Product classification
HS code for Water glass: 2839.19
Silicates, of sodium (excluding sodium metasilicates).
Classification of water glass under HS 2839.19
Water glass, chemically known as sodium silicate, is classified under HS code 2839.19. This classification falls within Chapter 28, which covers inorganic chemicals. Specifically, heading 2839 covers silicates, and subheading 2839.19 is designated for silicates of sodium other than sodium metasilicates. Water glass is produced by fusing sodium carbonate and silica sand, resulting in a product that is soluble in water. It is widely used in industrial applications, including as a detergent builder, a binder in cements, a soil stabilizer, and a preservative. The classification is based on the chemical identity of the substance as a separate chemically defined compound. Even though it is called \"glass,\" it is not a glass in the sense of Chapter 70 (Glass and Glassware) because it lacks the permanent vitrified structure and is chemically distinct as a salt of silicic acid.
- Covers
- Liquid sodium silicate
- Solid sodium silicate (lumps or cullet)
- Sodium orthosilicate
- Sodium sesquisilicate
- Hydrated sodium silicates
- Also under 2839.19
- PQ Corporation Sodium Silicate
- W. R. Grace Sodium Silicate
- BASF Sodium Silicate
Codes often confused with 2839.19
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 2839.11, which is specifically for sodium metasilicates. Sodium metasilicates have a specific molar ratio (1:1) and are distinct from the broader range of sodium silicates known as water glass. Another error is classifying it under 3824.99 as a chemical preparation, but since water glass is usually a single chemically defined compound, Chapter 28 is mandatory.
Top exporters and importers of HS 283919 (the code used for water glass), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 283919 (the code used for water glass) in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, 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 283919, not only water glass.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Poland $73M 15% of world exports
- 2 China $70M 15% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $60M 12% of world exports
World total: $482M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $47M 9.7% of world imports
- 2 France $33M 6.7% of world imports
- 3 United States $31M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $491M 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 water glass
Brazil classifies water glass under NCM 2839.19.00: HS 2839.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about water glass
What is the HS code for Water glass?
The HS code for Water glass is 283919 (Silicates; of sodium (excluding sodium metasilicates)). The HS code for water glass (sodium silicate) is 2839.19.
How do I classify Water glass for customs?
Water glass is classified under HS code 283919 — Silicates; of sodium (excluding sodium metasilicates). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is water glass classified as a type of glass?
No, despite its name, it is a chemical compound classified under 2839.19, not under the glassware chapter (Chapter 70).
Which countries are the top exporters of water glass (HS 283919)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 283919 (the code used for water glass) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($73M, 15% of world exports), China ($70M) and the Netherlands ($60M). World exports came to about $482M, 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 water glass (HS 283919)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 283919 (the code used for water glass) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($47M, 9.7% of world imports), France ($33M) and the United States ($31M). World imports came to about $491M, 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 Water glass the same in all countries?
The base HS code 283919 for Water glass 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 water glass in Brazil?
In Brazil, water glass (HS 283919) is classified under NCM 2839.19.00.