Product classification
HS code for Compost: 3101.00
Fertilizers, animal or vegetable, whether or not mixed together or chemically treated, fertilizers, produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products.
Classification of compost under HS 3101.00
Compost is classified under HS code 3101.00, which specifically covers fertilizers of animal or vegetable origin. This classification applies whether the materials are mixed together or chemically treated to enhance their fertilizing properties. The fundamental logic for this classification is that compost is produced through the biological decomposition of organic matter, resulting in a product used primarily to enrich soil nutrients. Because it is derived from natural organic sources rather than synthetic chemical processes, it falls squarely within the scope of heading 3101. This heading includes products produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products, provided they are not in the form of tablets or similar prepared forms, which might move them to heading 3105.
- Covers
- Garden compost derived from decomposed plant matter
- Mushroom compost (spent substrate)
- Decomposed animal manure mixed with vegetable waste
- Organic soil conditioners of animal or vegetable origin
- Chemically treated organic waste for soil enrichment
- Also under 3101.00
Espoma Organic Bone Meal, Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer, Jobe's Organics All-Purpose Fertilizer, Dr. Earth Organic & Natural, Suståne Organic Fertilizers
Codes often confused with 3101.00
Common mistake. Compost is frequently misclassified under HS code 2703.00, which is reserved for peat. While both are organic soil amendments, peat is a naturally occurring geogenic material, whereas compost is a manufactured or processed product. Another common error is using HS code 3105.90 for compound fertilizers. Heading 3105 is intended for mineral or chemical fertilizers containing multiple nutrients or for fertilizers of any kind put up in tablets or small packages. If compost is sold in small retail packages (e.g., under 10kg), it may actually shift from 3101 to 3105.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 310100 (the code used for compost), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 310100 (the code used for compost) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 8.5% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 1.7% of its imports here ($1.7M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 310100, not only compost.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $295M 20% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $196M 14% of world exports
- 3 Italy $192M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $121M 8.5% of world imports
- 2 Spain $115M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Italy $96M 6.8% of world imports
Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 1.7% of its imports here ($1.7M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $1.4B 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 compost
Brazil classifies compost under NCM 3101.00.00: HS 3101.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about compost
What is the HS code for Compost?
The HS code for Compost is 310100 (Fertilizers, animal or vegetable; whether or not mixed together or chemically treated; fertilizers, produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products). The primary HS code for bulk compost of animal or vegetable origin is 3101.00.
How do I classify Compost for customs?
Compost is classified under HS code 310100 — Fertilizers, animal or vegetable; whether or not mixed together or chemically treated; fertilizers, produced by the mixing or chemical treatment of animal or vegetable products. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is vermicompost classified differently?
No, vermicompost (compost produced using worms) is still considered a fertilizer of animal or vegetable origin and remains under HS code 3101.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of compost (HS 310100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 310100 (the code used for compost) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($295M, 20% of world exports), Belgium ($196M) and Italy ($192M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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 compost (HS 310100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 310100 (the code used for compost) in UN Comtrade data were France ($121M, 8.5% of world imports), Spain ($115M) and Italy ($96M). World imports came to about $1.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 1.7% of its imports here ($1.7M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Compost the same in all countries?
The base HS code 310100 for Compost 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 compost in Brazil?
In Brazil, compost (HS 310100) is classified under NCM 3101.00.00.