Product group · Chemicals
Chemicals HS Code Lookup & Import Procedure
Chemicals and chemical products span Chapters 28 to 38 of the tariff schedule. This is a specially-managed group — sensitive both in HS classification and in the obligation to file a chemical import declaration under Vietnam’s new 2026 legal framework. Enter your product description in the tool below to find the exact HS code, see duty rates and FTA preferences, then check the procedure guidance below.
Chapters 28 – 38Look up the HS code for this product group
Tra cứu mã HS & thuế suất XNK Việt Nam
10,800+ mã HS · Thuế NK / VAT / ưu đãi 16 FTA · Chính sách quản lý chuyên ngành — AI hiểu mô tả tiếng Việt.
Nhập tên hàng hóa bằng tiếng Việt (vd. "điện thoại"), mã HS (vd. "8517"), hoặc dán ảnh Invoice / Catalogue để AI trích xuất.
Overview
Chemicals fall under Section VI of the tariff (Chapter 28 – inorganic chemicals; Chapter 29 – organic chemicals) plus the chemical-preparation chapters: dyes and pigments (32), essential oils and perfumery (33), surfactants and detergents (34), primary-form plastics (39), pesticides and other chemical products (38). Getting the HS code right determines not only import duty, VAT and environmental-protection tax, but also whether the shipment requires a chemical import declaration or a specialised-management licence. Important: from 17 January 2026 the entire chemicals legal framework was replaced — the 2025 Chemicals Law (Law No. 69/2025/QH15) together with Decree 24/2026/NĐ-CP (chemical lists), Decree 25/2026/NĐ-CP (chemical-industry development and chemical safety/security), Decree 26/2026/NĐ-CP (management of chemical activities) and Circular 01/2026/TT-BCT replaced the old Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP. The biggest change for importers: the chemical import declaration obligation is now determined by whether the goods fall under Chapter 28 and Chapter 29 (Article 6, Decree 26/2026), instead of the appendix-list approach of the old decree.
Common HS codes
| HS code | Description |
|---|---|
| 2710 | Petroleum oils & preparations with ≥ 70% petroleum oil (classification boundary with 3403) |
| 2807 | Sulfuric acid; oleum |
| 2815 | Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), potassium hydroxide; peroxides |
| 2836 | Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (incl. lithium carbonate, soda…) |
| 2901 | Acyclic hydrocarbons (ethylene, propylene…) |
| 2915 | Saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids & derivatives (acetic acid, esters…) |
| 3204 | Synthetic organic colouring matter (dyes, pigments) |
| 3402 | Surfactants & washing/cleaning preparations |
| 3403 | Lubricating preparations (grease/oil with < 70% petroleum oil) |
| 3824 | Chemical products & preparations not elsewhere specified |
Duty rates & FTA preferences
MFN preferential import duty on chemicals varies widely by line: many basic chemical feedstocks are 0–5%, while finished preparations (paints, detergents, lubricating preparations…) can be 5–20%; VAT is commonly 8–10% under current policy. Certain petroleum-based products (e.g. lubricating oils in heading 2710) also carry environmental-protection tax by litre/kg — which is why the 2710 ↔ 3403 classification boundary directly affects cost. Chemicals from FTA partner countries may receive special preferential duty if origin rules are met and a valid C/O is provided. Use the tool above to look up the specific HS code and the applicable taxes.
Applicable FTAs
Import procedure
- 1
Read the SDS & establish what the goods are
The Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) is the source document for classification: Section 3 (composition & %), Section 9 (physical state), Section 14 (UN transport classification). For grease, the % of petroleum base oil in Section 3 decides whether it is heading 2710 or 3403.
- 2
Determine & assign the HS code
Classify by chemical nature and content. The HS code drives both duty and whether the goods fall under Chapters 28/29 (the declaration scope).
- 3
File the chemical import declaration (if in scope)
If the goods fall under Chapter 28 or 29, you must file a chemical import declaration through the National Single Window before clearance (Article 6, Decree 26/2026/NĐ-CP). The system returns an automated result to attach to the customs declaration.
- 4
Prepare a Vietnamese SDS & labels
Hazardous chemicals (with GHS classification) placed on the Vietnamese market must have a Vietnamese SDS and a full GHS label / Vietnamese sub-label before distribution.
- 5
File the declaration, pay duties & clear
Submit the declaration with the contract, invoice, packing list, B/L, SDS, chemical-declaration result (if any) and C/O (if claiming FTA preference); pay import duty, VAT and environmental-protection tax (if any), then clear.
Specialised management & licences
Chemical import declaration (Chapters 28 & 29)
Under Article 6 of Decree 26/2026/NĐ-CP, importers of chemicals under Chapter 28 and Chapter 29 must declare via the National Single Window before clearance. Article 6(7) lists exemptions — notably, a mixture not classified in Chapters 28/29 but containing components from Chapters 28/29 (point đ) is exempt from declaration.
Conditional / specially-controlled chemicals
Decree 24/2026/NĐ-CP issues four new list appendices (replacing Appendices I–V of Decree 113/2017): Appendix II – chemicals subject to conditional production/trading; Appendix III – specially-controlled chemicals; Appendix IV – chemicals requiring an incident-prevention/response plan. Check your product’s CAS numbers against these to know whether a licence/certificate is required.
Vietnamese Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Under the 2025 Chemicals Law, hazardous chemicals placed on the market must have a Vietnamese-language SDS in the 16-section structure. It is both a classification source and a condition for distribution.
Chemical labelling (GHS + sub-label)
Hazardous chemicals must be labelled per the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) and carry a Vietnamese sub-label under goods-labelling rules.
Common classification mistakes
Grease/lubricant: 2710 or 3403? (the 70% petroleum threshold)
Heading 2710 covers petroleum oils and preparations with ≥ 70% petroleum oil by weight; below 70% it goes to heading 3403 (lubricating preparations). Real case — JET-SUPER HVI EP GREASE: SDS Section 3 shows Base Oil at just 56.35% (≈58–59% even adding the minor distillates, under 70%) → the correct code is 3403, not the 2710.19.52 the supplier wrote on the invoice. Difference: heading 2710 carries environmental-protection tax (≈ VND 300/kg) while 3403 does not, and mis-declaring carries penalty risk.
A mixture containing a Chapter 28/29 chemical may not need declaration
JET-SUPER grease contains lithium hydroxide monohydrate (CAS 1310-66-3) — a Chapter 28 substance. But the product itself is classified in Chapter 34 (3403), so it falls under the exemption in Article 6(7)(đ) of Decree 26/2026: a mixture outside Chapters 28/29, even if it contains a Chapter 28/29 component, is exempt from declaration. Do not confuse "contains a chemical" with "must be declared".
Supplier HS code ≠ the correct code under the Vietnamese tariff
The HS code printed on the export invoice/CO is only indicative. The importer must determine the code under the Vietnamese tariff, using SDS Section 3 (composition, %) as evidence. If unsure, request an advance classification ruling from the customs sub-department, attaching the SDS and product catalogue.
Classifying by "form" while ignoring content / function
A "solution", "powder" or "preparation" is classified by its main component and function. Read SDS Section 1 (use), Section 3 (composition) and Section 9 (state) before assigning a code, to avoid confusing a single chemical (Ch 28/29) with a preparation/mixture (Ch 32–38).
Frequently asked questions
Is a chemical import declaration mandatory?
It depends on the HS code. Under Article 6 of Decree 26/2026/NĐ-CP, goods under Chapter 28 (inorganic) and Chapter 29 (organic) chemicals must be declared via the National Single Window before clearance. Goods in other chapters (e.g. lubricating preparations 3403, paints 3208, detergents 3402) are generally not in scope. Notably, a mixture outside Chapters 28/29 that contains a Chapter 28/29 component is exempt under Article 6(7)(đ).
Should a lubricating grease be HS 2710 or 3403?
Based on petroleum base-oil content: ≥ 70% by weight is heading 2710, below 70% is heading 3403 (lubricating preparations). Take the figure from SDS Section 3. For example, JET-SUPER HVI EP GREASE has Base Oil at 56.35% (< 70%), so 3403 is correct even though the supplier wrote 2710.19.52 on the documents. Using 3403 also avoids the environmental-protection tax that applies to lubricating oils under 2710.
Is a Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) mandatory?
Yes, for hazardous chemicals. Under the 2025 Chemicals Law, hazardous chemicals (GHS-classified, e.g. a product classified "Skin Irrit. 2 – H315") placed on the Vietnamese market must have a Vietnamese-language 16-section SDS. The SDS is also the source document for HS classification and for explaining to customs when needed.
Is Decree 113/2017 on chemicals still in force?
No. From 17 January 2026 the chemicals framework was replaced by the 2025 Chemicals Law (No. 69/2025/QH15) with Decree 24/2026 (chemical lists), 25/2026 (industry & chemical safety/security), 26/2026 (management of chemical activities) and Circular 01/2026/TT-BCT. Any advice based on Decree 113/2017 should be reviewed against the new rules — especially how the declaration scope is now defined (by Chapters 28/29).
A small chemical shipment that is not UN dangerous goods — what is the procedure?
If SDS Section 14 states "Not regulated" for all transport modes, the goods are not dangerous goods under IMDG/IATA/ADR — no dangerous-goods transport permit or carrier DG surcharge is needed. You must still file the chemical declaration (if under Chapters 28/29), prepare a Vietnamese SDS and compliant labels. Look up the specific HS code and check the Decree 24/2026 appendices to be sure no special licence applies.
Advisory
Need help with your shipment?
The Avenir team helps with HS classification, policy checks and import procedures for each shipment.