.10 and must be classified according to its chemical nature, usually as a fuel in Chapter 27.
- Covers
- Butane gas canisters for cigarette lighters
- Liquefied gas refills for pocket lighters
- Small pressurized containers of butane fuel (<= 300 cm3)
- Refill cylinders for kitchen lighters
- Also under 3606.10
- Zippo Premium Lighter Fluid
- Ronsonol Lighter Fluid
- Clipper Butane Gas
- Colibri Butane
- Newport Zero Butane
Codes often confused with 3606.10
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is 2711.13, which covers liquefied butane in bulk or larger containers. Importers often default to 2711 because it describes the substance, but they fail to account for the specific packaging rule in Chapter 36. Another error is 2901.10, which is for pure chemical butane; however, lighter fuel is rarely pure enough for Chapter 29 and, even if it were, the packaging for lighters forces it into 3606.10. Finally, it should not be confused with 9613, which covers the lighters themselves.
Top exporters and importers of HS 360610 (the code used for butane lighter fuel), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 360610 (the code used for butane lighter fuel) in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% of world imports. The United Kingdom reports $143M of its chapter 36 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 360610, not only butane lighter fuel.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Poland $10M 13% of world exports
- 2 China $10M 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $8.8M 12% of world exports
World total: $76M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $8.7M 12% of world imports
- 2 Germany $6.9M 9.4% of world imports
- 3 France $4.8M 6.6% of world imports
The United Kingdom reports $143M of its chapter 36 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $74M 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 butane lighter fuel
Brazil classifies butane lighter fuel under NCM 3606.10.00: HS 3606.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about butane lighter fuel
What is the HS code for Butane lighter fuel?
The HS code for Butane lighter fuel is 360610 (Fuels; liquid or liquefied-gas, in containers, of a kind used for filling or refilling cigarette or similar lighters and of a capacity not exceeding 300cm3). The HS code is 3606.10, provided the container capacity does not exceed 300 cm3.
How do I classify Butane lighter fuel for customs?
Butane lighter fuel is classified under HS code 360610 — Fuels; liquid or liquefied-gas, in containers, of a kind used for filling or refilling cigarette or similar lighters and of a capacity not exceeding 300cm3. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What happens if the butane refill is 500 ml?
If the container exceeds 300 cm3 (approx. 300 ml), it is classified under 2711.13 as liquefied butane fuel rather than 3606.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of butane lighter fuel (HS 360610)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 360610 (the code used for butane lighter fuel) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($10M, 13% of world exports), China ($10M) and the United States ($8.8M). World exports came to about $76M, 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 butane lighter fuel (HS 360610)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 360610 (the code used for butane lighter fuel) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($8.7M, 12% of world imports), Germany ($6.9M) and France ($4.8M). World imports came to about $74M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United Kingdom reports $143M of its chapter 36 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Butane lighter fuel the same in all countries?
The base HS code 360610 for Butane lighter fuel 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 butane lighter fuel in Brazil?
In Brazil, butane lighter fuel (HS 360610) is classified under NCM 3606.10.00.