Chapter 36
Explosives; Matches
By TariffCenter Research Team · Updated 2026-04-09 · Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule
At a glance
Chapter 36 contains 27 HTS lines covering explosives; matches. General U.S. duty rates: Free to 6.5%. Section 301 surcharges apply on selected lines for imports from China. Reciprocal tariffs apply following the February 2026 SCOTUS ruling.
3601 — Propellant powders
#Heading 3601 contains 1 HTS line. General U.S. duty rates: 3.25%. Section 301 surcharges (7.5%–100%) and Section 122 surcharge (15%) apply to selected lines.
| HS Code | Description | General Rate | Special Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3601.00.00.00 | Propellant powders | 3.25% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
3602 — Prepared explosives, other than propellant powders
#Heading 3602 contains 3 HTS lines. General U.S. duty rates: Free. Section 301 surcharges (7.5%–100%) and Section 122 surcharge (15%) apply to selected lines.
3602.00.00
Prepared explosives, other than propellant powders
Free
3602.00.00.30
Dynamite and other high explosives, put up in cartridges, sticks or other forms, suitable for blasting
Free
3602.00.00.60
Other
Free
| HS Code | Description | General Rate | Special Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3602.00.00 | Prepared explosives, other than propellant powders | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3602.00.00.30 | Dynamite and other high explosives, put up in cartridges, sticks or other forms, suitable for blasting | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3602.00.00.60 | Other | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
3603 — Safety fuses; detonating cords; percussion or detonating caps; igniters; electric detonators
#Heading 3603 contains 7 HTS lines. General U.S. duty rates: Free–4.2%. Section 301 surcharges (7.5%–100%) and Section 122 surcharge (15%) apply to selected lines.
3603
Safety fuses; detonating cords; percussion or detonating caps; igniters; electric detonators:
Free
3603.10.00.00
Safety fuses
3%
3603.20.00.00
Detonating cords
3%
3603.30.00.00
Percussion caps
4.2%
3603.40.00.00
Detonating caps
0.2%
3603.50.00.00
Igniters
0.2%
3603.60.00.00
Electric detonators
0.2%
| HS Code | Description | General Rate | Special Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3603 | Safety fuses; detonating cords; percussion or detonating caps; igniters; electric detonators: | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3603.10.00.00 | Safety fuses | 3% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3603.20.00.00 | Detonating cords | 3% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3603.30.00.00 | Percussion caps | 4.2% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3603.40.00.00 | Detonating caps | 0.2% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3603.50.00.00 | Igniters | 0.2% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3603.60.00.00 | Electric detonators | 0.2% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
3604 — Fireworks, signaling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles
#Heading 3604 contains 7 HTS lines. General U.S. duty rates: Free–6.5%. Section 301 surcharges (7.5%–100%) and Section 122 surcharge (15%) apply to selected lines.
3604
Fireworks, signaling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles:
Free
3604.10
Fireworks:
Free
3604.10.10.00
Display or special fireworks (Class 1.3G)
2.4%
3604.10.90
Other (including Class 1.4G)
5.3%
3604.10.90.10
Class 1.4G (Class C)
Free
3604.10.90.50
Other
Free
3604.90.00.00
Other
6.5%
| HS Code | Description | General Rate | Special Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3604 | Fireworks, signaling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles: | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3604.10 | Fireworks: | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3604.10.10.00 | Display or special fireworks (Class 1.3G) | 2.4% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3604.10.90 | Other (including Class 1.4G) | 5.3% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3604.10.90.10 | Class 1.4G (Class C) | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3604.10.90.50 | Other | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3604.90.00.00 | Other | 6.5% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A*,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
3605 — Matches, other than pyrotechnic articles of heading 3604
#Heading 3605 contains 3 HTS lines. General U.S. duty rates: Free. Section 301 surcharges (7.5%–100%) and Section 122 surcharge (15%) apply to selected lines.
3605.00.00
Matches, other than pyrotechnic articles of heading 3604
Free
3605.00.00.30
Matches with natural wood stems
Free
3605.00.00.60
Other
Free
| HS Code | Description | General Rate | Special Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3605.00.00 | Matches, other than pyrotechnic articles of heading 3604 | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3605.00.00.30 | Matches with natural wood stems | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3605.00.00.60 | Other | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
3606 — Ferrocerium and other pyrophoric alloys in all forms; articles of combustible materials as specified in note 2 to this chapter
#Heading 3606 contains 6 HTS lines. General U.S. duty rates: Free–5.9%. Section 301 surcharges (7.5%–100%) and Section 122 surcharge (15%) apply to selected lines.
3606
Ferrocerium and other pyrophoric alloys in all forms; articles of combustible materials as specified in note 2 to this chapter:
Free
3606.10.00.00
Liquid or liquefied-gas fuels in containers of a kind used for filling or refilling cigarette or similar lighters and of a capacity not exceeding 300 cm3
Free
3606.90
Other:
Free
3606.90.30.00
Ferrocerium and other pyrophoric alloys
5.9%
3606.90.40.00
Metaldehyde
Free
3606.90.80.00
Other
5%
| HS Code | Description | General Rate | Special Rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3606 | Ferrocerium and other pyrophoric alloys in all forms; articles of combustible materials as specified in note 2 to this chapter: | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3606.10.00.00 | Liquid or liquefied-gas fuels in containers of a kind used for filling or refilling cigarette or similar lighters and of a capacity not exceeding 300 cm3 | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3606.90 | Other: | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3606.90.30.00 | Ferrocerium and other pyrophoric alloys | 5.9% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL, JO,KR,MA,OM,P, PA,PE,S,SG) |
| 3606.90.40.00 | Metaldehyde | Free | 301: 25%S122: 10% |
| 3606.90.80.00 | Other | 5% | 301: 25%S122: 10%hts_special: Free (A,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) |
Frequently Asked Questions — Chapter 36
Sources & Methodology
- Base HTS rates: U.S. International Trade Commission — Harmonized Tariff Schedule (2025 edition, Chapter 36). “General rate” shows the min–max range across all 10-digit subheadings.
- Section 301 rates: Office of the U.S. Trade Representative — Section 301 action lists. Flags indicate HTS lines listed on USTR China 301 Lists 1–4B.
- Reciprocal tariffs: Based on the post-SCOTUS Section 122 framework (February 2026). See the TariffCenter Tariff Tracker for current program status.
- Verify before importing: U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Rulings Online or consult a licensed customs broker for binding classification rulings.
Glossary
- General rate (MFN rate)
- The base import duty applied to all World Trade Organization members under Most-Favored-Nation treatment. This is the standard rate shown in the General Rate column.
- Section 301 tariff (301: 7.5%–100%)
- An additional surcharge authorized under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposed on selected imports from China. Rates vary by product list and category: Lists 1–3 at 25%, List 4A at 7.5%, with four-year review increases up to 100% on strategic sectors (EVs, semiconductors, solar, medical equipment). Applied on top of the MFN base rate.
- Section 122 surcharge (Sec. 122: 15%)
- A 15% global surcharge on all imports enacted under Section 122 authority after the February 2026 SCOTUS ruling struck down IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs. USMCA-qualifying goods are exempt. Stacked on top of base and Section 301 rates.
- Section 232 tariff (S232)
- Tariffs on qualifying steel, aluminum, copper, and derivative products imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 on national security grounds. Rates now vary by product bucket and current Chapter 99 treatment.
- hts_special / Special rates
- Preferential duty rates available to imports from countries with Free Trade Agreements or other special trade programs with the U.S. Country codes: AU (Australia), BH (Bahrain), CA (Canada), CL (Chile), CO (Colombia), IL (Israel), JO (Jordan), KR (South Korea), MA (Morocco), MX (Mexico), OM (Oman), PA (Panama), PE (Peru), SG (Singapore). Free (AU,BH...) means duty-free treatment for those partners.