Phosphides — HTS 2853
Phosphides, whether or not chemically defined, excluding ferrophosphorous; other inorganic compounds (including distilled or conductivity water and water of similar purity); liquid air (whether or not rare gases have been removed); compressed air; amalgams, other than amalgams of precious metals
Chapter 28 › Heading 2853
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 2853 is a broad product category for certain inorganic chemical products and related substances. It includes phosphides, except ferrophosphorus; other inorganic compounds, including distilled or conductivity water and water of similar purity; liquid air; compressed air; and amalgams other than those made with precious metals. The heading groups products by their chemical nature rather than by their commercial brand or intended use.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, start with the product’s composition and physical form, then review the more specific subheadings under heading 2853. The description may distinguish among types of compounds, kinds of water, air products, or amalgams. Confirm that the product is not excluded—such as ferrophosphorus or an amalgam of a precious metal—and read the relevant section and chapter notes, legal text, and statistical descriptions. When the chemistry or classification is uncertain, a customs broker or formal classification ruling may be needed.
What to check
- Obtain the full technical description, including chemical name, formula, ingredients, purity, and physical state.
- Determine whether the item is a phosphide, a qualifying inorganic compound, distilled or conductivity water, liquid or compressed air, or a non-precious-metal amalgam.
- Check the heading’s exclusions and compare the product with the exact subheading and 8-digit statistical wording, not just the heading title.
- Review HTSUS section and chapter notes, explanatory guidance, and relevant customs rulings for classification distinctions.
- Keep laboratory specifications, safety data sheets, invoices, and supplier statements that support the selected classification.
HTS heading 2853 summary
Phosphides is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 2853.90 | Other |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2853.10.00.00 👉 | Cyanogen chloride (chloorcyan) | 2.8% | Free | 25% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 2853?
Phosphides, whether or not chemically defined, excluding ferrophosphorous; other inorganic compounds (including distilled or conductivity water and water of similar purity); liquid air (whether or not rare gases have been removed); compressed air; amalgams, other than amalgams of precious metals. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.