2843.90 Inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, n.e.c.; amalgams
A full HS code. These six digits are what goes on a customs declaration, and they mean the same thing in every country that uses the Harmonized System.
Section VI, Chemical Products — inorganic and organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, paints and cosmetics.
- 28 Chapter Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes
- 43 Heading Colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals
- 90 Subheading Inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, n.e.c.; amalgams
Chapter 28 covers inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals, rare earth metals, radioactive elements and isotopes: acids, oxides, salts and elemental chemicals used as industrial feedstocks. It sits alongside chapter 29 (organic chemicals) as one of the two large chemical-industry chapters. Classification tip: Many chapter 28 compounds are also dual-use precursor chemicals monitored under international non-proliferation and narcotics-precursor regimes, so check for export-control flags before shipping, not just the customs tariff.
All of chapter 28Other codes under 28.43
The wording above is the Harmonized System nomenclature as published by the World Customs Organization, HS 2022 edition. It is a classification reference, not a tariff: it carries no duty rates, and it stops at six digits — the importing country adds its own beyond that.
Classification is decided by the General Rules of Interpretation and the section and chapter notes, and it is the importing country’s customs authority that makes it binding.
Shipping goods under 2843.90? A customs hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving — follow the container or the air waybill from departure to delivery.
Track a shipment2843.90 FAQ
2843.90 covers inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, n.e.c.; amalgams. It sits under heading 28.43 (colloidal precious metals; inorganic or organic compounds of precious metals, whether or not chemically defined; amalgams of precious metals) in chapter 28, Section VI of the Harmonized System.
It is the international part of it. Six digits are the same in every country that applies the Harmonized System; the importing country then extends them to eight or ten for its own tariff and statistics. Declare 2843.90 plus whatever national digits the destination’s tariff schedule adds to it.
The General Rules of Interpretation, read together with the notes to Section VI and to chapter 28. A description that reads right is not enough on its own — the notes routinely pull goods out of the chapter they obviously belong to and put them somewhere else. Where duty or licensing turns on the answer, ask the importing country’s customs authority for a binding ruling.
A wrong or missing code is one of the common reasons customs holds a container, and a hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving. Watch for it in the container tracking app, on the air waybill in the air cargo tracker, or through the tracking API.