Product classification

HS code for Synthetic oil additive: 3811.29

Lubricating oil additives, not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals.

Classification of synthetic oil additive under HS 3811.29

HS code 3811.29 covers prepared additives for lubricating oils that do not contain petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. Chapter 38 encompasses miscellaneous chemical products, and heading 3811 specifically addresses anti-knock preparations, oxidation inhibitors, gum inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosive preparations, and other prepared additives for mineral oils or for other liquids used for the same purposes. The classification under 3811.29 is determined by the function of the product as an additive and its chemical composition. These additives are designed to enhance the performance of lubricants, such as by reducing friction, preventing oxidation, or maintaining viscosity across temperature ranges. Because this subheading specifies "not containing petroleum oils," it is used for purely synthetic additives or those using non-petroleum carriers. If the preparation contains 70% or more by weight of petroleum oils, it would be classified elsewhere, typically in Chapter 27. This distinction is vital for customs compliance, as petroleum-based products often face different regulatory and duty requirements compared to their fully synthetic counterparts.

Covers
  • Synthetic viscosity index improvers
  • Non-petroleum based anti-wear additives
  • Synthetic detergent additives for lubricants
  • Ashless dispersants for synthetic oils
  • Corrosion inhibitors for non-mineral lubricants
Also under 3811.29
  • Lubrizol Additives
  • Afton Chemical HiTEC
  • Infineum Additives
  • BASF Irgalube
  • Evonik Additives

Codes often confused with 3811.29

Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 3811.21, which is for lubricating oil additives that *do* contain petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals. Another error is classifying these under 2710, which is for the lubricating oils themselves, or 3403, which covers lubricating preparations that are not considered "additives" in the sense of heading 3811.

3811.21Lubricating oil additives; containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals27.10Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude; preparations n.e.c, containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals; these being the basic constituents of the preparations; waste oils34.03Lubricating preparations and those used in oil or grease treatment of textile and similar materials; excluding preparations containing 70% or more (by weight) of petroleum or bituminous mineral oils38.11Anti-knock preparations, oxidation and gum inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosive preparations and the like, for mineral oils (including gasoline) or other liquids used for the same purposes

Top exporters and importers of HS 381129 (the code used for synthetic oil additive), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 381129 (the code used for synthetic oil additive) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 20% 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 381129, not only synthetic oil additive.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $307M
  2. 2 South Korea $101M
  3. 3 Germany $76M

World total: $898M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Nigeria $268M
  2. 2 United States $162M
  3. 3 France $133M

World total: $1.3B 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 synthetic oil additive

Brazil splits HS 3811.29 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 3811.29.10Ashless dispersants without petroleum oils
  • 3811.29.20Metallic detergents without petroleum oils
  • 3811.29.90Other lube oil additives without petroleum oils

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about synthetic oil additive

What is the HS code for Synthetic oil additive?

The HS code for Synthetic oil additive is 381129 (Lubricating oil additives; not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals). The HS code for lubricating oil additives not containing petroleum oils is 3811.29.

How do I classify Synthetic oil additive for customs?

Synthetic oil additive is classified under HS code 381129 — Lubricating oil additives; not containing petroleum oils or oils obtained from bituminous minerals. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How does 3811.29 differ from 3811.21?

Code 3811.21 is for additives containing petroleum oils, while 3811.29 is for those that are free of petroleum or bituminous mineral oils.

Which countries are the top exporters of synthetic oil additive (HS 381129)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 381129 (the code used for synthetic oil additive) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($307M, 34% of world exports), South Korea ($101M) and Germany ($76M). World exports came to about $898M, 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 synthetic oil additive (HS 381129)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 381129 (the code used for synthetic oil additive) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($268M, 20% of world imports), the United States ($162M) and France ($133M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 Synthetic oil additive the same in all countries?

The base HS code 381129 for Synthetic oil additive 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 synthetic oil additive in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 381129 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for synthetic oil additive depends on the product's details: 3811.29.10 (Ashless dispersants without petroleum oils), 3811.29.20 (Metallic detergents without petroleum oils), 3811.29.90 (Other lube oil additives without petroleum oils).