Product classification

HS code for Textile finishing agent: 3809.91

Finishing agents and dye carriers, to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the textile industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances).

Classification of textile finishing agent under HS 3809.91

Textile finishing agents are classified under HS code 3809.91 as part of Chapter 38, which encompasses miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3809 specifically covers finishing agents, dye carriers to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dyestuffs, and other preparations used in the textile, paper, or leather industries. The subheading 3809.91 is dedicated exclusively to products used in the textile industry that are not based on amylaceous (starch) substances. These chemical preparations are essential for imparting specific properties to fabrics, such as water repellency, crease resistance, or softness. The classification depends on the intended industrial application and the chemical base of the agent, ensuring that textile-specific chemicals are distinguished from those used in paper or leather processing.

Covers
  • Softening agents for cotton fabrics
  • Water-repellent finishes for outdoor textiles
  • Flame retardant chemicals for upholstery
  • Dye fixatives and carriers
  • Anti-static agents for synthetic fibers
  • Crease-resistant resins for apparel
Also under 3809.91
  • Archroma NuvaCryl
  • Huntsman Terasil
  • BASF Basosoft
  • Dow Corning Syl-Off
  • Tanatex Chemicals Tanapel

Codes often confused with 3809.91

Common mistake. These agents are often misclassified under 3809.10, which is specifically for finishing agents with a basis of amylaceous substances (starches). They may also be confused with 3809.92, which is intended for the paper industry, or 3809.93, which is for the leather industry. Additionally, pure chemicals that are not preparations may be incorrectly classified in Chapters 28 or 29 instead of the functional preparation category of 3809.

3809.10Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in textile, paper, leather etc industries, with basis of amylaceous substances, n.e.c.3809.92Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the paper industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances)3809.93Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the leather or like (excluding paper and textile) industries, (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances)38.09Finishing agents, dye carriers to accelerate the dyeing, fixing of dyestuffs, other products and preparations, of a kind used in the textile, paper, leather or like industries, n.e.c. or included

Top exporters and importers of HS 380991 (the code used for textile finishing agent), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 380991 (the code used for textile finishing agent) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 7.8% 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 380991, not only textile finishing agent.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Germany $376M
  2. 2 Czechia $297M
  3. 3 France $283M

World total: $3.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $272M
  2. 2 China $251M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $199M

World total: $3.5B 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 textile finishing agent

Brazil splits HS 3809.91 into 6 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 textile finishing agent

What is the HS code for Textile finishing agent?

The HS code for Textile finishing agent is 380991 (Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the textile industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances)). The HS code for textile finishing agents and dye carriers (excluding starch-based products) is 3809.91.

How do I classify Textile finishing agent for customs?

Textile finishing agent is classified under HS code 380991 — Finishing agents and dye carriers; to accelerate dyeing or fixing of dye-stuffs, other products and preparations, used in the textile industry (excluding those with a basis of amylaceous substances). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are starch-based stiffeners included in this code?

No, starch-based or amylaceous finishing agents are classified under HS code 3809.10, regardless of their use in the textile industry.

Which countries are the top exporters of textile finishing agent (HS 380991)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 380991 (the code used for textile finishing agent) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($376M, 12% of world exports), Czechia ($297M) and France ($283M). World exports came to about $3.3B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of textile finishing agent (HS 380991)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 380991 (the code used for textile finishing agent) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($272M, 7.8% of world imports), China ($251M) and the United Kingdom ($199M). World imports 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.

Is the HS code for Textile finishing agent the same in all countries?

The base HS code 380991 for Textile finishing agent 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 textile finishing agent in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 380991 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for textile finishing agent depends on the product's details: 3809.91.10 (Prepared textile dressings), 3809.91.20 (Textile mordant preparations), 3809.91.30 (Textile fireproofing products), 3809.91.41 (Paraffin or fatty acid textile waterproofers), 3809.91.49 (Other textile waterproofing agents), 3809.91.90 (Other textile finishing agents).