Product classification

HS code for Terpene oils: 3805.90

Terpenic oils, produced by the treatment of coniferous woods, crude dipentene, sulphite turpentine and other crude para-cymene, n.e.c. in heading no. 3805.

Classification of terpene oils under HS 3805.90

Terpene oils are classified under HS code 3805.90 because they are primarily industrial by-products derived from the chemical or mechanical treatment of coniferous woods. This heading specifically covers terpenic oils produced by the distillation or other treatment of pine wood, including products like crude dipentene and pine oil. Unlike essential oils used for fragrance, these oils are often recovered during the kraft (sulphate) pulping process or through the steam distillation of wood chips. The classification is determined by the product's origin as a wood-processing derivative and its chemical composition, which consists of mixed terpene hydrocarbons. Under the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation, these products fall into Chapter 38 for miscellaneous chemical products rather than Chapter 29, as they are typically complex mixtures rather than chemically pure isolated compounds.

Covers
  • Crude dipentene
  • Sulphite turpentine
  • Pine oil (not containing alpha-terpineol as the main constituent)
  • Crude para-cymene
  • Terpenic by-products of wood pulp manufacture
Also under 3805.90
  • DRT (pine chemicals)
  • Kraton (pine chemicals)
  • Forchem
  • Georgia-Pacific Chemicals
  • Pine Chemical Group

Codes often confused with 3805.90

Common mistake. Terpene oils are frequently misclassified under HS code 3301.90, which covers terpenic by-products of the deterpenation of essential oils. The key difference lies in the source: 3805.90 is for wood-derived oils, while 3301.90 is for oils derived from fruits, flowers, or herbs. Another common error is using HS code 2902.19 for cyclic terpenes; however, Chapter 29 is reserved for separate chemically defined compounds, whereas 3805.90 covers technical-grade mixtures.

3301.90Oils, essential; concentrates in fats, fixed oils, waxes and the like, terpenic by-products, aqueous distillates and solutions, extracted oleoresins, n.e.c. in heading no. 33012902.19Cyclic hydrocarbons; cyclanes, cyclenes and cycloterpenes, excluding cyclohexane

Top exporters and importers of HS 380590 (the code used for terpene oils), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380590 (the code used for terpene oils) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Africa, 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 380590, not only terpene oils.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 India $21M
  2. 2 United States $19M
  3. 3 China $13M

World total: $81M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Africa $7.0M
  2. 2 Indonesia $5.0M
  3. 3 India $4.9M

World total: $72M 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 terpene oils

Brazil splits HS 3805.90 into 2 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 terpene oils

What is the HS code for Terpene oils?

The HS code for Terpene oils is 380590 (Terpenic oils; produced by the treatment of coniferous woods, crude dipentene, sulphite turpentine and other crude para-cymene, n.e.c. in heading no. 3805). The HS code for terpene oils produced by the treatment of coniferous woods is 3805.90.

How do I classify Terpene oils for customs?

Terpene oils is classified under HS code 380590 — Terpenic oils; produced by the treatment of coniferous woods, crude dipentene, sulphite turpentine and other crude para-cymene, n.e.c. in heading no. 3805. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How does 3805.90 differ from 3805.10?

HS code 3805.10 is specifically for gum, wood, or sulphate turpentine oils, whereas 3805.90 is a residual category for other terpenic oils like crude dipentene and pine oil.

Which countries are the top exporters of terpene oils (HS 380590)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380590 (the code used for terpene oils) in UN Comtrade data were India ($21M, 26% of world exports), the United States ($19M) and China ($13M). World exports came to about $81M, 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 terpene oils (HS 380590)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 380590 (the code used for terpene oils) in UN Comtrade data were South Africa ($7.0M, 9.7% of world imports), Indonesia ($5.0M) and India ($4.9M). World imports came to about $72M, 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 Terpene oils the same in all countries?

The base HS code 380590 for Terpene oils 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 terpene oils in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 380590 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for terpene oils depends on the product's details: 3805.90.10 (Pine oil), 3805.90.90 (Other terpenic oils, dipentene and para-cymene).