Product classification
HS code for Insecticides: 3808.59
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants, herbicides and the like, containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, not DDT (ISO) (clofenotane (INN)), put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles.
Classification of insecticides under HS 3808.59
The classification of insecticides under HS code 3808.59 is governed by the chemical composition and the specific regulatory status of the active ingredients. This code is part of Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Specifically, heading 3808 includes insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, and herbicides. The subheading 3808.59 is reserved for goods containing substances specified in Subheading Note 1 to Chapter 38, which includes hazardous chemicals like aldrin, binapacryl, camphechlor, and others regulated under international environmental conventions. According to General Rule of Interpretation (GRI) 1, classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Since these products are formulated preparations designed to destroy or repel insects and contain these specific hazardous substances, they are excluded from the general insecticide codes and placed here. The classification also requires that the product be put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as finished articles, such as treated bands or wicks. The technical nature of the mixture, including the concentration of the active ingredient and the presence of solvents or surfactants, must be analyzed to ensure it meets the criteria of Note 1.
- Covers
- Agricultural insecticides containing regulated hazardous chemicals
- Household pest control sprays with specific toxic profiles
- Insecticidal baits containing substances listed in Chapter 38 Note 1
- Soil fumigants for industrial use
- Impregnated papers or wicks for insect control
- Also under 3808.59
- Roundup (Monsanto/Bayer)
- Raid (SC Johnson)
- Ortho Home Defense (Scotts Miracle-Gro)
- K-Othrine (Bayer Environmental Science)
- Talon (Syngenta)
Codes often confused with 3808.59
Common mistake. Insecticides are frequently misclassified under 3808.91. While 3808.91 is the general code for insecticides, 3808.59 takes precedence if the product contains the specific hazardous substances listed in the chapter notes. Additionally, pure chemical substances used as insecticides may be confused with Chapter 29 (Organic Chemicals), specifically 2903 for halogenated derivatives, but once they are formulated for retail sale as a pesticide, they must move to 3808.
Top exporters and importers of HS 380859 (the code used for insecticides), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380859 (the code used for insecticides) in UN Comtrade data was South Africa, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Myanmar, with 43% 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 380859, not only insecticides.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Africa $43M 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $25M 14% of world exports
- 3 Guatemala $22M 13% of world exports
World total: $175M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Myanmar $187M 43% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $26M 6.1% of world imports
- 3 Guatemala $16M 3.7% of world imports
World total: $431M 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 insecticides
Brazil splits HS 3808.59 into 8 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3808.59.10Note 1 pesticides for household sanitising use
- 3808.59.21Methamidophos or monocrotophos pesticides
- 3808.59.22Endosulfan-based pesticides
- 3808.59.23Alachlor-based pesticides
- 3808.59.24HCH or lindane-based pesticides
- 3808.59.25Trichlorfon-based pesticides
- 3808.59.26N-ethylperfluorooctane sulphonamide pesticides
- 3808.59.29Other Note 1 pesticides, put up otherwise
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about insecticides
What is the HS code for Insecticides?
The HS code for Insecticides is 380859 (Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants, herbicides and the like; containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter; not DDT (ISO) (clofenotane (INN)), put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles). The HS code for insecticides containing specific hazardous substances is 3808.59, while general insecticides are typically under 3808.91.
How do I classify Insecticides for customs?
Insecticides is classified under HS code 380859 — Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, disinfectants, herbicides and the like; containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter; not DDT (ISO) (clofenotane (INN)), put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include organic botanical pesticides?
Only if the organic pesticide contains one of the specific substances listed in Subheading Note 1 to Chapter 38; otherwise, it falls under 3808.91.
Which countries are the top exporters of insecticides (HS 380859)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380859 (the code used for insecticides) in UN Comtrade data were South Africa ($43M, 25% of world exports), the United States ($25M) and Guatemala ($22M). World exports came to about $175M, 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 insecticides (HS 380859)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 380859 (the code used for insecticides) in UN Comtrade data were Myanmar ($187M, 43% of world imports), Malaysia ($26M) and Guatemala ($16M). World imports came to about $431M, 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 Insecticides the same in all countries?
The base HS code 380859 for Insecticides 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 insecticides in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 380859 into 8 NCM codes, so the right one for insecticides depends on the product's details: 3808.59.10 (Note 1 pesticides for household sanitising use), 3808.59.21 (Methamidophos or monocrotophos pesticides), 3808.59.22 (Endosulfan-based pesticides), 3808.59.23 (Alachlor-based pesticides), 3808.59.24 (HCH or lindane-based pesticides), 3808.59.25 (Trichlorfon-based pesticides), and more.