Product classification
HS code for Waste brake fluid: 3825.50
Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids.
Classification of waste brake fluid under HS 3825.50
Waste brake fluid is classified under HS code 3825.50. This code is situated within Chapter 38, which encompasses miscellaneous chemical products, and specifically falls under the heading for residual products of chemical or allied industries. The classification 3825.50 is explicitly defined to include wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids, and anti-freeze fluids. The logic behind this classification is that once brake fluid has been drained from a vehicle or machinery due to contamination, degradation, or moisture absorption, it loses its functional utility as a prepared hydraulic fluid. Consequently, it is treated as a chemical waste product. This classification is vital for international trade and environmental tracking, as it distinguishes hazardous or non-hazardous chemical waste from commercial-grade chemical preparations. It is important for exporters to note that this code applies to the fluid regardless of its chemical base, provided it is being discarded as waste.
- Covers
- Used glycol-ether based brake fluids (DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1)
- Spent silicone-based brake fluids (DOT 5)
- Contaminated hydraulic mineral oils used in braking systems
- Residual fluids from automotive service centers and salvage yards
- Degraded hydraulic transmission fluids classified as waste
- Also under 3825.50
- Waste acid baths from steel mills
- used brake fluid from car repair shops
- drained antifreeze from vehicle maintenance
- spent hydraulic oil from heavy machinery
- waste coolant from industrial chillers
Codes often confused with 3825.50
Common mistake. Waste brake fluid is often misclassified under HS code 3819.00. HS code 3819.00 is intended for hydraulic brake fluids and other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission that are in a new, usable condition. Additionally, some may attempt to use HS code 2710.99, which is a general category for "other" waste oils. However, because 3825.50 specifically names brake fluids in its description, it takes precedence over the more general waste oil codes in Chapter 27.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382550 (the code used for waste brake fluid), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382550 (the code used for waste brake fluid) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 18% 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 382550, not only waste brake fluid.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.9M 37% of world exports
- 2 United States $987K 19% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $402K 7.8% of world exports
World total: $5.1M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $964K 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $932K 17% of world imports
- 3 Canada $631K 12% of world imports
World total: $5.4M 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 code for waste brake fluid
Brazil classifies waste brake fluid under NCM 3825.50.00: HS 3825.50 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about waste brake fluid
What is the HS code for Waste brake fluid?
The HS code for Waste brake fluid is 382550 (Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids). The specific HS code for waste brake fluid is 3825.50.
How do I classify Waste brake fluid for customs?
Waste brake fluid is classified under HS code 382550 — Residual products of chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; wastes of metal pickling liquors, hydraulic fluids, brake fluids and anti-freeze fluids. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is there a difference between DOT 3 and DOT 5 waste classification?
No, regardless of the DOT rating or chemical base (glycol or silicone), once the fluid is classified as waste, it falls under 3825.50.
Which countries are the top exporters of waste brake fluid (HS 382550)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382550 (the code used for waste brake fluid) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.9M, 37% of world exports), the United States ($987K) and the Netherlands ($402K). World exports came to about $5.1M, 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 waste brake fluid (HS 382550)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382550 (the code used for waste brake fluid) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($964K, 18% of world imports), Germany ($932K) and Canada ($631K). World imports came to about $5.4M, 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 Waste brake fluid the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382550 for Waste brake fluid 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 waste brake fluid in Brazil?
In Brazil, waste brake fluid (HS 382550) is classified under NCM 3825.50.00.