Product classification
HS code for Palladium catalysts: 3815.12
Catalysts, supported, reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, with precious metal or precious metal compounds as the active substance, n.e.c. or included.
Classification of palladium catalysts under HS 3815.12
Palladium catalysts are classified under HS code 3815.12. This classification is found within Chapter 38, which encompasses miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3815 is specifically designated for reaction initiators, reaction accelerators, and catalytic preparations. The subheading 3815.12 is precise, covering supported catalysts where the active substance is a precious metal or a precious metal compound. In these products, palladium is typically dispersed onto a high-surface-area support material such as activated carbon, alumina, or silica. The classification is determined by the functional nature of the product as a catalyst rather than the intrinsic value of the metal alone. According to the General Rules of Interpretation, specifically GRI 1, the product is classified based on its chemical preparation. These catalysts are essential in various industrial processes, including the production of pharmaceuticals, bulk chemicals, and in automotive emission control systems. The presence of palladium as the catalytic agent is the defining characteristic that separates it from catalysts based on base metals.
- Covers
- Palladium on carbon (Pd/C) catalysts
- Palladium on alumina pellets
- Palladium on silica catalysts
- Automotive catalytic converter substrates containing palladium
- Fixed-bed palladium catalysts for hydrogenation
- Also under 3815.12
- Johnson Matthey PGM Catalysts
- BASF Precious Metal Catalysts
- Umicore Automotive Catalysts
- Heraeus Precious Metal Catalysts
- Clariant Precious Metal Catalysts.
Codes often confused with 3815.12
Common mistake. A common misclassification is HS code 7110.21 or 7110.29, which covers palladium metal. However, because the catalyst is a preparation involving a support material, Chapter 38 is more appropriate. Another error is using 3815.19, which is for "other" supported catalysts; 3815.12 must be used because palladium is a precious metal. Finally, spent catalysts should not be classified here; they belong in 7112 for metal recovery.
Top exporters and importers of HS 381512 (the code used for palladium catalysts), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 381512 (the code used for palladium catalysts) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 27% 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 381512, not only palladium catalysts.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $2.8B 23% of world exports
- 2 United States $1.5B 12% of world exports
- 3 North Macedonia $1.5B 12% of world exports
World total: $12.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $3.3B 27% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $1.4B 12% of world imports
- 3 China $1.2B 9.6% of world imports
World total: $12.2B 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 palladium catalysts
Brazil splits HS 3815.12 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 3815.12.10Precious-metal honeycomb catalysts for exhausts
- 3815.12.20Precious-metal catalysts, particles under 500 µm
- 3815.12.90Other supported precious-metal catalysts
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about palladium catalysts
What is the HS code for Palladium catalysts?
The HS code for Palladium catalysts is 381512 (Catalysts, supported; reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, with precious metal or precious metal compounds as the active substance, n.e.c. or included). The correct HS code for supported palladium catalysts is 3815.12.
How do I classify Palladium catalysts for customs?
Palladium catalysts is classified under HS code 381512 — Catalysts, supported; reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic preparations, with precious metal or precious metal compounds as the active substance, n.e.c. or included. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include palladium compounds used as catalysts?
If the palladium compound is a separate chemically defined substance (like palladium chloride), it belongs in 2843. If it is a prepared catalyst on a support, it belongs in 3815.12.
Which countries are the top exporters of palladium catalysts (HS 381512)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 381512 (the code used for palladium catalysts) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.8B, 23% of world exports), the United States ($1.5B) and North Macedonia ($1.5B). World exports came to about $12.2B, 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 palladium catalysts (HS 381512)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 381512 (the code used for palladium catalysts) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.3B, 27% of world imports), Mexico ($1.4B) and China ($1.2B). World imports came to about $12.2B, 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 Palladium catalysts the same in all countries?
The base HS code 381512 for Palladium catalysts 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 palladium catalysts in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 381512 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for palladium catalysts depends on the product's details: 3815.12.10 (Precious-metal honeycomb catalysts for exhausts), 3815.12.20 (Precious-metal catalysts, particles under 500 µm), 3815.12.90 (Other supported precious-metal catalysts).