HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1302.31 – Mucilages and thickeners; agar-agar, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products
HS code 1302.31 is the 6-digit subheading for mucilages and thickeners, agar-agar, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products. It is used for agar powder, agar flakes, bacteriological agar, food-grade agar and plant tissue culture agar.
What HS 1302.31 covers
This HS code specifically covers agar-agar, a powerful gelatinous substance derived from red algae, used as a mucilage and thickener. It holds significant importance in international trade across various sectors: the food industry (for desserts, confectionery, and dairy), microbiology (as a solidifying agent for culture media), and pharmaceuticals (as a laxative or in capsule shells). Importers include food manufacturers, scientific laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies globally. Exporters are typically countries with substantial seaweed harvesting and processing capabilities, particularly in Asia. Key trade aspects involve its gelling strength, purity, and specific applications, as agar-agar is a popular vegetarian alternative to gelatin. Its unique properties make it an indispensable ingredient, ensuring a steady global demand and robust trade flows.
- Covers
- Agar powder
- Agar flakes
- Bacteriological agar
- Food-grade agar
- Plant tissue culture agar
- Agar strips
- Modified agar
- Agar-agar strands
- Examples
- NOW Foods Agar Powder
- Bob's Red Mill Agar-Agar Powder
- Sigma-Aldrich Bacteriological Agar
- Kanto Chemical Agar
- Eden Foods Agar Agar Flakes
Codes often confused with 1302.31
Common mistake. Can be confused with other vegetable mucilages and thickeners in 1302.39 or gelatin (3503.00) due to similar uses, but agar is specifically algae-derived. Alginates (3913.10) are also distinct.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 130231, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 130231 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 16% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $79M 29% of world exports
- 2 Morocco $58M 22% of world exports
- 3 Spain $44M 16% of world exports
World total: $269M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $38M 16% of world imports
- 2 United States $35M 14% of world imports
- 3 Spain $17M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $243M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 1302.31
Brazil does not split HS 1302.31: its NCM code is 1302.31.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 13.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 1302.31
What is HS code 130231?
HS code 130231 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Mucilages and thickeners; agar-agar, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products. This HS code specifically covers agar-agar, a powerful gelatinous substance derived from red algae, used as a mucilage and thickener. It holds significant importance in international trade across various sectors: the food industry (for desserts, confectionery, and dairy), microbiology (as a solidifying agent for culture media), and pharmaceuticals (as a laxative or in capsule shells). Importers include food manufacturers, scientific laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies globally. Exporters are typically countries with substantial seaweed harvesting and processing capabilities, particularly in Asia. Key trade aspects involve its gelling strength, purity, and specific applications, as agar-agar is a popular vegetarian alternative to gelatin. Its unique properties make it an indispensable ingredient, ensuring a steady global demand and robust trade flows.
What products fall under HS code 130231?
Agar powder, agar flakes, bacteriological agar, food-grade agar, plant tissue culture agar, agar strips, modified agar, agar-agar strands
What are common misclassifications for HS code 130231?
Can be confused with other vegetable mucilages and thickeners in 1302.39 or gelatin (3503.00) due to similar uses, but agar is specifically algae-derived. Alginates (3913.10) are also distinct.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 130231?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 130231 in UN Comtrade data were China ($79M, 29% of world exports), Morocco ($58M) and Spain ($44M). World exports came to about $269M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 130231?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 130231 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($38M, 16% of world imports), the United States ($35M) and Spain ($17M). World imports came to about $243M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 130231 structured?
HS code 130231 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (13) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 130231?
In Brazil, HS code 130231 is NCM 1302.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.