Prepared binders for foundry molds or cores — HTS 3824
Prepared binders for foundry molds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included
Chapter 38 › Heading 3824
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 3824 is a broad category for certain chemical products and preparations that are not more specifically described elsewhere in the tariff. It includes prepared binders used for foundry molds or cores, as well as various mixtures and preparations of the chemical or allied industries, including some made from natural products. The heading is a starting category—not usually the complete classification for an imported product.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first confirm that no more specific heading applies. Then use the product’s composition, function, and form, along with the applicable subheading descriptions and tariff notes, to narrow the classification. Within heading 3824, subheadings commonly distinguish products by material, chemical composition, intended use, or other defined type. The product’s technical documentation and actual formulation matter more than a marketing name.
What to check
- Check the complete ingredient or formulation information, including the role and proportion of each component, and identify the product’s primary function.
- Confirm whether another HTS heading specifically describes the product before using the residual category in heading 3824.
- Review the 6-digit and 8-digit subheading text, legal notes, and any unit-of-measure requirements in the current HTSUS.
- For foundry products, verify that the item is a prepared binder for molds or cores and distinguish it from the mold or core itself, a coating, or another foundry preparation.
- Compare the proposed classification with binding rulings, Customs guidance, and your customs broker when the formulation or intended use could fit more than one subheading.
HTS heading 3824 summary
Prepared binders for foundry molds or cores is a 4-digit product category containing 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 3824.40 | Prepared additives for cements, mortars or concretes |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3824.10.00.00 👉 | Prepared binders for foundry molds or cores | 6% | Free | 25% |
| 3824.30.00.00 👉 | Nonagglomerated metal carbides mixed together or with metallic binders | 3.6% | Free | 25% |
| 3824.50.00 👉 | Nonrefractory mortars and concretes | Free | — | 20% |
| 3824.60.00.00 👉 | Sorbitol other than that of subheading 2905.44 | 4.9% | Free | 50% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 3824?
Prepared binders for foundry molds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included. 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.