Product classification

HS code for Darkroom chemicals: 3707.90

Photographic goods, chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use.

Classification of darkroom chemicals under HS 3707.90

Darkroom chemicals are classified under HS code 3707.90. This code is situated within Chapter 37, which covers photographic or cinematographic goods. Heading 3707 specifically applies to chemical preparations for photographic uses, provided they are put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use. Darkroom chemicals are essential components in the traditional chemical development process of photographic film and paper. They include a variety of specialized substances designed to reveal latent images, stop chemical reactions, and stabilize the final print. The classification 3707.90 is a residual category for photographic chemicals that are not sensitised emulsions (which fall under 3707.10). To qualify for this code, the chemicals must be specifically prepared for photographic use; bulk chemicals that are not packaged for retail or measured for specific photographic applications may be classified elsewhere based on their chemical composition.

Covers
  • Film developers (liquid or powder)
  • Photographic paper developers
  • Stop baths (typically acetic acid based)
  • Fixer solutions (sodium or ammonium thiosulfate)
  • Wetting agents and rinse aids
  • Toning chemicals (e.g., sepia or selenium toners)
  • Chemical reducers and intensifiers
Also under 3707.90
  • Kodak D-76 developer
  • Ilford ID-11 developer
  • Fuji Hunt X-Press fixer
  • Tetenal C-41 kit
  • Adox Adonal developer

Codes often confused with 3707.90

Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs when darkroom chemicals are declared under Chapter 28 or 29 as pure chemicals. For example, pure sodium thiosulfate might be classified under 2833.11, but when it is packaged as a photographic fixer for retail sale, it must be classified under 3707.90. Another error involves HS code 3707.10, which is exclusively for sensitised emulsions used to coat surfaces. General laboratory reagents not specific to photography may also be incorrectly assigned to 3822.

2833.11Sodium sulphates; disodium sulphate3707.10Photographic goods; sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use38.22Reagents; diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, whether or not put up in the form of kits, other than those of heading 30.06; certified reference materials

Top exporters and importers of HS 370790 (the code used for darkroom chemicals), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 370790 (the code used for darkroom chemicals) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% 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 370790, not only darkroom chemicals.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Japan $3.5B
  2. 2 South Korea $681M
  3. 3 United States $624M

World total: $6.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $2.6B
  2. 2 Taiwan* ~$1.1B
  3. 3 South Korea $570M

World total: $7.0B 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 darkroom chemicals

Brazil splits HS 3707.90 into 5 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 darkroom chemicals

What is the HS code for Darkroom chemicals?

The HS code for Darkroom chemicals is 370790 (Photographic goods; chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use). The HS code for darkroom chemicals is 3707.90, covering photographic chemical preparations put up for retail sale.

How do I classify Darkroom chemicals for customs?

Darkroom chemicals is classified under HS code 370790 — Photographic goods; chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are individual chemicals like acetic acid classified here?

Only if they are specifically packaged and sold as photographic stop baths. If sold as bulk industrial acetic acid, they would be classified under 2915.21.

Which countries are the top exporters of darkroom chemicals (HS 370790)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 370790 (the code used for darkroom chemicals) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($3.5B, 52% of world exports), South Korea ($681M) and the United States ($624M). World exports came to about $6.7B, 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 darkroom chemicals (HS 370790)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 370790 (the code used for darkroom chemicals) in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.6B, 37% of world imports), Taiwan (about $1.1B) and South Korea ($570M). World imports came to about $7.0B, 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.

Is the HS code for Darkroom chemicals the same in all countries?

The base HS code 370790 for Darkroom chemicals 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 darkroom chemicals in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 370790 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for darkroom chemicals depends on the product's details: 3707.90.10 (Photographic fixers), 3707.90.21 (Electrostatic copier developers (toners)), 3707.90.29 (Other photographic developers), 3707.90.30 (Photosensitive diazo compounds for emulsions), 3707.90.90 (Other photographic chemical preparations).