Product classification

HS code for Phosphate fertilizer: 3103.90

Fertilizers, mineral or chemical, phosphatic, n.e.c. in heading no. 3103.

Classification of phosphate fertilizer under HS 3103.90

Phosphate fertilizers are classified under HS code 3103.90 according to the standards set by the World Customs Organization. Chapter 31 of the Harmonized System is dedicated to fertilizers, whether mineral or chemical. Heading 3103 specifically covers phosphatic fertilizers. While subheadings 3103.11 and 3103.19 are reserved for superphosphates, the 3103.90 code serves as a residual category for other phosphatic fertilizers that do not meet the specific criteria of superphosphates. This classification is essential for monitoring the trade of agricultural inputs and ensuring that chemical compositions are accurately reported for environmental and safety regulations. The product must primarily provide phosphorus as a nutrient to be classified here, and it must not contain nitrogen or potassium in quantities that would trigger a multi-nutrient classification under heading 3105. The classification process involves analyzing the chemical purity and the manufacturing process, such as whether the phosphate has been chemically treated or remains in a basic mineral form intended for soil enrichment.

Covers
  • Basic slag (Thomas slag)
  • Calcined natural phosphates
  • Fused magnesium phosphates
  • Other mineral phosphatic fertilizers not elsewhere specified
  • Ground phosphatic rock treated for fertilizer use
Also under 3103.90
  • Thomas slag (various producers)
  • Fused Magnesium Phosphate (FMP)
  • various treated rock phosphate products.

Codes often confused with 3103.90

Common mistake. Phosphate fertilizers are often misclassified under 3103.11 or 3103.19, which are strictly for superphosphates. They are also confused with 3105.60, which is for fertilizers containing both phosphorus and potassium. If the product contains any nitrogen, it must be moved to heading 3105, specifically 3105.20 or 3105.30, depending on the other elements present.

3103.11Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; phosphatic, superphosphates, containing by weight 35% or more of diphosphorus pentaoxide (P2O5)3103.19Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; phosphatic, superphosphates, other than containing by weight 35% or more of diphosphorus pentaoxide (P2O5)3105.60Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; containing the two fertilizing elements phosphorus and potassium31.05Fertilizers; mineral or chemical, containing 2 or 3 of the elements nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium; other fertilisers; goods of chapter 31 in tablets or packages of gross weight not exceeding 10kg3105.20Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium3105.30Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate)

Top exporters and importers of HS 310390 (the code used for phosphate fertilizer), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 310390 (the code used for phosphate fertilizer) in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 32% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 77% of its exports here ($16M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 310390, not only phosphate fertilizer.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Russia* ~$72M
  2. 2 Egypt $66M
  3. 3 Spain $22M

Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 77% of its exports here ($16M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.

World total: $257M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Indonesia $179M
  2. 2 Brazil $150M
  3. 3 United States $84M

World total: $551M 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. 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 phosphate fertilizer

Brazil splits HS 3103.90 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 3103.90.11Calcium hydrogenorthophosphate, 46% P2O5 or less
  • 3103.90.19Calcium hydrogenorthophosphate, over 46% P2O5
  • 3103.90.90Other phosphatic fertilizers

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

Questions about phosphate fertilizer

What is the HS code for Phosphate fertilizer?

The HS code for Phosphate fertilizer is 310390 (Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; phosphatic, n.e.c. in heading no. 3103). The HS code for mineral or chemical phosphatic fertilizers (excluding superphosphates) is 3103.90.

How do I classify Phosphate fertilizer for customs?

Phosphate fertilizer is classified under HS code 310390 — Fertilizers, mineral or chemical; phosphatic, n.e.c. in heading no. 3103. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Can a fertilizer with nitrogen be classified here?

No, if a fertilizer contains nitrogen in addition to phosphorus, it is classified under heading 3105.

Which countries are the top exporters of phosphate fertilizer (HS 310390)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 310390 (the code used for phosphate fertilizer) in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $72M, 28% of world exports), Egypt ($66M) and Spain ($22M). World exports came to about $257M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 77% of its exports here ($16M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.

Which countries are the top importers of phosphate fertilizer (HS 310390)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 310390 (the code used for phosphate fertilizer) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($179M, 32% of world imports), Brazil ($150M) and the United States ($84M). World imports came to about $551M, 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 Phosphate fertilizer the same in all countries?

The base HS code 310390 for Phosphate fertilizer 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 phosphate fertilizer in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 310390 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for phosphate fertilizer depends on the product's details: 3103.90.11 (Calcium hydrogenorthophosphate, 46% P2O5 or less), 3103.90.19 (Calcium hydrogenorthophosphate, over 46% P2O5), 3103.90.90 (Other phosphatic fertilizers).