Product classification
HS code for Waste organic solvents: 3825.49
Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included, waste organic solvents, other than halogenated.
Classification of waste organic solvents under HS 3825.49
Waste organic solvents are classified under HS code 3825.49 when they are non-halogenated. These substances are residual products from various chemical processes, such as industrial cleaning, degreasing, or chemical synthesis, where the solvent has become contaminated or spent. Chapter 38 covers miscellaneous chemical products, and heading 3825 is dedicated to clinical waste, municipal waste, and other residual products of chemical industries. Subheading 3825.49 specifically excludes halogenated solvents (those containing elements like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine), which are instead classified under 3825.41. The classification is based on the organic nature of the solvent and its status as a waste stream. These materials are typically destined for incineration, solvent recovery, or specialized chemical treatment rather than direct reuse.
- Covers
- Spent ethanol and isopropyl alcohol (non-halogenated)
- Waste acetone and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
- Used toluene, xylene, and benzene solvents
- Spent ethyl acetate and other esters
- Non-halogenated paint thinners and strippers (waste)
- Spent glycol ethers used as solvents
- Also under 3825.49
- Spent paint thinners
- used cleaning solvents from manufacturing
- waste solvents from printing inks
- discarded laboratory solvents (non-halogenated)
- used industrial degreasers
- waste lacquer thinners
Codes often confused with 3825.49
Common mistake. Waste organic solvents are frequently misclassified under 3825.41, which is only for halogenated solvents like trichloroethylene or methylene chloride. Another common error is using 3814.00, which is for new composite organic solvents and thinners. If the waste solvent is primarily petroleum-based and used as a fuel, it might be incorrectly placed in 2710.19 or 2710.99, but 3825.49 remains the specific heading for chemical waste solvents.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382549 (the code used for waste organic solvents), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382549 (the code used for waste organic solvents) in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, 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 382549, not only waste organic solvents.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Ireland $2.8M 24% of world exports
- 2 United States $2.5M 21% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.3M 11% of world exports
World total: $12M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $3.4M 20% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $3.2M 19% of world imports
- 3 Spain $2.5M 15% of world imports
World total: $17M 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 organic solvents
Brazil classifies waste organic solvents under NCM 3825.49.00: HS 3825.49 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about waste organic solvents
What is the HS code for Waste organic solvents?
The HS code for Waste organic solvents is 382549 (Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; waste organic solvents, other than halogenated). The HS code for non-halogenated waste organic solvents is 3825.49.
How do I classify Waste organic solvents for customs?
Waste organic solvents is classified under HS code 382549 — Residual products of the chemical or allied industries, not elsewhere specified or included; waste organic solvents, other than halogenated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I distinguish between 3825.41 and 3825.49?
Use 3825.41 if the solvent contains halogens (chlorine, fluorine, etc.). Use 3825.49 for all other organic waste solvents.
Which countries are the top exporters of waste organic solvents (HS 382549)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382549 (the code used for waste organic solvents) in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($2.8M, 24% of world exports), the United States ($2.5M) and Germany ($1.3M). World exports came to about $12M, 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 organic solvents (HS 382549)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382549 (the code used for waste organic solvents) in UN Comtrade data were France ($3.4M, 20% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($3.2M) and Spain ($2.5M). World imports came to about $17M, 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 organic solvents the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382549 for Waste organic solvents 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 organic solvents in Brazil?
In Brazil, waste organic solvents (HS 382549) is classified under NCM 3825.49.00.