Product classification
HS code for Lubricant additive: 3811.29
Lubricating oil additives, not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.
Classification of lubricant additive under HS 3811.29
Lubricant additives are classified under HS code 3811.29, which is situated within Chapter 38 for miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3811 is a specialized category for anti-knock preparations, oxidation inhibitors, gum inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosive preparations, and other prepared additives for mineral oils or for other liquids used for the same purposes. These substances are not lubricants themselves but are chemical formulations added to base oils to enhance performance or impart new properties. Subheading 3811.29 is specifically reserved for additives for lubricating oils that do not contain petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This distinction is vital because additives that do contain petroleum oils as a carrier or component are classified under 3811.21. The products under 3811.29 often include complex chemical compounds like zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP), dispersants, or high-molecular-weight polymers used as viscosity index improvers.
- Covers
- Viscosity index improvers without petroleum oil
- Detergent additives for engine oils
- Dispersants used in lubricant formulation
- Pour point depressants (non-petroleum based)
- Anti-wear additives for industrial oils
- Oxidation inhibitors for synthetic lubricants
- Also under 3811.29
- Lubrizol Additives
- Afton Chemical HiTEC
- Infineum Additives
- BASF Irgalube
- Evonik Additives
Codes often confused with 3811.29
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 3811.21, which covers lubricating oil additives that do contain petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. It is also common to see these additives incorrectly classified under 3403, which is for finished lubricating preparations, or 2710.19, which covers the base oils themselves. Precise technical data is required to distinguish between a concentrated additive and a finished lubricant.
Top exporters and importers of HS 381129 (the code used for lubricant additive), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 381129 (the code used for lubricant additive) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 20% 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 381129, not only lubricant additive.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $307M 34% of world exports
- 2 South Korea $101M 11% of world exports
- 3 Germany $76M 8.5% of world exports
World total: $898M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $268M 20% of world imports
- 2 United States $162M 12% of world imports
- 3 France $133M 10% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 lubricant additive
Brazil splits HS 3811.29 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3811.29.10Ashless dispersants without petroleum oils
- 3811.29.20Metallic detergents without petroleum oils
- 3811.29.90Other lube oil additives without petroleum oils
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about lubricant additive
What is the HS code for Lubricant additive?
The HS code for Lubricant additive is 381129 (Lubricating oil additives; not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals).
How do I classify Lubricant additive for customs?
Lubricant additive is classified under HS code 381129 — Lubricating oil additives; not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for non-petroleum lubricant additives?
The correct HS code for lubricant additives not containing petroleum oils is 3811.29.
How do I distinguish between 3811.21 and 3811.29?
The distinction is based on the presence of petroleum oil; 3811.21 contains petroleum oil as a component or carrier, while 3811.29 does not.
Which countries are the top exporters of lubricant additive (HS 381129)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 381129 (the code used for lubricant additive) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($307M, 34% of world exports), South Korea ($101M) and Germany ($76M). World exports came to about $898M, 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 lubricant additive (HS 381129)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 381129 (the code used for lubricant additive) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($268M, 20% of world imports), the United States ($162M) and France ($133M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 Lubricant additive the same in all countries?
The base HS code 381129 for Lubricant additive 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 lubricant additive in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 381129 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for lubricant additive depends on the product's details: 3811.29.10 (Ashless dispersants without petroleum oils), 3811.29.20 (Metallic detergents without petroleum oils), 3811.29.90 (Other lube oil additives without petroleum oils).