Product classification
HS code for Engine oil additive: 3811.21
Lubricating oil additives, containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
Classification of engine oil additive under HS 3811.21
Engine oil additives are classified under HS code 3811.21. This classification is situated within Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3811 is dedicated to anti-knock preparations, oxidation inhibitors, gum inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosive preparations, and other prepared additives for mineral oils (including gasoline) or for other liquids used for the same purposes as mineral oils. Subheading 3811.21 specifically identifies additives for lubricating oils that contain petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. These products are chemical preparations added to engine oil to enhance performance, protect engine components, or extend the life of the lubricant. To fall under this code, the preparation must be a mixture of active chemical substances, often diluted in a carrier oil.
- Covers
- Detergent and dispersant additives for motor oil
- Anti-wear (AW) and Extreme Pressure (EP) additives
- Viscosity index improvers containing petroleum oil
- Corrosion inhibitors for engine lubricants
- Friction modifiers for automotive oils
- Also under 3811.21
- Lubrizol Additives
- Afton Chemical HiTEC
- Chevron Oronite OLOA
- Infineum Additives
- BASF Irgalube
Codes often confused with 3811.21
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 3811.29, which is for lubricating oil additives that *do not* contain petroleum oils (such as fully synthetic additives with non-petroleum carriers). Another error is classifying these products under 2710, which covers petroleum oils themselves. If the product is a finished lubricant (oil + additives), it belongs in 2710; if it is a concentrated preparation intended to be added to oil, it belongs in 3811. Additionally, pure chemical compounds that have not been 'prepared' or mixed as additives might be classified in Chapters 28 or 29.
Top exporters and importers of HS 381121 (the code used for engine oil additive), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 381121 (the code used for engine oil additive) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.5% 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 381121, not only engine oil additive.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $2.2B 23% of world exports
- 2 Singapore $2.0B 20% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.9B 20% of world exports
World total: $9.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $881M 8.5% of world imports
- 2 China $867M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $697M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $10.4B 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 codes for engine oil additive
Brazil splits HS 3811.21 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3811.21.10Viscosity index improvers for lubricating oils
- 3811.21.20Zinc dithiophosphate anti-wear oil additives
- 3811.21.30Ashless dispersants with petroleum oils
- 3811.21.40Metallic detergents with petroleum oils
- 3811.21.50Lube oil additive blends with petroleum oils
- 3811.21.90Other lube oil additives with petroleum oils
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about engine oil additive
What is the HS code for Engine oil additive?
The HS code for Engine oil additive is 381121 (Lubricating oil additives; containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals). The HS code for engine oil additives containing petroleum oil is 3811.21.
How do I classify Engine oil additive for customs?
Engine oil additive is classified under HS code 381121 — Lubricating oil additives; containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the additive is for fuel instead of oil?
Additives for fuel (like anti-knock preparations or fuel detergents) are classified under different subheadings of 3811, such as 3811.11 or 3811.19, rather than 3811.21.
Which countries are the top exporters of engine oil additive (HS 381121)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 381121 (the code used for engine oil additive) in UN Comtrade data were France ($2.2B, 23% of world exports), Singapore ($2.0B) and the United States ($1.9B). World exports came to about $9.7B, 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 engine oil additive (HS 381121)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 381121 (the code used for engine oil additive) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($881M, 8.5% of world imports), China ($867M) and Singapore ($697M). World imports came to about $10.4B, 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.
Is the HS code for Engine oil additive the same in all countries?
The base HS code 381121 for Engine oil additive 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 engine oil additive in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 381121 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for engine oil additive depends on the product's details: 3811.21.10 (Viscosity index improvers for lubricating oils), 3811.21.20 (Zinc dithiophosphate anti-wear oil additives), 3811.21.30 (Ashless dispersants with petroleum oils), 3811.21.40 (Metallic detergents with petroleum oils), 3811.21.50 (Lube oil additive blends with petroleum oils), 3811.21.90 (Other lube oil additives with petroleum oils).