Product classification
HS code for Lignin sulfonates: 3804.00
Lyes, residual, from the manufacture of wood pulp, whether or not concentrated, desugared or chemically treated, including lignin sulphonates but excluding tall oil of heading no. 3803.
Classification of lignin sulfonates under HS 3804.00
Heading 3804.00 covers residual lyes from the manufacture of wood pulp. Lignin sulfonates, also known as lignosulphonates, are water-soluble anionic polyelectrolyte polymers which are byproducts from the production of wood pulp using sulfite pulping. This classification includes these substances whether they are in a concentrated form, desugared, or chemically treated. The classification logic relies on the origin of the product as a chemical byproduct of the paper and pulp industry. It is important to note that this heading specifically includes lignin sulfonates but excludes tall oil, which is classified under heading 3803. The chemical treatment mentioned in the HS description allows for various salts (calcium, sodium, magnesium) to be included here. These materials are widely used as dispersants, binders, and concrete admixtures. Classification is governed by the chemical composition and the industrial process from which the substance is derived, ensuring that these specific organic chemicals are grouped with other residual lyes rather than pure organic chemicals in Chapter 29. The broad nature of 3804.00 allows for various physical states, including liquid concentrates or dried powders, provided they maintain the chemical identity of a residual lye byproduct.
- Covers
- Calcium lignosulfonate
- Sodium lignosulfonate
- Magnesium lignosulfonate
- Concentrated sulfite lyes
- Desugared lignin sulfonates
- Also under 3804.00
- Borregaard
- Domtar
- Sappi
- LignoTech Florida
- Green Agrochem
Codes often confused with 3804.00
Common mistake. Lignin sulfonates are sometimes misclassified under 3803.00, which is reserved for tall oil, another byproduct of the wood pulp industry. They may also be confused with prepared binders for foundry molds under 3824.10. However, because lignin sulfonates are specifically named in the description for 3804.00, that heading takes precedence according to GRI 1.
Top exporters and importers of HS 380400 (the code used for lignin sulfonates), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380400 (the code used for lignin sulfonates) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 12% 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 380400, not only lignin sulfonates.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $70M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $59M 17% of world exports
- 3 Sweden $47M 13% of world exports
World total: $355M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $59M 12% of world imports
- 2 Sweden $40M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 China $35M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $509M 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 lignin sulfonates
Brazil splits HS 3804.00 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3804.00.11Sulphite lyes from wood pulp manufacture
- 3804.00.12Soda or sulphate lyes from wood pulp
- 3804.00.20Lignin sulphonates
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about lignin sulfonates
What is the HS code for Lignin sulfonates?
The HS code for Lignin sulfonates is 380400 (Lyes, residual; from the manufacture of wood pulp, whether or not concentrated, desugared or chemically treated, including lignin sulphonates but excluding tall oil of heading no. 3803). Lignin sulfonates are classified under HS code 3804.00 as part of residual lyes from the manufacture of wood pulp.
How do I classify Lignin sulfonates for customs?
Lignin sulfonates is classified under HS code 380400 — Lyes, residual; from the manufacture of wood pulp, whether or not concentrated, desugared or chemically treated, including lignin sulphonates but excluding tall oil of heading no. 3803. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are chemically treated lignin sulfonates still under 3804.00?
Yes, the HS description explicitly includes lignin sulfonates whether or not they have been chemically treated or desugared, as long as they remain residual lyes from wood pulp production.
Which countries are the top exporters of lignin sulfonates (HS 380400)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380400 (the code used for lignin sulfonates) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($70M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($59M) and Sweden ($47M). World exports came to about $355M, 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 lignin sulfonates (HS 380400)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 380400 (the code used for lignin sulfonates) in UN Comtrade data were India ($59M, 12% of world imports), Sweden ($40M) and China ($35M). World imports came to about $509M, 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 Lignin sulfonates the same in all countries?
The base HS code 380400 for Lignin sulfonates 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 lignin sulfonates in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 380400 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for lignin sulfonates depends on the product's details: 3804.00.11 (Sulphite lyes from wood pulp manufacture), 3804.00.12 (Soda or sulphate lyes from wood pulp), 3804.00.20 (Lignin sulphonates).