Product classification

HS code for Plant growth regulator: 3808.93

Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles.

Classification of plant growth regulator under HS 3808.93

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are classified under HS code 3808.93. These substances are distinct from fertilizers because they do not provide essential nutrients like nitrogen or phosphorus; instead, they are chemical compounds that alter the physiological processes of a plant. This includes substances that promote, inhibit, or otherwise modify plant growth, flowering, or fruit ripening. The classification under 3808.93 is determined by the product's function as a regulator and its presentation as a preparation or retail-ready product. Chapter 38 covers miscellaneous chemical products, and heading 3808 specifically groups pesticides and growth regulators. The Harmonized System distinguishes these from pure hormones (which might fall under Chapter 29) by looking at whether the product is a "preparation"—meaning it has been mixed with other substances to facilitate application. This code is essential for regulating the import of agricultural stimulants and ensuring they meet local environmental and safety standards.

Covers
  • Auxins and Gibberellins for fruit set enhancement
  • Cytokinins for cell division promotion
  • Ethylene inhibitors for shelf-life extension
  • Rooting hormones in powder or gel form
  • Anti-sprouting products for potato storage
Also under 3808.93
  • Roundup Weed & Grass Killer
  • Spectracide Weed Stop for Lawns
  • Ortho GroundClear
  • Scotts Weed B Gon
  • Bonide Sucker Punch.

Codes often confused with 3808.93

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 3105, which covers fertilizers. Importers often confuse growth stimulants with nutrients. Another common error is using HS code 3808.93 for herbicides; while they share the same subheading level in some tariffs, herbicides are technically distinct, though they are grouped in the same 3808.93 category in many international versions. Pure synthetic hormones may also be wrongly placed in 2937.

31.05Fertilizers; 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 10kg29.37Hormones, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leukotrienes, natural or reproduced by synthesis; derivatives and structural analogues thereof, including chain modified polypeptides, used primarily as hormones.

Top exporters and importers of HS 380893 (the code used for plant growth regulator), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380893 (the code used for plant growth regulator) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 15% 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 380893, not only plant growth regulator.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $5.8B
  2. 2 United States $1.4B
  3. 3 India $1.4B

World total: $15.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Brazil $2.3B
  2. 2 Canada $1.0B
  3. 3 Australia $803M

World total: $15.3B 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 plant growth regulator

Brazil splits HS 3808.93 into 19 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 plant growth regulator

What is the HS code for Plant growth regulator?

The HS code for Plant growth regulator is 380893 (Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators; other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles). The HS code for plant growth regulators, including anti-sprouting products, is 3808.93.

How do I classify Plant growth regulator for customs?

Plant growth regulator is classified under HS code 380893 — Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators; other than containing goods of Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are seaweed extracts classified here?

If the seaweed extract is marketed primarily as a growth regulator and contains added chemicals to perform that function, it may fall under 3808.93; however, pure organic seaweed fertilizers are often classified under 3101.

Which countries are the top exporters of plant growth regulator (HS 380893)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380893 (the code used for plant growth regulator) in UN Comtrade data were China ($5.8B, 38% of world exports), the United States ($1.4B) and India ($1.4B). World exports came to about $15.2B, 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 plant growth regulator (HS 380893)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 380893 (the code used for plant growth regulator) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($2.3B, 15% of world imports), Canada ($1.0B) and Australia ($803M). World imports came to about $15.3B, 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 Plant growth regulator the same in all countries?

The base HS code 380893 for Plant growth regulator 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 plant growth regulator in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 380893 into 19 NCM codes, so the right one for plant growth regulator depends on the product's details: 3808.93.11 (Household herbicides with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.93.19 (Other household herbicides), 3808.93.21 (Other herbicides with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.93.22 (2,4-D, 2,4-DB or MCPA herbicides), 3808.93.23 (Atrazine or diuron herbicides), 3808.93.24 (Glyphosate, imazaquin or lactofen herbicides), and more.