Brake Fluid Additive
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3824999397 | 40.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3403990000 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3403195000 | 40.8% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3819000010 | 41.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3819000090 | 16.5% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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π’οΈ Brake Fluid Additive: The Complete HS Code & Customs Clearance Guide (2026)
π HS Code Reference & Clearance Guide | 2026 Tariff Breakdown | Professional Customs Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: What Exactly is a "Brake Fluid Additive"?
A Brake Fluid Additive is a chemical preparation designed to modify, enhance, or stabilize the properties of hydraulic brake fluids (e.g., improving boiling point, preventing corrosion, or reducing viscosity).
In international trade, these products are strictly categorized based on their chemical composition, specifically the percentage of petroleum oils or bituminous minerals they contain. This distinction is the "Golden Key" to determining the correct HS Code and avoiding massive tariff errors.
β οΈ Critical Classification Logic: * Scenario A: The additive is based on hydraulic transmission fluids (containing <70% petroleum oil) β It falls under 3819.00. * Scenario B: The additive is a general lubricating preparation (based on lubricants but not primarily hydraulic transmission fluids) β It falls under 3403. * Scenario C: The additive is a specialized chemical binder or miscellaneous chemical preparation β It falls under 3824.
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Matrix (2026 Tariff Authority)
| HS Code | Product Description | Key Composition Criteria | Applicable Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3819.00.00.10 | Hydraulic Brake Fluids & Other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission. | Contains less than 70% petroleum/bituminous oils. Specifically labeled "Hydraulic brake fluids". | 31.5% (Base 6.5% + Add-on 25%) |
| 3819.00.00.90 | Other prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission. | Contains less than 70% petroleum/bituminous oils. General hydraulic fluids, not specifically brake fluids. | 31.5% (Base 6.5% + Add-on 25%) |
| 3403.99.00.00 | Lubricating Preparations (General). | Based on lubricants. Does NOT contain β₯70% petroleum oils. Includes antirust, mold release, etc. | 31.5% (Base 6.5% + Add-on 25%) |
| 3403.19.50.00 | Lubricating Preparations (Petroleum-based). | Based on lubricants. Contains β₯70% petroleum oils/bituminous minerals. | 0.0% (Base 0.0% + Add-on 0.0%) |
| 3824.99.93.97 | Prepared Binders / Other Chemical Preparations. | "Other" chemical products not elsewhere specified (e.g., specialized binders for molds, unclassified chemical mixes). | 30.0% (Base 5.0% + Add-on 25%) |
π Deep Dive Analysis: * The 70% Rule is Everything: If your additive is primarily petroleum-based (β₯70%), it miraculously lands on 0% tax (
3403.19.50.00). If it is <70% petroleum but still a hydraulic fluid (3819), the tax skyrockets to 31.5%. * The "Other" Trap: If the product is a chemical mixture for general purposes but doesn't fit neatly into "hydraulic fluid" or "lubricant," customs may push it to3824.99.93.97(30% tax).
π° III. 2026 Tariff Rate Breakdown (Detailed & Actionable)
β Target Market: International (Standard Trade Routes)
β Origin: China (CN)
β Policy: Base Tariff + "Additional/Retaliatory" Tariffs (as per Data)
π― 1. Category: Hydraulic Brake Fluids (<70% Petroleum)
HS Code: 3819.00.00.10 / 3819.00.00.90
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 6.5% |
| Additional Tax | 25.0% (Often applied as a specific punitive tariff on chemical imports) |
| Total Tax | 31.5% |
| Impact | Very High. If your additive is marketed as a brake fluid enhancer and is synthetic/glycol-based (<70% oil), you pay nearly one-third of the product value in taxes. |
| Legal Note | This applies to "prepared liquids for hydraulic transmission." |
π― 2. Category: General Lubricating Preparations (Low Oil Content)
HS Code: 3403.99.00.00
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 6.5% |
| Additional Tax | 25.0% |
| Total Tax | 31.5% |
| Impact | Very High. If your additive is a chemical blend that acts as a lubricant but contains <70% petroleum, it falls here. |
π― 3. Category: Petroleum-Based Lubricating Preparations
HS Code: 3403.19.50.00
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 0.0% |
| Additional Tax | 0.0% |
| Total Tax | 0.0% |
| Impact | Zero Tax! This is the "Goldilocks" zone. If your brake fluid additive is oil-heavy (β₯70% petroleum), you pay nothing. |
| Strategy | Formulation Optimization: If possible, adjust the chemical formula to ensure petroleum oil content is β₯70% to qualify for this exemption. |
π― 4. Category: Miscellaneous Chemical Preparations
HS Code: 3824.99.93.97
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 5.0% |
| Additional Tax | 25.0% |
| Total Tax | 30.0% |
| Impact | High. If the product is a "prepared binder" or "chemical product not elsewhere specified," this applies. |
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance & Operational Advice (Real-World Tactics)
β 1. Documentation Checklist (The "Must-Haves")
| Document | Why It Matters | Critical Detail to Include |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Data Sheet (TDS) | The Decider. Customs uses this to check the % of petroleum oil. | Must explicitly state: "Petroleum Oil Content: X%". |
| Formula Composition | Proves the chemical nature (Hydraulic vs. Lubricant vs. Other). | List all ingredients and their weight percentages. |
| Product Label | Confirms the intended use. | Label must NOT say "Brake Fluid" if you want to avoid 3819 (try "Lubricant Additive" instead). |
| Safety Data Sheet (SDS) | Verifies safety and chemical classification. | Ensure Section 1 matches the HS Code description. |
| Certificate of Origin | Determines if the "Additional Tax" applies. | Essential for China-origin goods to confirm base rates. |
β 2. Classification Strategy: How to Avoid the 31.5% Trap
π₯ The "Seventy Percent" Hack: * Scenario: You are selling a brake fluid additive. * Problem: It is synthetic (low oil), so it hits
3819(31.5% tax). * Solution: Reformulate the product to contain β₯70% petroleum oil. * Result: It reclassifies to3403.19.50.00(0% tax). * Warning: Do not lie about the composition. Customs labs will test the chemical makeup. If the TDS says "65% oil" but the product is tested at "75%", you face fraud charges.
β 3. Declaration Tips (Naming Matters)
| Bad Declaration | Good Declaration | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| "Brake Fluid" | "Petroleum-based Lubricant Additive" | Avoids 3819 (Hydraulic) classification. |
| "Hydraulic Fluid" | "Lubricating Preparation (General)" | Moves to 3403 (Lubricant) category. |
| "Chemical Mix" | "Prepared Lubricant, Oil Content >70%" | Explicitly claims the 0% tax status (3403.19.50.00). |
π V. Global Market Comparison & Risk Assessment
| Market | Primary HS Code | Tax Rate | Risk Level | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA (US) | 3819.00.00 / 3403.19.50 |
31.5% (Low Oil) vs. 0% (High Oil) | β οΈ High | Strict enforcement of oil content thresholds. |
| China (CN) | 3819 / 3403 |
Base rate only (No Add-on) | β Low | Base tax is usually lower (e.g., 6.5% vs 31.5% in US data). |
| EU | 3819 / 3403 |
Varies (usually low) | β Low | Generally no "Additional Tax" like the US. |
π Key Insight: The data provided indicates a massive tax disparity (31.5% vs 0%) based solely on the petroleum content. In the US market, this is a critical cost driver.
π VI. Common Pitfalls & Avoidance Guide
β Pitfall 1: Vague Description
Error: Declaring "Brake Fluid Additive" without specifying oil content.
Consequence: Customs assumes <70% oil β Assigns 3819.00.00.10 β 31.5% Tax.
Fix*: Always declare oil content in the TDS.
β Pitfall 2: Misclassifying "Hydraulic" as "Lubricant"
Error: Calling a hydraulic fluid a "general lubricant" to avoid 3819.
Consequence: If the primary use is hydraulic transmission, customs will reject 3403 and impose penalties.
Fix: Be honest. If it's for hydraulic systems, it belongs in 3819. Optimize the oil content* instead.
β Pitfall 3: Ignoring the 70% Threshold
Error: Not testing the product for oil percentage.
Consequence: Risk of being classified under 3824.99.93.97 (30% tax) if it doesn't fit other categories.
Fix*: Conduct lab tests to verify exact oil composition.
π― VII. Conclusion & Action Plan
π― The Bottom Line:
For Brake Fluid Additives, the difference between paying 31.5% and 0% is a simple chemical adjustment: Petroleum Oil Content.
- <70% Petroleum: Tax = 31.5% (
3819or3403.99) - β₯70% Petroleum: Tax = 0.0% (
3403.19.50)
π Action Plan: 1. Lab Test: Verify current oil percentage. 2. Reformulate: If <70%, adjust formula to >70% (if product performance allows). 3. Label Correctly: Ensure TDS and Commercial Invoice clearly state oil content and HS Code. 4. Consult Customs: If reformulation is impossible, prepare for the 31.5% tax cost in your pricing model.
π£ Final Warning:
"The HS Code for chemical preparations is not a suggestion; it is a chemical fact. Do not guess. Test your product. The 25% 'Additional Tax' is a silent killer of profit margins for brake fluid additives."
β¨ Smart Trade Starts with the Right Formula!
πΌ Don't let a missing % of oil cost you 31.5% of your revenue!
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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.