Preparations and charges for fire extinguishers; charged fire-extinguishing grenades
2 declarable lines
Heading 3813 covers the chemical charges and preparations used inside fire extinguishers, plus charged fire-extinguishing grenades. The heading has two declarable lines: preparations consisting wholly of inorganic substances, and all other preparations. The rate depends only on whether the formulation contains any organic ingredient.
Products in this heading
- Dry chemical extinguishing powder made only of monoammonium phosphate and other inorganic salts
- Sodium bicarbonate based extinguishing powder
- Potassium bicarbonate based extinguishing powder for kitchen and liquid fuel fires
- Aqueous film forming foam concentrate
- Charged fire-extinguishing grenades
- Carbon dioxide extinguishing charges put up as preparations
- Premixed wet chemical extinguishing solution for commercial hood systems
How to choose the right subheading
- Check whether every ingredient in the charge is an inorganic substance; that decides between the free line and the dutiable line.
- If any organic compound, foam surfactant or organic binder is present, the charge is not wholly inorganic.
- Confirm the product is a preparation or charge for extinguishing, not a finished extinguishing appliance.
- For grenades, confirm the item is a charged fire-extinguishing grenade rather than explosive ordnance.
Often confused with
- Heading 8424Fire extinguisher canisters, valves and discharge hardware sold as equipment
Heading 3813 covers the charge, not the mechanical appliance that sprays it.
- Heading 8531Smoke, heat and flame detectors
Detectors are electrical signaling apparatus, not extinguishing preparations.
- Heading 9306Military grenades and pyrotechnic ordnance
Explosive munitions are classified in chapter 93, not with extinguishing grenades.
- Heading 3105Monoammonium phosphate sold as a fertilizer
Fertilizer use places the product in chapter 31 even if the same chemical is used in extinguishing powder.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for fire extinguishing preparations?
Charges consisting wholly of inorganic substances fall under 3813.00.10.00, with a general (MFN) rate of Free. All other fire extinguishing preparations fall under 3813.00.50.00, with a general (MFN) rate of 3.7%.
What is the duty on fire extinguisher chemical charge?
The general (MFN) rate is Free for 3813.00.10.00 when the charge is wholly inorganic. If the charge contains organic ingredients, it is classified in 3813.00.50.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 3.7%.
How do I classify a dry chemical extinguishing powder?
Look at the ingredient list: a powder made entirely of inorganic salts goes to 3813.00.10.00 at Free. A powder that includes organic additives or surfactants goes to 3813.00.50.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 3.7%.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.