Product classification
HS code for Clinical waste: 3825.30
Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, clinical waste.
Classification of clinical waste under HS 3825.30
Clinical waste is classified under HS code 3825.30, which is situated within Chapter 38 for miscellaneous chemical products. This classification is specifically designated for waste products arising from medical research, diagnosis, treatment, or other medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary procedures. The classification logic is based on the hazardous nature of the material rather than its specific chemical composition. Clinical waste often contains pathogens, toxins, or biological contaminants that pose a risk to public health and the environment. Under the Harmonized System, this code is essential for tracking the transboundary movement of biohazardous materials, often in alignment with the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes. The items classified here are typically those that require specialized disposal methods, such as incineration or sterilization, and cannot be treated as standard municipal waste. It is important to note that this code applies to the waste stream itself, which may consist of a mixture of materials like plastics, glass, and organic matter, all of which have become 'clinical waste' through contamination.
- Covers
- Contaminated surgical drapes and gowns
- Used bandages and dressings
- Pathological waste (organs and body parts)
- Used syringes and needles (sharps)
- Microbiological cultures and stocks
- Blood-soaked materials from medical procedures
- Also under 3825.30
- Red bag waste from hospitals
- used syringes from clinics
- laboratory biohazard waste
- expired medications from pharmacies
- surgical waste from operating rooms
Codes often confused with 3825.30
Common mistake. Clinical waste is often misclassified under HS code 3825.10, which is for municipal waste. While both are waste products, clinical waste is distinguished by its infectious or hazardous nature. Another common misclassification occurs with HS code 3006.92, which covers waste pharmaceuticals. Waste pharmaceuticals are specifically expired or unused medicines, whereas 3825.30 covers the broader category of biohazardous waste generated during medical practice. Additionally, plastic medical components that are not contaminated should be classified under Chapter 39 rather than as clinical waste.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382530 (the code used for clinical waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382530 (the code used for clinical waste) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 93% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 39% 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 382530, not only clinical waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $34M 93% of world exports
- 2 Finland $1.0M 2.7% of world exports
- 3 Canada $672K 1.8% of world exports
World total: $36M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $920K 39% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $177K 7.5% of world imports
- 3 Denmark $151K 6.4% of world imports
World total: $2.4M 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 clinical waste
Brazil classifies clinical waste under NCM 3825.30.00: HS 3825.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about clinical waste
What is the HS code for Clinical waste?
The HS code for Clinical waste is 382530 (Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; clinical waste). The HS code for clinical waste generated from medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary procedures is 3825.30.
How do I classify Clinical waste for customs?
Clinical waste is classified under HS code 382530 — Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; clinical waste. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are expired medicines classified as clinical waste?
No, expired medicines are classified under HS code 3006.92 as waste pharmaceuticals. HS code 3825.30 is reserved for biohazardous waste like used dressings or contaminated sharps.
Which countries are the top exporters of clinical waste (HS 382530)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382530 (the code used for clinical waste) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($34M, 93% of world exports), Finland ($1.0M) and Canada ($672K). World exports came to about $36M, 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 clinical waste (HS 382530)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382530 (the code used for clinical waste) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($920K, 39% of world imports), Malaysia ($177K) and Denmark ($151K). World imports came to about $2.4M, 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 Clinical waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382530 for Clinical waste 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 clinical waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, clinical waste (HS 382530) is classified under NCM 3825.30.00.