Product classification

HS code for Calcium cyanide: 2837.19

Cyanides and cyanide oxides, other than of sodium.

Classification of calcium cyanide under HS 2837.19

Calcium cyanide is classified under HS code 2837.19, which covers cyanides and cyanide oxides other than those of sodium. This classification is governed by the rules of Chapter 28, which encompasses inorganic chemicals and precious metal compounds. Specifically, heading 2837 is reserved for cyanides, cyanide oxides, and complex cyanides. Within this heading, the Harmonized System distinguishes between sodium cyanide (2837.11) and other inorganic cyanides. Calcium cyanide, represented by the chemical formula Ca(CN)2, is an inorganic salt of hydrocyanic acid. Because it is not a sodium-based cyanide and is not a complex cyanide (such as ferrocyanides), it falls into the residual subheading 2837.19. Classification follows General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 1, which relies on the literal terms of the headings and section notes. To remain in Chapter 28, the product must be a separate chemically defined element or compound, typically in a technical or pure grade, and not prepared as a pesticide or for retail sale in a manner that would move it to Chapter 38.

Covers
  • Technical grade calcium cyanide powder
  • Calcium cyanide flakes used in gold and silver extraction
  • Calcium cyanide granules for industrial chemical synthesis
  • Pure calcium cyanide for laboratory reagents
Also under 2837.19

DuPont Hydrogen Cyanide, BASF Potassium Cyanide, Dr. Paul Lohmann Calcium Cyanide

Codes often confused with 2837.19

Common mistake. Calcium cyanide is frequently confused with sodium cyanide, which is classified under HS code 2837.11. While both are used in mining, the cation (calcium vs. sodium) dictates the specific subheading. Another common error involves complex cyanides, such as calcium ferrocyanide, which are classified under 2837.20. Furthermore, if calcium cyanide is prepared specifically as a rodenticide or pesticide and packaged for retail sale, it may be classified under heading 3808 instead of Chapter 28.

2837.11Cyanides and cyanide oxides; of sodium2837.20Complex cyanides38.08Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products, plant growth regulators, disinfectants and the like, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

Top exporters and importers of HS 283719 (the code used for calcium cyanide), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 283719 (the code used for calcium cyanide) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Philippines, with 25% 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 283719, not only calcium cyanide.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 South Korea $22M
  2. 2 Taiwan* ~$5.5M
  3. 3 Singapore $4.5M

World total: $43M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Philippines $21M
  2. 2 China $13M
  3. 3 India $10M

World total: $83M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 calcium cyanide

Brazil splits HS 2837.19 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about calcium cyanide

What is the HS code for Calcium cyanide?

The HS code for Calcium cyanide is 283719 (Cyanides and cyanide oxides; other than of sodium). The HS code for calcium cyanide is 2837.19, representing other cyanides and cyanide oxides.

How do I classify Calcium cyanide for customs?

Calcium cyanide is classified under HS code 283719 — Cyanides and cyanide oxides; other than of sodium. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is calcium cyanide classified as a fertilizer?

No, calcium cyanide is a highly toxic chemical used primarily in mining and chemical synthesis; it is not used as a fertilizer and should not be confused with calcium cyanamide (3102.90).

Which countries are the top exporters of calcium cyanide (HS 283719)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 283719 (the code used for calcium cyanide) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($22M, 51% of world exports), Taiwan (about $5.5M) and Singapore ($4.5M). World exports 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.

Which countries are the top importers of calcium cyanide (HS 283719)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 283719 (the code used for calcium cyanide) in UN Comtrade data were the Philippines ($21M, 25% of world imports), China ($13M) and India ($10M). World imports came to about $83M, 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 Calcium cyanide the same in all countries?

The base HS code 283719 for Calcium cyanide 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 calcium cyanide in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 283719 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for calcium cyanide depends on the product's details: 2837.19.11 (Potassium cyanide), 2837.19.12 (Zinc cyanide), 2837.19.14 (Cuprous cyanide), 2837.19.15 (Cupric cyanide), 2837.19.19 (Other cyanides), 2837.19.20 (Cyanide oxides (oxycyanides)).