Product classification
HS code for Compressed air: 2853.90
Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus, other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity), liquid air, rare gases removed or not, compressed air, amalgams, not precious metal amalgams.
Classification of compressed air under HS 2853.90
Compressed air is classified under HS code 2853.90. This heading covers other inorganic compounds, including liquid air and compressed air. The classification is based on the chemical nature of air as a mixture of inorganic gases (primarily nitrogen and oxygen). Heading 2853 is a residual heading for inorganic chemicals and compounds that do not fit into more specific categories within Chapter 28. Compressed air is distinct from pure gases because it maintains the atmospheric ratio of gases, though it is pressurized for storage or transport in cylinders. This code also encompasses liquid air from which rare gases may or may not have been removed, provided it has not been separated into its pure component gases.
- Covers
- Compressed atmospheric air in cylinders
- Liquid air for industrial cooling
- Compressed air for breathing apparatus (scuba/firefighting)
- Liquid air with rare gases removed
- Inorganic compounds not elsewhere specified
- Also under 2853.90
- Fisher Scientific (distilled water)
- Air Liquide (compressed air/gases)
- Dentsply Sirona (dental amalgams)
- BASF (phosphides for agriculture)
Codes often confused with 2853.90
Common mistake. Compressed air is frequently confused with HS code 2804, which covers individual chemical elements and rare gases. For example, pure nitrogen is 2804.30 and pure oxygen is 2804.40. If the air has been processed to the point of being pure oxygen or nitrogen, it cannot stay in 2853.90. Another common error is 2711, which is for petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons like methane or propane. Compressed air contains no hydrocarbons and therefore does not belong in Chapter 27.
Top exporters and importers of HS 285390 (the code used for compressed air), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 285390 (the code used for compressed air) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 285390, not only compressed air.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $895M 45% of world exports
- 2 Finland $218M 11% of world exports
- 3 Israel $207M 10% of world exports
World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $123M 15% of world imports
- 2 China $86M 10% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$75M 9.0% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $836M 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 compressed air
Brazil splits HS 2853.90 into 7 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2853.90.11Aluminium phosphide
- 2853.90.12Magnesium phosphide
- 2853.90.13Copper phosphide, over 15% phosphorus
- 2853.90.19Other phosphides
- 2853.90.20Cyanamide and its metal derivatives
- 2853.90.30Phosphorus sulphochlorides
- 2853.90.90Other inorganics, air and base-metal amalgams
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about compressed air
What is the HS code for Compressed air?
The HS code for Compressed air is 285390 (Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams). The HS code for compressed air is 2853.90.
How do I classify Compressed air for customs?
Compressed air is classified under HS code 285390 — Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is medical grade oxygen classified here?
No, medical grade oxygen is a pure gas and is classified under HS code 2804.40. Only atmospheric air mixtures are classified under 2853.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of compressed air (HS 285390)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 285390 (the code used for compressed air) in UN Comtrade data were China ($895M, 45% of world exports), Finland ($218M) and Israel ($207M). 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 compressed air (HS 285390)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 285390 (the code used for compressed air) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($123M, 15% of world imports), China ($86M) and Taiwan (about $75M). World imports came to about $836M, 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 Compressed air the same in all countries?
The base HS code 285390 for Compressed air 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 compressed air in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 285390 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for compressed air depends on the product's details: 2853.90.11 (Aluminium phosphide), 2853.90.12 (Magnesium phosphide), 2853.90.13 (Copper phosphide, over 15% phosphorus), 2853.90.19 (Other phosphides), 2853.90.20 (Cyanamide and its metal derivatives), 2853.90.30 (Phosphorus sulphochlorides), and more.