Section VI · Products of the chemical or allied industries
Chapter 36: Explosives; pyrotechnic products; matches; pyrophoric alloys; certain combustible preparations
Chapter 36 of the Harmonized System has 6 four-digit headings, from 36.01 to 36.06. Each heading is split further into six-digit subheadings, then into national 8- and 10-digit commodity codes.
Headings in chapter 36
| Heading | Description |
|---|---|
| 36.01 | Propellent powders |
| 36.02 | Prepared explosives, other than propellent powders |
| 36.03 | Safety fuses; detonating cords; percussion or detonating caps; igniters; electric detonators |
| 36.04 | Fireworks, signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles |
| 36.05 | Matches, other than pyrotechnic articles of heading 3604 |
| 36.06 | Ferro-cerium and other pyrophoric alloys in all forms; articles of combustible materials as specified in note 2 to this chapter |
Classifying goods in chapter 36
Start with the chapter and section notes: they are legally binding and often decide what is included or excluded. Then choose the heading whose wording best describes your product (GRI 1), and work down to the six-digit subheading before choosing the national commodity code.
The six-digit code is shared internationally. The UK and EU add digits for their own tariffs and statistics, and the US uses its own 10-digit HTS lines, so always confirm the final code in the tariff of the country you are importing into.
Official sources
Check chapter 36 in the UK Trade Tariff, the EU TARIC and the US HTS.