Product classification

HS code for Disinfectant: 3808.94

Disinfectants, other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles.

Classification of disinfectant under HS 3808.94

Disinfectants are classified under HS code 3808.94. This classification is situated within Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3808 includes insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, and disinfectants. Subheading 3808.94 specifically addresses disinfectants that are put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles. These products are formulated to destroy or irreversibly inactivate bacteria, viruses, and fungi on inanimate surfaces. The classification depends on the product's primary function as a germicide. It is important to note that for a product to be classified here, it must be a finished preparation or presented in a specific retail format. This includes liquids, sprays, and wipes impregnated with disinfectant chemicals. The classification is determined by the intended use of the product as a surface treatment rather than a treatment for the human body.

Covers
  • Alcohol-based surface disinfectants
  • Quaternary ammonium compound preparations
  • Disinfectant sprays for household use
  • Disinfecting wipes (impregnated with chemicals)
  • Hospital-grade surface sterilants
  • Chlorine-based disinfectant solutions for retail sale
Also under 3808.94
  • Lysol Disinfectant Spray
  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
  • Dettol Antiseptic Liquid
  • Purell Hand Sanitizer
  • Microban 24.

Codes often confused with 3808.94

Common mistake. Disinfectants are frequently misclassified under HS code 3004 (Medicaments) or HS code 3401/3402 (Soaps and organic surface-active agents). If a product is intended for use on the skin (like hand sanitizer), it may be classified under 3808.94 in some jurisdictions or 3004/3304 in others depending on its medicinal claims. Furthermore, if a product is primarily a cleaning detergent with only secondary disinfectant properties, it belongs in 3402. Misclassification also occurs with bulk chemicals (Chapter 28 or 29) that are not yet "put up for retail sale" as disinfectants.

30.04Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale34.01Soap; organic surface-active preparations used as soap, skin washing, in bars, cakes, moulded pieces, shapes, liquid or cream, containing soap or not; for retail, paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent34.02Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (including auxiliary washing) and cleaning preparations, containing soap or not, excluding those of heading no. 340133.04Cosmetic and toilet preparations; beauty, make-up and skin care preparations (excluding medicaments, including sunscreen or sun tan preparations), manicure or pedicure preparations

Top exporters and importers of HS 380894 (the code used for disinfectant), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380894 (the code used for disinfectant) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.9% 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 380894, not only disinfectant.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $497M
  2. 2 United States $445M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $332M

World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $338M
  2. 2 France $232M
  3. 3 United States $229M

World total: $3.8B 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 codes for disinfectant

Brazil splits HS 3808.94 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 disinfectant

What is the HS code for Disinfectant?

The HS code for Disinfectant is 380894 (Disinfectants; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles). The HS code for disinfectants put up for retail sale or as preparations is 3808.94.

How do I classify Disinfectant for customs?

Disinfectant is classified under HS code 380894 — Disinfectants; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are hand sanitizers classified under 3808.94?

While many jurisdictions classify hand sanitizers under 3808.94 as disinfectants, some may classify them under 3304 (Cosmetics) or 3004 (Medicaments) depending on the alcohol concentration and health claims.

Which countries are the top exporters of disinfectant (HS 380894)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380894 (the code used for disinfectant) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($497M, 14% of world exports), the United States ($445M) and the United Kingdom ($332M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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 disinfectant (HS 380894)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 380894 (the code used for disinfectant) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($338M, 8.9% of world imports), France ($232M) and the United States ($229M). World imports came to about $3.8B, 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 Disinfectant the same in all countries?

The base HS code 380894 for Disinfectant 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 disinfectant in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 380894 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for disinfectant depends on the product's details: 3808.94.11 (Household disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.94.19 (Other household disinfectants), 3808.94.21 (Other disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.94.22 (2-(Thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole disinfectants), 3808.94.29 (Other disinfectants).