HS 382530 Clinical waste
Quick Answer: Clinical waste imported under HS 382530 enters the UK duty-free, the US duty-free, and the EU at 6.50% ad valorem. This Harmonized System (HS) code specifically covers waste materials that are contaminated with biological agents or other pathogens, originating from medical, pharmaceutical, or veterinary research and practice. This includes items such as used bandages, swabs, and disposable medical equipment. Importers and customs brokers should be aware that while the duty rates vary, the classification of such waste is subject to stringent regulations regarding its handling, transport, and disposal in all jurisdictions to prevent the spread of infection. According to CustomTariffs data, careful documentation is crucial for compliance.
What Are the Import Duty Rates?
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3825300000 | 0.00 % | — | — |
🇪🇺 European Union (TARIC)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3825300000 | 6.50 % | — | — |
🇺🇸 United States (HTSUS)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3825300000 | Free | — | ["kg"] |
Duty rates sourced from the USITC (US International Trade Commission) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) (accessed 2/22/2026), EU TARIC – DG TAXUD (Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union) (accessed 2/22/2026), and UK Trade Tariff – HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) (accessed 2/22/2026).
Data compiled and presented by HSRates.
How Has Trade Volume Developed?
Trade Volume 2023
How to Classify This HS Code?
What products does HS 382530 cover?
This subheading covers clinical waste, which includes waste materials generated from medical, surgical, dental, or veterinary activities, as well as from laboratories and research institutions. According to the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System Explanatory Notes, this category encompasses items such as contaminated dressings, bandages, disposable medical equipment, and pathological waste. The US International Trade Commission (USITC) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the EU's TARIC database confirm this scope, generally defining it as waste that is infectious or potentially infectious due to its origin from healthcare settings.
What falls outside HS 382530?
The following products are excluded from HS 382530: general household waste, industrial waste, and waste from agricultural activities, even if they may have some resemblance to clinical waste. For instance, uncontaminated packaging materials from medical supplies would typically be classified elsewhere, often under Chapter 39 for plastics or Chapter 48 for paper. Sharps containers that have been fully decontaminated and are intended for recycling might also fall under different headings, depending on their material composition and the specific treatment they have undergone.
What are common classification mistakes for HS 382530?
A common error is misclassifying general laboratory waste or chemical waste that is not specifically infectious or pathological as clinical waste. General Note 3(f) of the Harmonized System, concerning the classification of goods in a heading, and Section VI of the HTS, which deals with products of the chemical or allied industries, are crucial here. Importers may also incorrectly classify waste that has been treated and rendered non-hazardous, which could potentially be classified under other headings depending on the nature of the treated material, such as recycled plastics or metals.
How should importers classify products under HS 382530?
The correct procedure for classifying waste under HS 382530 involves a thorough assessment of the waste's origin and its potential to cause infection or harm. Importers and customs brokers must consult the official definitions provided by the WCO, the USITC HTS, or the EU TARIC. This includes understanding whether the waste is derived from medical, dental, or veterinary practices and if it exhibits infectious characteristics, which is often detailed in national regulations and guidelines for hazardous waste management, typically requiring specific documentation.
How is the duty calculated for products under HS 382530?
A shipment of 1,000 kilograms of treated, non-infectious medical waste, declared at a customs value of $500 USD, would attract a US duty of $0.00. This is because HS 382530, when referring to clinical waste, often has a Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate of Free (0%) in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule, reflecting its nature as waste material. Therefore, the calculation is 0% × $500 USD = $0.00 USD duty, assuming no other specific duties or fees apply.
Which trade agreements reduce duties for HS 382530?
Several free trade agreements may reduce the applicable duty rate for HS 382530, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Under USMCA, originating clinical waste from Canada or Mexico would be Free. To claim this preferential rate, a valid USMCA certification of origin is required. Additionally, for shipments originating from countries benefiting from the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) into the EU, a EUR.1 movement certificate or a self-certified origin declaration may be necessary to achieve a Free duty rate.
```Which HS Codes Are Related?
Not the right code? Search all HS codes to find the correct tariff classification.
FAQ
What are the typical import duty rates for HS code 382530 (Clinical waste)?
Import duty rates for HS code 382530, 'Clinical waste, infectious', can vary significantly by country. For example, under the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), the Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate is Free. However, preferential rates under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) may also apply. It is crucial to consult the specific tariff schedule of the importing country for the most accurate and up-to-date duty information. For instance, the EU's TARIC system or the UK's Trade Tariff will provide specific rates applicable within those jurisdictions.
What specific criteria define 'clinical waste, infectious' under HS code 382530?
HS code 382530 is reserved for 'Clinical waste, infectious'. According to the World Customs Organization (WCO) Explanatory Notes and national tariff interpretations, this typically includes waste materials generated from medical, nursing, dental, veterinary, or similar practices, which are known or suspected to contain pathogens (like bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi) in sufficient concentration or quantity to cause disease in humans or animals. This can encompass discarded diagnostic samples, contaminated materials from surgery or autopsies, and waste from isolation wards. Misclassification can occur if waste is not genuinely infectious or if it falls under other specific waste categories (e.g., chemical waste).
What documentation is typically required for importing clinical waste under HS code 382530?
Importing clinical waste (HS 382530) often requires extensive documentation due to its hazardous nature and potential public health implications. Importers and customs brokers should be prepared to provide: a detailed commercial invoice, a packing list, a bill of lading or air waybill, and a certificate of origin. Crucially, specific permits or licenses from relevant national environmental, health, or veterinary authorities are usually mandatory. This may include import permits, waste manifests, and declarations confirming the waste's treatment and disposal plans in compliance with both exporting and importing country regulations. Consult the importing country's customs agency and relevant ministries for precise requirements.
How is the import duty for HS 382530 calculated, and can you provide an example?
The calculation of import duty for HS code 382530 depends on the specific duty rate applied by the importing country. If the duty is an ad valorem rate (a percentage of the value), the calculation is straightforward. For example, if a country applies a 5% ad valorem duty on clinical waste and the declared customs value of a shipment is $10,000 USD, the duty would be calculated as: $10,000 USD (Customs Value) × 0.05 (Duty Rate) = $500 USD (Import Duty). If a specific duty rate (e.g., per kilogram or per unit) is applied, the calculation would be based on the quantity. Always verify the applicable duty basis (ad valorem, specific, or a combination) in the importing country's tariff schedule.
Do common trade agreements, like USMCA or EU FTAs, offer preferential duty rates for HS code 382530?
Preferential duty rates under trade agreements for HS code 382530 (Clinical waste, infectious) are possible but depend heavily on the specific agreement and the importing country's tariff treatment. For instance, while the US MFN rate is Free, the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) might offer similar duty-free treatment for qualifying goods originating in Canada or Mexico. Similarly, Free Trade Agreements the EU has with various partner countries could provide reduced or duty-free access. Importers must ensure the clinical waste meets the rules of origin stipulated in the relevant trade agreement and obtain the necessary proof of origin documentation to claim preferential treatment. Consulting the official text of the trade agreement and the importing country's customs authority is essential.