HS Code for Silicone

Silicone is classified under HS code 3910.00 because it falls within Chapter 39, which covers plastics and articles thereof. Specifically, heading 3910 is reserved for silicones in primary forms. According to the Harmonized System Explanatory Notes, silicones are defined as non-chemically defined products containing in the molecule more than one silicon-oxygen-silicon link and containing organic groups connected to the silicon atoms by direct silicon-carbon bonds. To be classified here, the material must be in a primary form, such as liquids, pastes, blocks, lumps, or powders, as defined in Note 6 to Chapter 39. This classification is determined by the chemical structure of the polymer rather than its end-use, provided it has not been further worked into a finished article or a specific preparation like a sealant.

Products Included

• Silicone oils and fluids used as lubricants or heat-transfer media
• Silicone resins in liquid or powder form
• Silicone elastomers and gums before vulcanization
• Silicone emulsions and dispersions
• Silicone pastes used for industrial molding

Common Misclassification

Silicone products are frequently misclassified under HS code 3214.10, which covers glues and mastics. While silicone sealants are often referred to as "silicone," they are preparations containing fillers and are ready for use as caulking compounds, placing them in 3214. Silicone lubricants containing less than 70% petroleum oil might also be confused with 3403.99. Furthermore, silanes, which are the chemical precursors to silicones but do not contain the Si-O-Si chain, are classified as separate chemically defined compounds under heading 2931.90.

FAQ

What is the HS code for silicone?

The primary HS code for silicone in its raw or primary form is 3910.00.

Is silicone rubber classified under the same code?

If the silicone rubber is in a primary form (unvulcanized gum or paste), it remains in 3910.00. However, if it has been vulcanized and shaped into sheets, tubes, or profiles, it is classified in Chapter 40 (Rubber) or elsewhere in Chapter 39 depending on its specific composition and form.