Product classification
HS code for Industrial inorganic waste: 3825.69
Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered by 27.10), other wastes n.e.c. in 3825, except those mainly containing organic constituents.
Classification of industrial inorganic waste under HS 3825.69
Industrial inorganic waste is classified under HS code 3825.69, which serves as a residual category for chemical and allied industry waste products that are not specified elsewhere in the Harmonized System. This classification is primarily determined by the chemical composition of the waste, specifically focusing on materials that contain predominantly inorganic constituents. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), products falling under heading 3825 are those that cannot be classified in more specific headings of the nomenclature, such as metal-bearing residues of Chapter 26 or waste oils of Chapter 27. The sub-heading 3825.69 specifically excludes municipal waste, sewage sludge, and waste mainly containing organic constituents, which are directed to 3825.10, 3825.20, and 3825.61 respectively. This code is essential for environmental regulation and international trade monitoring, as it covers a wide variety of hazardous and non-hazardous inorganic by-products from manufacturing processes that require specific handling and disposal protocols.
- Covers
- Spent inorganic catalysts not containing precious metals
- Inorganic chemical residues from laboratory testing
- Contaminated soil containing primarily inorganic pollutants
- Waste from the treatment of inorganic acids and bases
- Inorganic sludge from industrial wastewater treatment plants
- Residual salts and metallic oxides from chemical processing
- Also under 3825.69
- Rio Tinto mining waste
- Johnson Matthey spent catalysts
- Solvay inorganic chemical residues
- Umicore metal recovery waste.
Codes often confused with 3825.69
Common mistake. A frequent point of confusion occurs between HS code 3825.69 and 3825.61. The latter is reserved for waste mainly containing organic constituents. Importers must perform a chemical analysis to determine the predominant component. Additionally, waste containing recoverable metals may be misclassified here instead of heading 2620, which covers slag, ash, and residues containing metals. Another common error involves waste oils, which must be classified under 2710 rather than 3825.69, even if they contain inorganic contaminants.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382569 (the code used for industrial inorganic waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382569 (the code used for industrial inorganic waste) in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 29% 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 382569, not only industrial inorganic waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Mexico $6.8M 21% of world exports
- 2 Canada $5.5M 17% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $3.8M 12% of world exports
World total: $32M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $12M 29% of world imports
- 2 United States $12M 29% of world imports
- 3 France $4.2M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $43M 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 industrial inorganic waste
Brazil classifies industrial inorganic waste under NCM 3825.69.00: HS 3825.69 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about industrial inorganic waste
What is the HS code for Industrial inorganic waste?
The HS code for Industrial inorganic waste is 382569 (Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered by 27.10); other wastes n.e.c. in 3825; except those mainly containing organic constituents). The primary HS code for industrial inorganic waste that is not elsewhere specified is 3825.69.
How do I classify Industrial inorganic waste for customs?
Industrial inorganic waste is classified under HS code 382569 — Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered by 27.10); other wastes n.e.c. in 3825; except those mainly containing organic constituents. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I distinguish between organic and inorganic waste for classification?
Classification depends on the weight of the constituents; if the waste consists mainly of inorganic substances like minerals, metals, or salts, it falls under 3825.69. If it is primarily carbon-based chemical waste, it belongs in 3825.61.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial inorganic waste (HS 382569)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382569 (the code used for industrial inorganic waste) in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($6.8M, 21% of world exports), Canada ($5.5M) and Belgium ($3.8M). World exports came to about $32M, 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 industrial inorganic waste (HS 382569)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382569 (the code used for industrial inorganic waste) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($12M, 29% of world imports), the United States ($12M) and France ($4.2M). World imports came to about $43M, 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 Industrial inorganic waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382569 for Industrial inorganic waste 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 industrial inorganic waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, industrial inorganic waste (HS 382569) is classified under NCM 3825.69.00.