Inorganic chemicals; organic and… (chapter 28): which countries import it
Chapter 28 covers inorganic chemicals: mineral acids, bases, salts, oxides and fluorine compounds. The world imports over 100 billion USD yearly. The US,…
Published on 15 September 2026Updated on 27 September 2026
Chapter 28 covers inorganic chemicals: mineral acids, bases, salts, oxides and fluorine compounds. The world imports over 100 billion USD yearly. The US, China and India lead demand. Spain exported 3.7 billion USD in 2025. These products have specific tariffs by heading and may require safety or purity certificates depending on the destination and the substance.
Fact sheet
- Code
- 28
- Sector
- Health, Cosmetics and Chemicals
Main importing markets
USD · 2025| Country | Imports (USD) |
|---|---|
| United States | 19,382,691,747 |
| China | 19,151,724,018 |
| India | 15,216,862,124 |
| South Korea | 10,313,728,657 |
| Germany | 9,370,572,671 |
| France | 7,351,696,436 |
| Japan | 7,317,684,087 |
| Canada | 5,696,421,388 |
| United Kingdom | 5,283,945,995 |
| Netherlands | 5,020,979,828 |
| Spain | 3,747,622,227 |
| Indonesia | 3,699,873,850 |
| Malaysia | 3,604,294,362 |
| Brazil | 3,531,067,189 |
| Mexico | 3,372,087,762 |
Imports declared by each country from the world. Countries report with a delay: the period is the latest with consolidated data.
Source: UN ComtradeData for 2025Verified on 27 September 2026
Headings in this chapter
- Fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodineHeading 2801
- Sulphur; sublimed or precipitated, colloidal sulphurHeading 2802
- Carbon; carbon blacks and other forms of carbon n.e.c.Heading 2803
- Hydrogen, rare gases and other non-metalsHeading 2804
- Alkali or alkaline-earth metals; rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed; mercuryHeading 2805
- Hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid); chlorosulphuric acidHeading 2806
- Sulphuric acid; oleumHeading 2807
- Nitric acid; sulphonitric acidsHeading 2808
- Diphosphorus pentaoxide; phosphoric acid; polyphosphoric acids, whether or not chemically definedHeading 2809
- Oxides of boron; boric acidsHeading 2810
- Inorganic acids and other inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals; n.e.c. in heading no. 2806 to 2810Heading 2811
- Halides and halide oxides of non-metalsHeading 2812
- Sulphides of non-metals; commercial phosphorus trisulphideHeading 2813
- Ammonia; anhydrous or in aqueous solutionHeading 2814
- Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda); potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) peroxides of sodium or potassiumHeading 2815
- Hydroxide and peroxide of magnesium; oxides, hydroxides and peroxides of strontium or bariumHeading 2816
- Zinc; oxide and peroxideHeading 2817
- Aluminium oxide (including artificial corundum); aluminium hydroxideHeading 2818
- Chromium oxides and hydroxidesHeading 2819
- Manganese oxidesHeading 2820
- Iron oxides and hydroxides; earth colours containing 70% or more by weight of combined iron evaluated as Fe2o3Heading 2821
- Cobalt oxides and hydroxides; commercial cobalt oxidesHeading 2822
- Titanium oxidesHeading 2823
- Lead oxides; red lead and orange leadHeading 2824
- Hydrazine and hydroxylamine and their inorganic salts; other inorganic bases; other metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxidesHeading 2825
- Fluorides; fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine saltsHeading 2826
- Chlorides; chloride oxides and chloride hydroxides; bromides and bromide oxides; iodides and iodide oxidesHeading 2827
- Hypochlorites; commercial calcium hypochlorite; chlorites; hypobromitesHeading 2828
- Chlorates and perchlorates; bromates and perbromates; iodates and periodatesHeading 2829
- Sulphides; polysulphides whether or not chemically definedHeading 2830
- Dithionites and sulphoxylatesHeading 2831
- Sulphites; thiosulphatesHeading 2832
- Sulphates; alums; peroxosulphates (persulphates)Heading 2833
- Nitrites; nitratesHeading 2834
- Phosphinates (hypophosphites), phosphonates (phosphites), and phosphates; and polyphosphates, whether or not chemically definedHeading 2835
- Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamateHeading 2836
- Cyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanidesHeading 2837
- Fulminates, cyanates and thiocyanates.Heading 2838
- Silicates; commercial alkali metal silicatesHeading 2839
- Borates; peroxoborates (perborates)Heading 2840
Trade fairs in this sector
What you need to know before exporting
Chapter 28 inorganic chemicals are classified by 41 tariff headings, each with its own code and duty rate. The correct code determines the import tax in your destination market and the paperwork required. A sulphuric acid shipment (2807) faces a different tariff than an ammonia shipment (2814).
The European Union and most trade partners apply the Harmonized System (HS) with six or eight digits. Spain uses the TARIC code (10 digits) for domestic records. Check the tariff of your product in your destination country before you quote: duties vary from 0% to 20% depending on the substance and the agreement in force.
Many of these substances are dual-use: they have civilian and military applications. Fluorine compounds, some phosphates and rare-earth materials may require export licences in Spain or the EU. Check with your chamber of commerce or a customs broker if your product is on the dual-use list.
The main importing markets—US, China, India, South Korea and Germany—are also competitors. Exporters often win by serving niche demand: specialty grades, just-in-time delivery, technical support or compliance with local additives rules. Generic commodity chemicals face tight margins unless you have cost advantage or long-term contracts.
Questions from Spanish exporters
Do I need a certificate to export inorganic chemicals?
Yes, most destinations require a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) in the local language. Some substances—fluorine, chlorine, certain phosphates—also need certificates of purity or analysis. Hazardous goods require a dangerous goods declaration (Clase, ONU) and shipper certification. The exact requirement depends on the substance and the destination. Ask your importer what they need before you ship.
What tariff rate applies to my product in the US?
Tariffs in the US are set by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS), which mirrors the HS system. Most inorganic chemicals from Chapter 28 enter at 0% to 5% for most shipments from Spain, but check your exact product code. Tariffs can change with trade policy. Use the US International Trade Commission (USITC) tariff tool or ask a customs broker.
China imports a lot of inorganic chemicals. Can I sell there?
China is the second-largest importer after the US, but China also produces most inorganic chemicals domestically at lower cost. Spanish exporters succeed in China when they sell specialty grades—high purity, high consistency or certified for pharmaceutical use. You will need a Chinese distributor or importer to handle language, standards and payment. Tariffs are moderate, but local taxes and documentation can be complex.
Is there a trade agreement that reduces tariffs for Spain?
Spain is part of the EU, which has trade agreements with most markets. The EU-Mercosur agreement and bilateral agreements with South Korea, Japan and others reduce tariffs on many chemicals. For the US, tariffs are MFN (most-favored nation) rates, not preferential. Check Access2Markets (EC tool) or ask your chamber of commerce for the rate on your specific product and destination.
What certifications do I need to export to the EU market?
Within the EU, REACH (Regulation on chemicals) applies to all inorganic substances. You must ensure your product is registered or exempt, provide an SDS, and comply with labelling rules. If you export from Spain to another EU member, these rules are the same. If you export outside the EU, each country has its own rules: check with the importer.
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