Product classification

HS code for Photo developing chemicals: 3707.90

Photographic goods, chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use.

Classification of photo developing chemicals under HS 3707.90

Photographic chemicals are classified under HS code 3707.90 when they are prepared for use in the development and finishing of photographic materials. This code is part of Chapter 37, which is dedicated to photographic and cinematographic products. The classification logic requires that the chemicals be either put up in measured portions or packaged for retail sale in a form ready for immediate use. This heading is essential because it distinguishes specialized photographic preparations from bulk industrial chemicals. Even if the substance is a common chemical like sodium thiosulfate, it is classified here if it is packaged specifically for photographic use. Subheading 3707.90 serves as the residual category for all photographic chemical preparations that are not sensitizing emulsions, which are specifically carved out in 3707.10. The classification applies regardless of whether the chemicals are intended for professional laboratory use or amateur darkroom kits.

Covers
  • Film and paper developers (liquid or powder)
  • Fixing solutions and hardening agents
  • Stop baths and clearing agents
  • Chemical toners for photographic prints
  • Bleach-fix (blix) for color processing
Also under 3707.90
  • Kodak D-76 developer
  • Ilford ID-11 developer
  • Fuji Hunt X-Press fixer
  • Tetenal C-41 kit
  • Adox Adonal developer

Codes often confused with 3707.90

Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with Chapters 28 and 29. Importers often attempt to classify photographic chemicals as separate chemically defined compounds, such as 2832.10 for sodium sulfites. However, Note 2 to Chapter 37 states that Heading 3707 takes precedence if the chemicals are in measured portions or retail packaging for photographic use. Another confusion arises with 3707.10, which is strictly for sensitizing emulsions used to coat film or paper. If the chemical is a developer, fixer, or toner, it must stay in 3707.90. Furthermore, cleaning agents for photographic equipment that do not participate in the chemical image-forming process might be classified under 3402 rather than 3707.

3707.10Photographic goods; sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use2832.10Sulphites; of sodium37.07Chemical preparations for photographic uses (other than varnishes, glues, adhesives and similar preparations); unmixed products for photographic uses, put up in measured portions or for retail sale34.02Organic surface-active agents (not soap); surface-active, washing (including auxiliary washing) and cleaning preparations, containing soap or not, excluding those of heading no. 3401

Top exporters and importers of HS 370790 (the code used for photo developing chemicals), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 370790 (the code used for photo developing chemicals) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 52% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% 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 370790, not only photo developing chemicals.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Japan $3.5B
  2. 2 South Korea $681M
  3. 3 United States $624M

World total: $6.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $2.6B
  2. 2 Taiwan* ~$1.1B
  3. 3 South Korea $570M

World total: $7.0B 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 photo developing chemicals

Brazil splits HS 3707.90 into 5 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 photo developing chemicals

What is the HS code for Photo developing chemicals?

The HS code for Photo developing chemicals is 370790 (Photographic goods; chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use). The standard HS code is 3707.90, covering chemical preparations for photographic use put up in retail packaging or measured portions.

How do I classify Photo developing chemicals for customs?

Photo developing chemicals is classified under HS code 370790 — Photographic goods; chemical preparations other than sensitised emulsions, put up in measured portions or put up for retail sale in a form ready for use. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are bulk chemicals classified here?

No, bulk chemicals not in measured portions or retail packaging are typically classified in Chapter 28 or 29 according to their chemical composition, unless they are mixtures of two or more substances specifically for photographic use.

Which countries are the top exporters of photo developing chemicals (HS 370790)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 370790 (the code used for photo developing chemicals) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($3.5B, 52% of world exports), South Korea ($681M) and the United States ($624M). World exports came to about $6.7B, 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 photo developing chemicals (HS 370790)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 370790 (the code used for photo developing chemicals) in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.6B, 37% of world imports), Taiwan (about $1.1B) and South Korea ($570M). World imports came to about $7.0B, 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.

Is the HS code for Photo developing chemicals the same in all countries?

The base HS code 370790 for Photo developing chemicals 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 photo developing chemicals in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 370790 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for photo developing chemicals depends on the product's details: 3707.90.10 (Photographic fixers), 3707.90.21 (Electrostatic copier developers (toners)), 3707.90.29 (Other photographic developers), 3707.90.30 (Photosensitive diazo compounds for emulsions), 3707.90.90 (Other photographic chemical preparations).