Product classification

HS code for Leather treatment chemical: 3403.91

Lubricating preparations, for the treatment of textile and similar materials (leather, furskins etc), (not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals).

Classification of leather treatment chemical under HS 3403.91

Leather treatment chemicals classified under HS code 3403.91 are lubricating preparations specifically formulated for the treatment of textile materials, leather, furskins, or other similar materials. The defining characteristic of this classification is the absence of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. These chemical agents are used during the finishing stages of leather production to impart specific physical properties such as softness, flexibility, or water resistance. Because they do not rely on mineral oil bases, they often consist of synthetic polymers, silicones, or organic fats and oils that have been chemically modified. The classification follows General Interpretative Rules (GIR) by identifying the specific use case (leather treatment) and the chemical composition (non-petroleum based). These products are essential in modern tanneries that require high-performance finishes without the use of traditional mineral oils.

Covers
  • Synthetic fatliquors for leather softening
  • Silicone-based water repellents for hides
  • Non-petroleum lubricating sprays for furskins
  • Aqueous dispersions of synthetic waxes for leather finishing
  • Chemical softening agents for textile-leather composites
Also under 3403.91
  • CHT Sarabid
  • BASF Basosoft N
  • Clariant Sandolub N
  • Croda Crodamol N
  • Tanatex Tanaterge N

Codes often confused with 3403.91

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 3403.11. While both codes cover leather treatment preparations, 3403.11 is reserved for products that contain petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals (less than 70% by weight). If the preparation contains no petroleum at all, it must be moved to 3403.91. Additionally, pure tanning substances are often confused with this code but should be classified under heading 3202, as 3403 is strictly for lubricating or finishing preparations rather than the primary tanning process.

3403.11Lubricating preparations; for the treatment of textile and similar materials (leather, furskins etc), containing less than 70% (by weight) of petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals32.02Tanning substances; synthetic organic or inorganic tanning substances; tanning preparations, whether or not containing natural tanning substances, enzymatic preparations for pre-tanning34.03Lubricating preparations and those used in oil or grease treatment of textile and similar materials; excluding preparations containing 70% or more (by weight) of petroleum or bituminous mineral oils

Top exporters and importers of HS 340391 (the code used for leather treatment chemical), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 340391 (the code used for leather treatment chemical) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 340391, not only leather treatment chemical.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Japan $387M
  2. 2 Germany $155M
  3. 3 China $73M

World total: $864M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $382M
  2. 2 India $79M
  3. 3 Vietnam* ~$60M

World total: $889M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 leather treatment chemical

Brazil splits HS 3403.91 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 3403.91.10Textile-treating preparations, no petroleum oil
  • 3403.91.20Leather-treating preparations, no petroleum oil
  • 3403.91.90Other treating preparations, no petroleum oil

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about leather treatment chemical

What is the HS code for Leather treatment chemical?

The HS code for Leather treatment chemical is 340391 (Lubricating preparations; for the treatment of textile and similar materials (leather, furskins etc), (not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals)). The HS code for leather treatment chemicals that do not contain petroleum oils is 3403.91.

How do I classify Leather treatment chemical for customs?

Leather treatment chemical is classified under HS code 340391 — Lubricating preparations; for the treatment of textile and similar materials (leather, furskins etc), (not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How does this differ from leather dyes?

Leather dyes are classified under Chapter 32 (specifically 3204 or 3212), as they provide color, whereas 3403.91 is for lubricating and softening preparations.

Which countries are the top exporters of leather treatment chemical (HS 340391)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 340391 (the code used for leather treatment chemical) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($387M, 45% of world exports), Germany ($155M) and China ($73M). World exports came to about $864M, 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 leather treatment chemical (HS 340391)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 340391 (the code used for leather treatment chemical) in UN Comtrade data were China ($382M, 43% of world imports), India ($79M) and Vietnam (about $60M). World imports came to about $889M, 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 Leather treatment chemical the same in all countries?

The base HS code 340391 for Leather treatment chemical 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 leather treatment chemical in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 340391 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for leather treatment chemical depends on the product's details: 3403.91.10 (Textile-treating preparations, no petroleum oil), 3403.91.20 (Leather-treating preparations, no petroleum oil), 3403.91.90 (Other treating preparations, no petroleum oil).