Product classification
HS code for Drying agents: 3211.00
Driers, prepared.
Classification of drying agents under HS 3211.00
HS code 321100 is designated for "Prepared driers," which are chemical substances added to paints, varnishes, and printing inks to accelerate the drying process through oxidation or polymerization. These are distinct from desiccants used for moisture absorption in packaging. Chapter 32 deals with tanning or dyeing extracts, pigments, and other coloring matter, including paints and varnishes. Prepared driers are essential additives in the coatings industry. They typically consist of metallic soaps (like cobalt, manganese, or lead naphthenates) dissolved in a solvent or dispersed in a carrier. The classification under 321100 requires the product to be a "prepared" mixture specifically intended for use as a drier in the paint and varnish industry, rather than a pure chemical element or simple compound found in Chapter 28 or 29. This code is vital for the chemical industry to track additives that modify the physical properties of coatings during application.
- Covers
- Cobalt naphthenate prepared driers
- Manganese-based drying agents for oil paints
- Lead-free metallic soap driers
- Zinc or calcium driers used as auxiliary agents
- Mixed metal driers in liquid or paste form
- Also under 3211.00
- Borchers Driers
- OMG Borchers
- Dorf Ketal
- King Industries K-KAT
- Shepherd Chemical Driers
Codes often confused with 3211.00
Common mistake. A common point of confusion is the term "drying agent." In a general context, this often refers to desiccants like silica gel or calcium chloride. However, silica gel is classified under 382499 (as a chemical product) or 281122 (as silicon dioxide), and calcium chloride falls under 282720. HS code 321100 is strictly for paint/varnish driers. Another misclassification occurs with 3806, which covers rosin and resin acids, or 3212, which covers pigments dispersed in non-aqueous media. If the product is a raw metallic salt not yet "prepared" as a drier, it belongs in Chapter 28.
Top exporters and importers of HS 321100 (the code used for drying agents), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 321100 (the code used for drying agents) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 13% 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 321100, not only drying agents.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $25M 11% of world exports
- 2 India $24M 11% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $22M 9.7% of world exports
World total: $226M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $29M 13% of world imports
- 2 United States $19M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 Germany $12M 5.1% of world imports
World total: $227M 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 drying agents
Brazil classifies drying agents under NCM 3211.00.00: HS 3211.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about drying agents
What is the HS code for Drying agents?
The HS code for Drying agents is 321100 (Driers; prepared). If the drying agent is a prepared drier for paints or varnishes, the HS code is 321100. If it is a desiccant for moisture control, it is likely 382499.
How do I classify Drying agents for customs?
Drying agents is classified under HS code 321100 — Driers; prepared. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are pure metallic salts included in 321100?
No, pure metallic salts or defined chemical compounds are classified in Chapter 28. 321100 is reserved for prepared mixtures or solutions used specifically as driers.
Which countries are the top exporters of drying agents (HS 321100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 321100 (the code used for drying agents) in UN Comtrade data were China ($25M, 11% of world exports), India ($24M) and Belgium ($22M). World exports came to about $226M, 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 drying agents (HS 321100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 321100 (the code used for drying agents) in UN Comtrade data were China ($29M, 13% of world imports), the United States ($19M) and Germany ($12M). World imports came to about $227M, 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 Drying agents the same in all countries?
The base HS code 321100 for Drying agents 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 drying agents in Brazil?
In Brazil, drying agents (HS 321100) is classified under NCM 3211.00.00.