What are the HS codes for inorganic chemicals?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
HS-2 · Chapter 28
HS chapter 28: Inorganic chemicals
Section VI — Products of the chemical or allied industries
Inorganic chemicals, including substances like sulfuric acid and carbon black, fall under HS-28. For instance, if you're importing hydrochloric acid in bulk for industrial use, this chapter is essential for determining the correct classification.
To navigate HS-4 codes, start by identifying the specific chemical or compound. For example, if your product is a type of oxide, check the relevant headings from 2801 to 2846. Each heading narrows down your options based on chemical composition and form.
Next, drill down to HS-6 by examining the notes and exclusions associated with each HS-4 heading. For example, if you're dealing with sodium hydroxide, ensure it aligns with the specifications in heading 2815 to avoid misclassification.
Pay close attention to packaging forms, purity levels, and intended end-use. If your product is a liquid solution versus a solid compound, this will influence the final code selection. Always consult with a customs broker if you're uncertain about the classification.
Terms & reference phrasing
These are common trade terms used for this chapter. Use them as context, not as a substitute for legal wording.
inorganic chemicals · precious metals compounds · sulfuric acid · hydrochloric acid · sodium hydroxide · carbon black · rare earth metals · isotopes · chemical classification · HS-28 · chemical import codes · bulk chemical shipments · acid classifications · chemical end-use · customs classification · HS-4 headings · HS-6 codes · chemical purity levels
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Related topics
Longer phrases that come up when you're comparing codes or talking to a broker.
- how to classify inorganic chemicals for customs
- finding the right HS code for sulfuric acid
- navigating HS-28 for chemical imports
- understanding HS-4 headings for trade
- determining HS-6 codes for chemical compounds
- impact of product form on HS code selection
- consulting a broker for chemical classifications
- specific notes for rare earth metal compounds
Examples & common questions
Example products reflect typical trade descriptions. The questions below mirror practical doubts teams raise during filing.
Example products
- Hydrochloric acid (HS-2806) in bulk containers.
- Carbon black (HS-2803) used in rubber manufacturing.
- Sodium hydroxide (HS-2815) for chemical processing.
- Sulfuric acid (HS-2807) for battery production.
- Rare earth metal compounds (HS-2846) for electronics.
- Hydrogen peroxide (HS-2847) in industrial cleaning solutions.
- Ammonium sulfate (HS-2834) as a fertilizer.
- Cobalt oxides (HS-2822) for battery applications.
Common classification questions
How to classify hydrochloric acid for import?
Confirm composition, processing stage, and end-use in your documents before mapping to country digits.
What is the difference between HS-4 and HS-6?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
How do I find the right HS code for rare earth metals?
Pick the chapter first, then compare heading wording and exclusions before choosing an HS-6 line.
What notes should I check for sodium hydroxide classification?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
How to classify carbon black in trade?
Use it as a chapter cue, then verify the final choice against heading and subheading legal wording.
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What types of products are classified under HS-28?
- HS-28 covers inorganic chemicals, compounds of precious metals, rare earth metals, and isotopes, including acids, oxides, and salts.
- How do I determine the correct HS-4 code?
- Identify the specific chemical or compound, then refer to the relevant HS-4 headings that categorize them based on composition and form.
- What should I check in the notes for classification?
- Review the notes for exclusions, definitions, and specific criteria that may affect the classification of your product.
- Can packaging affect the HS code I choose?
- Yes, the form of the product, such as liquid versus solid, can influence the final HS code selection.
- When should I consult a customs broker?
- Consult a customs broker if you're uncertain about the classification or if your product has complex specifications.
All HS-4 headings in chapter 28 (50)
Each HS-4 links to a dedicated page with plain-English explanation, HS-6 subheadings, and FAQs. Use Browse to open the lookup in heading mode for that line.
2801
Fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine
2802
Sulphur; sublimed or precipitated, colloidal sulphur
2803
Carbon; carbon blacks and other forms of carbon n.e.c.
2804
Hydrogen, rare gases and other non-metals
2805
Alkali or alkaline-earth metals; rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed; mercury
2806
Hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid); chlorosulphuric acid
2807
Sulphuric acid; oleum
2808
Nitric acid; sulphonitric acids
2809
Diphosphorus pentaoxide; phosphoric acid; polyphosphoric acids, whether or not chemically defined
2810
Oxides of boron; boric acids
2811
Inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals; n.e.c. in heading no. 2806 to 2810
2812
Halides and halide oxides of non-metals
2813
Sulphides of non-metals; commercial phosphorus trisulphide
2814
Ammonia; anhydrous or in aqueous solution
2815
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) peroxides of sodium or potassium
2816
Hydroxide and peroxide of magnesium; oxides, hydroxides and peroxides of strontium or barium
2817
Zinc; oxide and peroxide
2818
Aluminium oxide (including artificial corundum); aluminium hydroxide
2819
Chromium oxides and hydroxides
2820
Manganese oxides
2821
Iron oxides and hydroxides; earth colours containing 70% or more by weight of combined iron evaluated as Fe2o3
2822
Cobalt oxides and hydroxides; commercial cobalt oxides
2823
Titanium oxides
2824
Lead oxides; red lead and orange lead
2825
Hydrazine and hydroxylamine and their inorganic salts; other inorganic bases; other metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxides
2826
Fluorides; fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts
2827
Chlorides; chloride oxides and chloride hydroxides; bromides and bromide oxides; iodides and iodide oxides
2828
Hypochlorites; commercial calcium hypochlorite; chlorites; hypobromites
2829
Chlorates and perchlorates; bromates and perbromates; iodates and periodates
2830
Sulphides; polysulphides whether or not chemically defined
2831
Dithionites and sulphoxylates
2832
Sulphites; thiosulphates
2833
Sulphates; alums; peroxosulphates (persulphates)
2834
Nitrites; nitrates
2835
Phosphinates (hypophosphites), phosphonates (phosphites), and phosphates; and polyphosphates, whether or not chemically defined
2836
Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate
2837
Cyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanides
2839
Silicates; commercial alkali metal silicates
2840
Borates; peroxoborates (perborates)
2841
Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids
2842
Salts of inorganic acids or peroxoacids, n.e.c. including aluminosilicates whether or not chemically defined, but excluding azides
2843
Colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals
2844
Radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes (including the fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes); and their compounds; mixtures and residues containing these products
2845
Isotopes other than those of heading no. 2844; compounds, inorganic or organic, of such isotopes, whether or not chemically defined
2846
Compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals; of yttrium or of scandium or of mixtures of these metals
2847
Hydrogen peroxide; whether or not solidified with urea
2849
Carbides, whether or not chemically defined
2850
Hydrides, nitrides, azides, silicides and borides, whether or not chemically defined, other than compounds which are also carbides of heading no. 2849
2852
Inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, excluding amalgams, whether or not chemically defined
2853
Phosphides, chemically defined or not, not ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds n.e.c. (including distilled, conductivity water and water of like purity); liquid air, rare gases removed or not; compressed air; amalgams, not precious metal amalgams
Browse first heading (HS-4 2801)
Opens the lookup in heading browse for the first HS-4 block in this chapter (2801). Prefer the table above for a specific HS-4 page with full copy.
Before you file customs documents
Chapter pages on TradeTools are educational summaries, not legal classification determinations. Cross-check candidate codes with official notes, advance rulings where available, and your broker for high-value or borderline goods.
How we classify products explains what TradeTools does (and does not) automate.