HS Code 2908Phenols or phenol-alcohols; halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives

What product does HS code 2908 refer to?

Heading 2908 holds phenol derivatives. A phenol is a chemical with a hydroxyl group attached to a ring of carbon atoms. Once that molecule has been treated to carry extra atoms or groups, it moves into this heading. The extras can be halogens such as chlorine. They can also be sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated groups.

The heading sits in Chapter 29, organic chemicals, which belongs to Section VI, the chemical and allied industries. Some traders write it as HSN code 2908. Customs officers use the number to sort goods, apply national rules and record trade. This sorting is called customs classification.

You may also see these goods described as halogenated derivatives of phenols, sulphonated phenols, nitrated phenols or nitrosated phenols. They all belong here when the starting molecule is a phenol or a phenol-alcohol.

How to confirm the correct HS code for phenol derivatives

Ask two simple questions. What has been added to the phenol? And is the product a named substance, or something else?

If the only added atoms are halogens, you are in the halogen-only pair. Pentachlorophenol goes to 290811. Every other halogen-only phenol derivative, with its salts, goes to 290819.

If the product is sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated, you are in the second group. Dinoseb and its salts go to 290891. Anything else in that group goes to 290899.

The named substances are written with their ISO names in the code text, so match the name on your invoice or safety data sheet to the wording exactly. If you are still unsure, try the HS code classifier and confirm the result with your customs broker.

Difference between HS 2907 and 2908, and other nearby headings

A plain phenol belongs in 2907. A phenol that has been chlorinated or nitrated belongs in 2908.

Heading 2904 uses similar wording, but for hydrocarbons. If your starting molecule is a hydrocarbon and not a phenol, look in those two headings.

If your compound is an ether-phenol, check 2909 before you settle on 2908.

HS code 2908 import export data

Once you know your code, you can look at real trade. EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.

Start with import data or export data for a single code, or go straight to buyer data and supplier data for phenol derivatives.