Product classification
HS code for Plasticizers: 3812.20
Plasticisers, compound, for rubber or plastics.
Classification of plasticizers under HS 3812.20
The classification of plasticizers under HS code 381220 is determined by their chemical composition and intended industrial application. According to the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, products are classified based on their objective characteristics. HS code 381220 specifically covers compound plasticizers for rubber or plastics. These are not single chemically defined elements or compounds, which would typically fall under Chapter 28 or 29, but rather mixtures or preparations designed to increase the flexibility, transparency, or durability of polymers. The Explanatory Notes to heading 3812 indicate that this heading includes preparations that facilitate the incorporation of fillers or improve the properties of the final rubber or plastic product. When a plasticizer is a complex mixture of various esters or includes stabilizers and other additives, it moves from the specific chemical headings into the "Miscellaneous Chemical Products" of Chapter 38. This classification ensures that industrial-grade additives used in the manufacturing of PVC, synthetic rubber, and other elastomers are grouped logically for customs and trade statistics. The code 381220 is essential for identifying chemical blends that serve as functional additives in the polymer industry, distinguishing them from raw materials or finished plastic goods.
- Covers
- Phthalate-based compound plasticizers
- Adipate mixtures for low-temperature flexibility
- Trimellitate compounds for high-heat resistance
- Polymeric plasticizer blends
- Secondary plasticizers mixed with stabilizers
- Also under 3812.20
- DOP (Dioctyl phthalate)
- DINP (Diisononyl phthalate)
- DOTP (Dioctyl terephthalate)
- DEHP (Diethylhexyl phthalate)
- TOTM (Trioctyl trimellitate)
Codes often confused with 3812.20
Common mistake. Plasticizers are frequently misclassified under HS code 2917, which covers polycarboxylic acids and their derivatives. The distinction lies in purity; HS 2917 is for separate chemically defined compounds, whereas 381220 is for prepared compounds and mixtures. Another common error is using HS codes from 3901 to 3914, which are reserved for polymers in primary forms. If the substance is an additive rather than the base polymer, 381220 is generally the correct heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 381220 (the code used for plasticizers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 381220 (the code used for plasticizers) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.7% 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 381220, not only plasticizers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $140M 20% of world exports
- 2 China $112M 16% of world exports
- 3 Indonesia $77M 11% of world exports
World total: $705M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $77M 9.7% of world imports
- 2 China $67M 8.5% of world imports
- 3 Saudi Arabia $62M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $789M 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 plasticizers
Brazil classifies plasticizers under NCM 3812.20.00: HS 3812.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about plasticizers
What is the HS code for Plasticizers?
The HS code for Plasticizers is 381220 (Plasticisers, compound; for rubber or plastics). The HS code for compound plasticizers used for rubber or plastics is 381220.
How do I classify Plasticizers for customs?
Plasticizers is classified under HS code 381220 — Plasticisers, compound; for rubber or plastics. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I distinguish between HS 2917 and HS 381220?
HS 2917 is used for pure, single chemically defined organic compounds like Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) in its pure state. HS 381220 is used when the product is a mixture of different plasticizers or contains other functional additives.
Which countries are the top exporters of plasticizers (HS 381220)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 381220 (the code used for plasticizers) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($140M, 20% of world exports), China ($112M) and Indonesia ($77M). World exports came to about $705M, 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 plasticizers (HS 381220)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 381220 (the code used for plasticizers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($77M, 9.7% of world imports), China ($67M) and Saudi Arabia ($62M). World imports came to about $789M, 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 Plasticizers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 381220 for Plasticizers 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 plasticizers in Brazil?
In Brazil, plasticizers (HS 381220) is classified under NCM 3812.20.00.