Product classification
HS code for Cement additives: 3824.40
Cements, mortars or concretes, their prepared additives.
Classification of cement additives under HS 3824.40
Cement additives are classified under HS code 3824.40. This code is located within Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3824 is a broad category for chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries that are not specified elsewhere in the nomenclature. Subheading 3824.40 is specifically dedicated to prepared additives for cements, mortars, or concretes. These additives are chemical formulations designed to modify the physical properties of cementitious mixes, such as improving workability, accelerating or retarding the setting time, or increasing water resistance. To fall under this classification, the product must be a 'prepared' additive, which typically means it is a mixture of multiple substances or a single substance that has been specifically processed for this industrial application. This distinguishes them from raw minerals or basic chemicals found in earlier chapters. The classification is vital for the construction chemicals industry, as it separates functional additives from the bulk cement itself and from simple chemical compounds.
- Covers
- Concrete plasticizers and superplasticizers
- Set accelerators and retarders
- Air-entraining agents for concrete
- Waterproofing admixtures for mortar
- Hardening accelerators for cement
- Also under 3824.40
- Sika Admixtures
- BASF Master Builders Solutions
- GCP Applied Technologies Admixtures
- Chryso Admixtures
- Fosroc Admixtures
Codes often confused with 3824.40
Common mistake. Cement additives are often misclassified under HS code 2523.90, which is for finished hydraulic cements. However, additives are chemicals added to cement, not the cement itself. They can also be confused with heading 3816, which covers refractory cements and mortars. If the additive is a single chemically defined compound (like pure calcium chloride), it should be classified in Chapter 28 instead of 3824.40.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382440 (the code used for cement additives), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382440 (the code used for cement additives) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 4.3% 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 382440, not only cement additives.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $388M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $244M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $175M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $90M 4.3% of world imports
- 2 United States $76M 3.6% of world imports
- 3 India $58M 2.8% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 cement additives
Brazil classifies cement additives under NCM 3824.40.00: HS 3824.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cement additives
What is the HS code for Cement additives?
The HS code for Cement additives is 382440 (Cements, mortars or concretes; their prepared additives). The HS code for prepared additives for cements, mortars, or concretes is 3824.40.
How do I classify Cement additives for customs?
Cement additives is classified under HS code 382440 — Cements, mortars or concretes; their prepared additives. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are grinding aids for cement manufacture included here?
Yes, chemical preparations used as grinding aids during the cement production process are generally classified under 3824.40 as prepared additives.
Which countries are the top exporters of cement additives (HS 382440)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382440 (the code used for cement additives) in UN Comtrade data were China ($388M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($244M) and Italy ($175M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 cement additives (HS 382440)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382440 (the code used for cement additives) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($90M, 4.3% of world imports), the United States ($76M) and India ($58M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 Cement additives the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382440 for Cement additives 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 cement additives in Brazil?
In Brazil, cement additives (HS 382440) is classified under NCM 3824.40.00.