HS Code 3821.00 : Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells is 3821.00. Under the 2026 Sri Lanka (Customs), the representative MFN general duty rate is 0% [Sri Lanka Customs].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Chapter 38
Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells
Heading 3821
Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells
Subheading .00
.00
Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean UnionCanadaMexicoChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaSouth KoreaGermanyBrazilTürkiyeChinese TaipeiVietnamThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesSouth AfricaEgyptIsraelChileColombiaPeruPhilippinesPakistanNew ZealandNorwayNigeriaKenyaMoroccoArgentinaEcuadorBangladeshUkraineKazakhstanQatarKuwaitOmanJordanBahrainSri LankaTunisiaGhanaCôte d'IvoireGeorgiaCambodiaPanamaCosta RicaDominican Republic
Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Customs Tariff 2026)
3821.00
MODULE 5: SRI LANKA IMPORT DUTY & 18% VAT BREAKDOWN
Import VAT / Tax Rate
18% VAT
Local Tax Rate
Notice: Sri Lanka customs entry, tariff classification, MFN duty rates, and 18% VAT are governed by Sri Lanka Customs. Always verify declarable lines with Sri Lanka Customs prior to import.
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MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
AGENCY-CONDITIONAL (PGA)
FDA Prior Notice / USDA Phytosanitary Cert
Rule-derived from verified PGA flag: Mandatory prior notice filing and health certificate.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
ACE PGA Message-Set Flags:
EPA (EP1): EPA Pesticide Notice of Arrival (NOA) Form 3540-1
Official ACE program code: ACE/PGA [FDA 21 CFR 1.276].
MODULE 8: Trade Remedies (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD)
China Section 301 Tariff Status
0% Additional Duty (Exempt)
Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Status
Exempt (Non-Metal Commodity)
EU CBAM Carbon Alert
Not in Scope
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
Browse all preferential trade calculators & compliance tools in our Customs Tools Hub ↗.
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) | Free | Must meet USMCA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules. |
| KR | U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) | Free | Direct shipment from South Korea with KORUS Certificate of Origin. |
| AU | U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement | Free | Wholly obtained or tariff shift rule under US-Australia FTA. |
| A / D | GSP / African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) | Free | 35% local value-add requirement for beneficiary country origin. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells
MODULE 11: Sri Lanka Customs Advance Ruling System
Legally binding advance tariff rulings issued by Sri Lanka Customs for HS 3821.00.
Query official Customs portal:
Search Official Customs Portal for 3821.00 →Sri Lanka Declarable Tariff Schedule (3821.00)
National line-level (8/10-digit) detail for Sri Lanka (Customs): coverage in progress.
Universal 6-digit WCO backbone applied rate: 0%. Confirm the full national commodity code at the official source (Sri Lanka Customs).
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
USITC HTS Chapter 38 Tariff Schedule (2026) ↗
Official U.S. 10-digit tariff lines and general duty rates for Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells.
CBP CROSS Ruling Database (3821.00) ↗
Binding customs classification precedents for Heading 3821.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and United States (USITC HTS) general duty for Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and United States (USITC HTS), Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells is classified under HS 3821.00 (Heading 3821, Chapter 38). The representative LK MFN general duty rate is 0%.
How is HS 3821.00 distinguished within Heading 3821 (Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells)?
Heading 3821 covers Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells. Subheading 3821.00 specifically isolates Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 3821.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 3821.00?
Related subheadings under Heading 3821 include . Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells?
Commercial Invoice (detailing Incoterms, currency, and origin), Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary, and a continuous customs bond are required for formal entries.
Can goods under HS 3821.00 enter duty-free under USMCA or Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in Mexico, Canada, South Korea, or Australia enter duty-free under preference SPI codes (P, KR, AU) provided they satisfy Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff-shift rules with a valid Certificate of Origin.
What is the US formal entry threshold for shipments of Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells?
Commercial shipments of Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells with a customs value exceeding $2,500 USD require formal customs entry (CBP Form 7501) and a continuous entry bond. Informal entry applies to lower values.
How can an importer obtain a binding CBP classification ruling for HS 3821.00?
Importers may submit an e-Ruling request under 19 CFR Part 177 to CBP National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) to obtain a legally binding tariff classification ruling prior to importation.
What import VAT or sales tax applies to HS 3821.00 in Sri Lanka?
Commercial imports of Prepared culture media for development or maintenance of micro-organisms (including viruses and the like) or of plant, human or animal cells under HS 3821.00 into Sri Lanka are subject to 18% VAT, assessed on the entered customs value plus applicable duties.
What is the customs duty de minimis threshold in Sri Lanka?
The customs de minimis threshold for import shipments into Sri Lanka is LKR threshold. Consignments under this value may qualify for duty-free or simplified entry under local regulations.
Which authority regulates customs entry and tariff classification in Sri Lanka?
Customs declarations, import duty assessments, and Sri Lanka Customs Advance Ruling System for HS 3821.00 are administered by Sri Lanka Customs.
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