Product classification
HS code for Propellant powder: 3601.00
Explosives, propellent powders.
Classification of propellant powder under HS 3601.00
Propellant powder is classified under HS code 3601.00, which is the dedicated heading for explosives and pyrotechnic products. This classification is determined by the chemical nature and the intended function of the substance. Propellant powders are mixtures of chemical compounds that undergo rapid combustion (deflagration) rather than detonation to produce a high volume of gas. This gas pressure is used to propel a projectile from a firearm or to provide thrust for a rocket. The most common types are black powder (a mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate) and smokeless powders based on nitrocellulose. Because these substances are designed to release energy in a controlled manner to perform mechanical work, they are distinct from the high explosives found in 36.02. The classification in 3601.00 is strictly for the powder in bulk or in measured charges that have not yet been assembled into finished ammunition. The safety and regulatory requirements for these materials are reflected in their placement within Chapter 36, which handles all energetic materials.
- Covers
- Black powder (gunpowder)
- Smokeless nitrocellulose-based powder
- Double-base powders (nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin)
- Propellant charges for rocket motors
- Solid propellants for industrial tools
- Also under 3601.00
- Hodgdon H4895
- Alliant Reloder 15
- Winchester 231
- Vihtavuori N140
- IMR 4064
Codes often confused with 3601.00
Common mistake. Propellant powder is often confused with 36.02, which covers prepared explosives like TNT or dynamite; the difference lies in the rate of reaction (burning vs. detonating). It is also sometimes misclassified under 29.04 if the importer views it as a pure chemical compound like nitrocellulose, but once it is prepared as a propellant, Chapter 36 takes precedence. Finished cartridges containing powder are classified in 93.06.
Top exporters and importers of HS 360100 (the code used for propellant powder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 360100 (the code used for propellant powder) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, 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 360100, not only propellant powder.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $168M 14% of world exports
- 2 Canada $152M 13% of world exports
- 3 France $135M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $208M 15% of world imports
- 2 Slovakia $168M 12% of world imports
- 3 United States $163M 12% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 propellant powder
Brazil classifies propellant powder under NCM 3601.00.00: HS 3601.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about propellant powder
What is the HS code for Propellant powder?
The HS code for Propellant powder is 360100 (Explosives; propellent powders). The HS code for propellant powders, including both black and smokeless varieties, is 3601.00.
How do I classify Propellant powder for customs?
Propellant powder is classified under HS code 360100 — Explosives; propellent powders. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include fireworks?
No, fireworks and other pyrotechnic articles are classified under HS code 36.04, as they are designed for entertainment rather than propulsion.
Which countries are the top exporters of propellant powder (HS 360100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 360100 (the code used for propellant powder) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($168M, 14% of world exports), Canada ($152M) and France ($135M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 propellant powder (HS 360100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 360100 (the code used for propellant powder) in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($208M, 15% of world imports), Slovakia ($168M) and the United States ($163M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 Propellant powder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 360100 for Propellant powder 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 propellant powder in Brazil?
In Brazil, propellant powder (HS 360100) is classified under NCM 3601.00.00.