Antioxidant Compound
CN β USProduct Images
AI Analysis
π§ͺ Antioxidant Compound (Chemical Preservatives & Health Additives)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional-Level Compliance Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: Do You Really Know What "Antioxidant Compound" Is?
"Antioxidant Compound" is not a single chemical entity but a category of substances used to prevent oxidation in various industries. In international trade, classification depends entirely on chemical structure and primary application. They are generally categorized into two main groups:
Industrial/Anti-oxidants (Hydrocarbon-based): Often derived from petroleum or synthetic processes, used in lubricants, plastics, fuels, and rubber to prevent degradation.
Food/Pharmaceutical Antioxidants: Specific chemical entities (e.g., BHA, BHT, Ascorbic Acid) used to preserve food freshness or as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
β οΈ Key Distinction Point:
- If the compound is a single defined chemical with a specific CAS number used in food/pharma β Usually falls under Chapter 29 (Organic Chemicals) or Chapter 21 (Food Preparations).
- If the compound is a mixture or preparation used for industrial purposes (e.g., added to oil) β Usually falls under Chapter 38 (Miscellaneous Chemical Products).
- Crucial Rule: Customs will look at the primary purpose and composition. Vague terms like "Antioxidant" in commercial invoices are a major red flag.
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)
| HS Code | Product Description | Application Scenario | Key Identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
2915.39.00 |
Acyclic saturated mono-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated, or nitrosated derivatives (e.g., specific synthetic antioxidants like BHT/BHA if listed here) | Food preservatives, industrial stabilizers | Specific CAS # required |
2932.20.00 |
Heterocyclic compounds with oxygen heteroatom only (e.g., certain phenolic antioxidants) | Industrial chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates | Chemical structure check |
2933.39.00 |
Heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen heteroatom only (e.g., some amine-based antioxidants) | Rubber processing, lubricant additives | Nitrogen-based structure |
3820.00.00 |
Preparations for preventing rust or corrosion of metals (often contain antioxidant additives) | Metalworking fluids, fuel additives | Mixture/Preparation status |
3824.99.99 |
Other prepared binders for foundry molds/cores; Other chemical products & preparations (not elsewhere specified) | General industrial antioxidant blends, plastic stabilizers | "Not elsewhere specified" |
2106.90.98 |
Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included (if food-grade antioxidant mix) | Food ingredient blends, dietary supplements | Food grade only |
3004.90.99 |
Medicaments (excluding goods of heading 3002, 3005, 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products (if Pharmaceutical API) | Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) | Pharmaceutical use proof |
π Critical Reminder:
- Vague Descriptions are Fatal: Never declare simply as "Antioxidant." You must provide the Chemical Name, CAS Number, Purity (%), and Primary Use.
- Industrial vs. Food: If the product is food-grade but declared as industrial, it risks detention. If industrial but declared as food, it risks rejection due to lack of FDA/EFSA approval.
- Mixtures: If the "antioxidant" is blended with a carrier oil or solvent, it is likely a Chapter 38 preparation, not a pure chemical under Chapter 29.
π° III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Detail (Including Surcharges & Policy Add-ons)
β Applicable Country: United States (US)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Effective Date: From November 10, 2025 (including subsequent imports)
π― 1. 3824.99.99.00 ββ Prepared Chemicals / Industrial Antioxidant Blends
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 5.3% (ad valorem) |
| USITC Surcharge | +25% (under USITC Footnote 9903.88.01, Section 301) |
| IEEPA Surcharge | +10% (Targeting China/HK products, effective Nov 10, 2025) |
| Total Rate | ~40.3% (Calculated on CIF Value) |
| De Minimis Eligibility | β Not Eligible (deny_de_minimis) |
| Legal Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 β USITC:3824.99.99.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Explanation:
- Most industrial antioxidant mixtures and preparations fall under Chapter 38.
- The 35% total surcharge (25% Section 301 + 10% IEEPA) makes importing chemical preparations from China to the US extremely costly.
- Note: Some specific pure chemicals under Chapter 29 may have different rates (often 5.7% base + 25% + 10%), but Chapter 38 is the most common trap for "compounds" that are not single entities.
π― 2. 2932.20.00 / 2915.39.00 ββ Specific Organic Chemicals (Pure Antioxidants)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Rate | 5.7% (varies slightly by sub-heading) |
| USITC Surcharge | +25% |
| IEEPA Surcharge | +10% |
| Total Rate | ~40.7% |
| De Minimis Eligibility | β Not Eligible |
| Legal Path | IEEPA:9903.01.25 β USITC:2932.20.00 β FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 |
π Note:
- Even if it is a pure chemical, it is still subject to the 35% surcharge if originated in China.
- There is no de minimis exemption for these chemical products from China under current 2026 rules.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Battle-Tested Pitfall Guide)
β 1. Mandatory Documentation Checklist
| Document | Required | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| β Certificate of Analysis (COA) | βοΈ Essential | Must list exact chemical names, CAS numbers, and purity. |
| β CAS Number | βοΈ Essential | Without CAS, Customs cannot classify. "Antioxidant" is insufficient. |
| β Safety Data Sheet (SDS) | βοΈ Essential | Must comply with GHS standards. Check Section 3 for composition. |
| β Letter of Guarantee | βοΈ Conditional | If claiming "Non-Domestic Use" or specific industrial exemption. |
| β Form FDA Prior Notice | βοΈ If Food/Pharma | Required for food-grade antioxidants entering the US. |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ Essential | Must state: "Chemical Name (CAS#), Purity %, Not for Food Use" (if industrial). |
| β Packing List | βοΈ Essential | Net/Gross weight, container number. |
β 2. Declaration Tactics (Key Mantra)
π₯ "CAS is King, Purpose is Queen. Mix is Chapter 38, Pure is Chapter 29. Vague Name = Audit Trap!"
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Wrong Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Antioxidant Blend | 3824.99.99.00 "Prepared antioxidant stabilization compound, CAS XXX-XXX-X" |
"Antioxidant" β High Risk |
| Pure BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) | 2932.20.00 "BHT, CAS 128-37-0, 99% Purity" |
"Food Preservative" without FDA proof |
| Antioxidant added to Lubricant Oil | 3820.00.00 "Preparation for preventing rust of metals" |
Declaring as "Oil" (Chapter 27) β Misclassification |
| Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) for Food | 2106.90.98 or 2906.19.00 depending on form |
"Health Supplement" without FDA Prior Notice |
β 3. Special Case Handling
| Scenario | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| Dual-Use Chemicals | Some antioxidants (e.g., specific phenols) may be dual-use. Check if they are on the Commerce Departmentβs Entity List or require a BIS License. |
| FDA Registration | If used in food or cosmetics, the facility must be FDA-registered. Lack of registration leads to detention. |
| SDS Mismatch | If the SDS says "Contains BHT" but the invoice says "Antioxidant Mixture," Customs will suspect smuggling or misdeclaration. Ensure consistency. |
| Origin Routing | If the base chemical is from China but the final mixture is made in Vietnam, ensure substantial transformation occurs to avoid Section 301 tariffs. |
π V. Global Market Comparison for Antioxidants (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff Rate (CN Origin) | Certification Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 3824.99.99.00 / 2932.20.00 |
~40.3% (Base + Surcharges) | FDA Prior Notice (if food), SDS/GHS | High Tariff Trap. No de minimis. |
| π¨π³ China | 2932.20.00 / 3824.99.99.00 |
5.7% / 5.3% (Import Tariff) | CCC (if applicable), GB Standards | Lower import tax, but strict environmental checks. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 3824.99.99.00 / 2932.20.00 |
0% - 6.5% | REACH Registration is MANDATORY | REACH compliance is the biggest hurdle. |
| π―π΅ Japan | 3824.99.00 / 2932.20.00 |
0% - 4.8% | JIS Standards, Food Sanitation Act | Strict purity standards for food-grade. |
π Conclusion:
- USA: Tariff-heavy (~40%+). Cost efficiency is critical.
- EU: REACH registration costs can be higher than the tariff itself.
- Key Risk: Misclassification leads to 100% duty reassessment + penalties.
π VI. Common Errors & Pitfall Guide (Lessons in Blood & Tears)
β Error 1: Declaring "Antioxidant" without CAS Number
π Consequence: Customs issues a Hold. Broker must request info. Delays of 2-4 weeks. Risk of Forfeiture.
β Error 2: Mixing Food-Grade and Industrial-Grade in one shipment
π Consequence: FDA Detention. The entire shipment may be rejected if food-grade items lack FDA Prior Notice.
β Error 3: Using "Preparation" for a Pure Chemical
π Consequence: Under-Declared Tariff. Pure chemicals (Ch 29) might have different duty rates than preparations (Ch 38). Customs will audit and back-tariff.
β Error 4: Ignoring REACH (EU) or TSCA (USA) Compliance
π Consequence: Seizure at border. Even if duties are low, non-compliance with chemical regulations blocks entry.
β Correct Practice:
"BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene), CAS 128-37-0, 99.5% Purity, Industrial Grade, For Use in Rubber Stabilization. SDS Provided. REACH Registered (if EU)."
π― VII. Conclusion: Precision in Chemicals Saves Millions!
π― Remember the Mantra:
πΉ "CAS is King, Purpose is Queen. Mix is Chapter 38, Pure is Chapter 29."
πΉ "No CAS = No Entry. Vague Name = High Audit Risk."
πΉ "Food Grade Needs FDA. Industrial Needs SDS."
π Pro Tip:
If your antioxidant compound is high-value or shipped in large volumes, apply for an Advance Ruling from CBP (US Customs) or the relevant authority. This locks in the HS Code and prevents retrospective audits.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Contact Your Customs Broker with the CAS Number and COA.
π Ensure SDS is GHS-Compliant and matches the invoice description.
πΌ Your Chemical Shipment, Your Compliance Responsibility!
β¨ Professional Clearance Starts with Precise Chemical Classification!
πΌ Every Percentage Point of Tariff Matters!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.