Product classification
HS code for Mortar additives: 3824.40
Cements, mortars or concretes, their prepared additives.
Classification of mortar additives under HS 3824.40
Mortar additives are classified under HS code 3824.40. This classification falls within Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3824 is a broad category for prepared binders for foundry molds or cores and chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries not elsewhere specified. Subheading 3824.40 is specifically designated for prepared additives for cements, mortars, or concretes. These products are chemical preparations—often mixtures of several substances—designed to be added to mortar or concrete in small quantities to modify its physical or chemical properties. The classification is determined by the functional preparation of the product. These additives are not simple chemicals of a single constitution (which would fall under Chapters 28 or 29) but are formulated products intended for the construction industry to improve characteristics such as water retention, aeration, or setting speed. The HS code encompasses both liquid and powder additives, provided they are prepared for the specific purpose of enhancing cementitious mixtures.
- Covers
- Plasticizers and superplasticizers for mortar
- Accelerators for rapid setting
- Retarders to delay hydration
- Air-entraining agents
- Waterproofing or water-repellent additives for masonry
- Also under 3824.40
- Sika Admixtures
- BASF Master Builders Solutions
- GCP Applied Technologies Admixtures
- Chryso Admixtures
- Fosroc Admixtures
Codes often confused with 3824.40
Common mistake. Mortar additives are often misclassified under HS code 3214.90, which covers non-refractory surfacing preparations like painters' fillings. They may also be confused with HS code 3816.00, which is for refractory cements and mortars themselves. The distinction is that 3824.40 is for the chemical additives only, not the bulk mortar or the finishing plaster.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382440 (the code used for mortar additives), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382440 (the code used for mortar additives) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 4.3% 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 382440, not only mortar additives.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $388M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $244M 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $175M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $90M 4.3% of world imports
- 2 United States $76M 3.6% of world imports
- 3 India $58M 2.8% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 code for mortar additives
Brazil classifies mortar additives under NCM 3824.40.00: HS 3824.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about mortar additives
What is the HS code for Mortar additives?
The HS code for Mortar additives is 382440 (Cements, mortars or concretes; their prepared additives). The specific HS code for prepared additives for cements, mortars, or concretes is 3824.40.
How do I classify Mortar additives for customs?
Mortar additives is classified under HS code 382440 — Cements, mortars or concretes; their prepared additives. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are simple pigments for mortar included in this code?
No, pigments used to color mortar are generally classified under heading 3204 or 3206, depending on their chemical composition.
Which countries are the top exporters of mortar additives (HS 382440)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382440 (the code used for mortar additives) in UN Comtrade data were China ($388M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($244M) and Italy ($175M). 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 mortar additives (HS 382440)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382440 (the code used for mortar additives) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($90M, 4.3% of world imports), the United States ($76M) and India ($58M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 Mortar additives the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382440 for Mortar additives 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 mortar additives in Brazil?
In Brazil, mortar additives (HS 382440) is classified under NCM 3824.40.00.