Product classification

HS code for Liquid air: 2853.90

Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus, other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity), liquid air, rare gases removed or not, compressed air, amalgams, not precious metal amalgams.

Classification of liquid air under HS 2853.90

Liquid air is classified under HS code 2853.90. This code is part of Chapter 28, which encompasses inorganic chemicals and precious metal compounds. Specifically, 2853.90 serves as a residual category for other inorganic compounds not elsewhere specified, including distilled water, conductivity water, and liquid air. Liquid air is produced by the cryogenic cooling of atmospheric air until it condenses into a pale blue liquid. The classification remains 2853.90 regardless of whether rare gases (such as argon, neon, or helium) have been removed from the mixture. This classification is unique because it treats a mixture of gases as a single inorganic entity. The General Interpretative Rules (GIR) place liquid air here because it does not fit the criteria for individual elemental gases found in heading 2804, nor is it considered a prepared chemical mixture of Chapter 38.

Covers
  • Liquid air (with or without rare gases)
  • Compressed air
  • Distilled water
  • Conductivity water and water of similar purity
  • Non-precious metal amalgams
Also under 2853.90
  • Fisher Scientific (distilled water)
  • Air Liquide (compressed air/gases)
  • Dentsply Sirona (dental amalgams)
  • BASF (phosphides for agriculture)

Codes often confused with 2853.90

Common mistake. Liquid air is often misclassified under 2804.30 (Nitrogen) or 2804.40 (Oxygen). While liquid air contains these elements, those specific codes are reserved for pure, isolated gases. Another common error is using 3824.99 for chemical mixtures; however, because liquid air is explicitly named in the description for 2853, it must be classified there according to the principle of specific description over general heading.

2804.30Nitrogen2804.40Oxygen3824.99Chemical products, mixtures and preparations; n.e.c. heading 382428.53Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams

Top exporters and importers of HS 285390 (the code used for liquid air), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 285390 (the code used for liquid air) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 285390, not only liquid air.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $895M
  2. 2 Finland $218M
  3. 3 Israel $207M

World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $123M
  2. 2 China $86M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$75M

World total: $836M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 liquid air

Brazil splits HS 2853.90 into 7 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

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

Questions about liquid air

What is the HS code for Liquid air?

The HS code for Liquid air is 285390 (Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams). The HS code for liquid air is 2853.90, which also includes compressed air and certain types of purified water.

How do I classify Liquid air for customs?

Liquid air is classified under HS code 285390 — Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does removing argon from liquid air change its HS code?

No, the HS code 2853.90 explicitly includes liquid air whether or not rare gases have been removed, so the classification remains the same.

Which countries are the top exporters of liquid air (HS 285390)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 285390 (the code used for liquid air) in UN Comtrade data were China ($895M, 45% of world exports), Finland ($218M) and Israel ($207M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 liquid air (HS 285390)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 285390 (the code used for liquid air) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($123M, 15% of world imports), China ($86M) and Taiwan (about $75M). World imports came to about $836M, 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 Liquid air the same in all countries?

The base HS code 285390 for Liquid air 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 liquid air in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 285390 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for liquid air depends on the product's details: 2853.90.11 (Aluminium phosphide), 2853.90.12 (Magnesium phosphide), 2853.90.13 (Copper phosphide, over 15% phosphorus), 2853.90.19 (Other phosphides), 2853.90.20 (Cyanamide and its metal derivatives), 2853.90.30 (Phosphorus sulphochlorides), and more.