The dynamic tariff landscape in North America and its effect on regulatory compliance: Cleaners & Disinfectants
On March 4, 2025, previously announced U.S. tariffs of 25% on Canadian goods entering the United States came into effect. The 25% tariffs apply to MOST Canadian goods, apart from certain energy products which are subject at 10%. In defense of these actions, Canada has implemented countermeasures including reciprocal tariffs for products being imported into Canada from the USA.
International trade in goods is classified using the World Customs Organization’s (WCO’s) Harmonized Description and Coding System (HS). The HS classifies all products using 6-digit codes that are organized by chapter (2 digits), heading (4 digits) and subheading (6 digits). HS codes are harmonized internationally up to the 6-digit level.
WCO members use the HS codes as the basis for their tariff schedules and export codes, typically adding digits to the HS 6-digit subheading for additional precision in their national classification. By finding the HS code that applies to the good, you can find the applicable tariff rate.
At this time, products with public health impacts (HS codes: 3402, 380891, 380894, 380899) have been exempted from List 1 and List 2 of the Canada reciprocal tariffs. High level descriptions of these HS codes are below however please note that each HS code has additional layers of details within it where you need to have a customs expert review your product to determine if it fits into these particular codes. Errors in classifying products can cause considerable fines.
HS 380891 and 380899: “Insecticides, Rodenticides, Fungicides, Herbicides, Antisprouting products and Plant Growth Regulators, Disinfectants and similar products, put up in forms of packings for retail sale or as”
HS 380894: “Disinfectants”
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