Product classification
HS code for Hydraulic fluid: 3819.00
Hydraulic fluids, for brakes and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission, not containing or containing less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
Classification of hydraulic fluid under HS 3819.00
Hydraulic fluid is classified under HS code 3819.00, provided it meets specific compositional requirements. This heading covers hydraulic brake fluids and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission. The critical factor for classification under 3819.00 is the petroleum oil content; the fluid must either contain no petroleum oils or contain less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. These fluids are typically based on polyglycols, silicone oils, or other synthetic esters. If the fluid is primarily composed of petroleum (70% or more), it is excluded from Chapter 38 and moved to Chapter 27. This classification is essential for ensuring that synthetic and semi-synthetic hydraulic preparations are distinguished from mineral-oil-based lubricants and transmission fluids.
- Covers
- Synthetic hydraulic brake fluids
- Non-petroleum based hydraulic transmission fluids
- Hydraulic fluids with <70% petroleum content
- DOT 3, DOT 4, and DOT 5 brake fluids
- Also under 3819.00
- Castrol DOT 4
- Bosch DOT 4
- Mobil SHC 500 Series
- Pentosin CHF 11S
- ATE SL.6
Codes often confused with 3819.00
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is under HS code 2710.19, which covers hydraulic oils that contain 70% or more by weight of petroleum oils. Importers often fail to check the percentage of mineral oil in the formulation. Another common error is using HS code 3403.19 or 3403.99, which are for lubricating preparations. While hydraulic fluids do provide lubrication, heading 3819 is more specific for fluids designed for hydraulic transmission, taking precedence over the general lubrication heading 3403.
Top exporters and importers of HS 381900 (the code used for hydraulic fluid), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 381900 (the code used for hydraulic fluid) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 7.8% 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 381900, not only hydraulic fluid.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $321M 26% of world exports
- 2 United States $221M 18% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $118M 9.5% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $95M 7.8% of world imports
- 2 France $78M 6.5% of world imports
- 3 China $64M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 hydraulic fluid
Brazil classifies hydraulic fluid under NCM 3819.00.00: HS 3819.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about hydraulic fluid
What is the HS code for Hydraulic fluid?
The HS code for Hydraulic fluid is 381900 (Hydraulic fluids; for brakes and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission, not containing or containing less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals). The HS code for hydraulic fluids and brake fluids containing less than 70% petroleum oil is 3819.00.
How do I classify Hydraulic fluid for customs?
Hydraulic fluid is classified under HS code 381900 — Hydraulic fluids; for brakes and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission, not containing or containing less than 70% by weight of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What code should be used if the fluid is 80% petroleum oil?
If the fluid contains 70% or more petroleum oil, it must be classified under heading 2710, typically 2710.19.
Which countries are the top exporters of hydraulic fluid (HS 381900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 381900 (the code used for hydraulic fluid) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($321M, 26% of world exports), the United States ($221M) and the United Kingdom ($118M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 hydraulic fluid (HS 381900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 381900 (the code used for hydraulic fluid) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($95M, 7.8% of world imports), France ($78M) and China ($64M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 Hydraulic fluid the same in all countries?
The base HS code 381900 for Hydraulic fluid 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 hydraulic fluid in Brazil?
In Brazil, hydraulic fluid (HS 381900) is classified under NCM 3819.00.00.