Product classification
HS code for Industrial organic waste: 3825.61
Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered in 27.10), other wastes n.e.c. in 3825, those mainly containing organic constituents.
Classification of industrial organic waste under HS 3825.61
Industrial organic waste is classified under HS code 3825.61. This code is part of heading 3825, which covers residual products of the chemical or allied industries that are not elsewhere specified or included. The specific sub-heading 3825.61 is designated for waste that mainly contains organic constituents. In the context of the Harmonized System, "organic" refers to carbon-based compounds, typically derived from chemical processes, solvent use, or manufacturing by-products. This classification excludes municipal waste (3825.10), sewage sludge (3825.20), and waste oils (2710). To correctly apply this code, the waste must be a residual product of an industrial process and must not be a primary product or a product with a more specific classification elsewhere in the tariff schedule. The determination of "mainly organic" is usually based on the weight of the organic components relative to the total weight of the waste. This code is vital for tracking the movement of hazardous organic materials and ensuring compliance with environmental treaties like the Basel Convention.
- Covers
- Spent organic solvents (non-halogenated)
- Waste resins and liquid polymer residues
- Organic chemical by-products from pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Waste from the production of organic dyes and pigments
- Organic sludge from chemical processing plants
- Residual organic liquids from plastic manufacturing
- Also under 3825.61
- BASF organic chemical waste
- Dow Chemical solvent residues
- Syngenta agrochemical byproducts
- Evonik specialty chemical waste.
Codes often confused with 3825.61
Common mistake. Industrial organic waste is often confused with inorganic waste (3825.69). The distinction relies entirely on the chemical composition. Another common error is classifying waste oils under this code; however, waste oils are specifically directed to heading 2710. Furthermore, if the waste consists of halogenated solvents, it should be classified under 3825.41 rather than the general organic waste code 3825.61. Plastic waste in primary forms or scrap should be classified in 3915.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382561 (the code used for industrial organic waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382561 (the code used for industrial organic waste) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 57% 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 382561, not only industrial organic waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $12M 38% of world exports
- 2 Spain $4.3M 14% of world exports
- 3 Trinidad and Tobago $3.4M 11% of world exports
World total: $31M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $29M 57% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $4.3M 8.5% of world imports
- 3 Ireland $2.9M 5.6% of world imports
World total: $51M 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 organic waste
Brazil classifies industrial organic waste under NCM 3825.61.00: HS 3825.61 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about industrial organic waste
What is the HS code for Industrial organic waste?
The HS code for Industrial organic waste is 382561 (Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered in 27.10); other wastes n.e.c. in 3825; those mainly containing organic constituents). The HS code for industrial organic waste mainly containing organic constituents is 3825.61.
How do I classify Industrial organic waste for customs?
Industrial organic waste is classified under HS code 382561 — Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; (other than sewage sludge, municipal waste or waste covered in 27.10); other wastes n.e.c. in 3825; those mainly containing organic constituents. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 3825.61 and 3825.41?
3825.41 is specifically for waste organic solvents that are halogenated, while 3825.61 is for general organic waste residues.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial organic waste (HS 382561)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382561 (the code used for industrial organic waste) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($12M, 38% of world exports), Spain ($4.3M) and Trinidad and Tobago ($3.4M). World exports came to about $31M, 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 organic waste (HS 382561)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382561 (the code used for industrial organic waste) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($29M, 57% of world imports), the Netherlands ($4.3M) and Ireland ($2.9M). World imports came to about $51M, 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 organic waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382561 for Industrial organic 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 organic waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, industrial organic waste (HS 382561) is classified under NCM 3825.61.00.