Product classification

HS code for Surface cleaner: 3808.94

Disinfectants, other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles.

Classification of surface cleaner under HS 3808.94

Surface cleaners with disinfectant properties are classified under HS code 3808.94. This classification is part of Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3808 specifically includes insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, and disinfectants. For a surface cleaner to fall under 3808.94, it must be formulated to destroy or irreversibly inactivate bacteria, viruses, or fungi on inanimate surfaces. This distinguishes it from general detergents. The classification applies whether the product is in bulk or put up in forms or packings for retail sale. The presence of active biocidal ingredients, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, alcohols, or bleach in concentrations intended for disinfection, is the primary driver for this classification under the General Rules for Interpretation.

Covers
  • Antibacterial surface sprays
  • Hospital-grade disinfectants
  • Sanitizing wipes (impregnated with disinfectant)
  • Industrial biocidal surface washes
  • Alcohol-based surface sanitizers
Also under 3808.94
  • Lysol Disinfectant Spray
  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
  • Dettol Antiseptic Liquid
  • Purell Hand Sanitizer
  • Microban 24.

Codes often confused with 3808.94

Common mistake. Surface cleaners are often misclassified under 3402.50. The distinction lies in the primary claim: if the product is marketed and formulated primarily for cleaning (removing dirt), it belongs in 3402. If it is marketed and formulated for disinfecting (killing germs), it belongs in 3808.94. Using the wrong code can lead to issues with chemical regulation compliance and differing duty rates.

3402.50Washing and cleaning preparations; powders, flakes and granules, surface-active, whether or not containing soap (excluding those of heading no. 3401), put up 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 380894 (the code used for surface cleaner), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380894 (the code used for surface cleaner) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.9% 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 380894, not only surface cleaner.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $497M
  2. 2 United States $445M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $332M

World total: $3.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $338M
  2. 2 France $232M
  3. 3 United States $229M

World total: $3.8B 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 surface cleaner

Brazil splits HS 3808.94 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 surface cleaner

What is the HS code for Surface cleaner?

The HS code for Surface cleaner is 380894 (Disinfectants; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles). If the surface cleaner has disinfectant properties, the HS code is 3808.94. General cleaners without such claims are under 3402.50.

How do I classify Surface cleaner for customs?

Surface cleaner is classified under HS code 380894 — Disinfectants; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 in this Chapter; put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Do sanitizing wipes fall under this code?

Yes, wipes impregnated with disinfectant chemicals for surface use are generally classified under 3808.94.

Which countries are the top exporters of surface cleaner (HS 380894)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380894 (the code used for surface cleaner) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($497M, 14% of world exports), the United States ($445M) and the United Kingdom ($332M). World exports came to about $3.5B, 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 surface cleaner (HS 380894)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 380894 (the code used for surface cleaner) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($338M, 8.9% of world imports), France ($232M) and the United States ($229M). World imports came to about $3.8B, 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 Surface cleaner the same in all countries?

The base HS code 380894 for Surface cleaner 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 surface cleaner in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 380894 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for surface cleaner depends on the product's details: 3808.94.11 (Household disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.94.19 (Other household disinfectants), 3808.94.21 (Other disinfectants with bromo(chloro)methane), 3808.94.22 (2-(Thiocyanomethylthio)benzothiazole disinfectants), 3808.94.29 (Other disinfectants).