HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1302.32 – Mucilages and thickeners; whether or not modified, derived from locust beans, locust bean seeds or guar seeds
HS code 1302.32 is the 6-digit subheading for mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from locust beans, locust bean seeds or guar seeds. It is used for guar gum powder, locust bean gum powder, carob gum, modified guar gum and food-grade guar gum.
What HS 1302.32 covers
This HS code covers mucilages and thickeners derived specifically from locust beans (carob) and guar seeds, primarily locust bean gum (LBG) and guar gum. These natural hydrocolloids are extensively traded as thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers in the food industry (e.g., dairy, ice cream, sauces, baked goods), textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Importers are typically food processors, chemical manufacturers, and textile companies seeking to improve product texture, stability, and shelf-life. Exporters are countries with significant cultivation of carob trees and guar plants, such as India for guar and Mediterranean countries for carob. Trade focuses on purity, viscosity, and specific functional properties, as these gums are crucial for a vast array of consumer and industrial products, driving consistent international demand.
- Covers
- Guar gum powder
- Locust bean gum powder
- Carob gum
- Modified guar gum
- Food-grade guar gum
- Industrial guar gum
- Guar gum splits
- Guar flour
- Examples
- Bob's Red Mill Guar Gum
- NOW Foods Guar Gum
- TIC Gums Guar Gum
- Cargill Locust Bean Gum
- DuPont Danisco LBG
Codes often confused with 1302.32
Common mistake. Often confused with other vegetable mucilages under 1302.39 or even starches (Chapter 11) due to similar thickening functions, but these are specifically from locust beans/guar. Xanthan gum (3913.90) is also distinct.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 130232, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 130232 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% 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 India $408M 45% of world exports
- 2 Spain $84M 9.4% of world exports
- 3 Italy $71M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $897M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $182M 20% of world imports
- 2 Germany $90M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 Russia* ~$81M 8.7% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $932M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 codes for 1302.32 3
Brazil splits HS 1302.32 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 1302.32.1 Of locust beans or locust bean seedsDe alfarroba ou de suas sementes Group
- 1302.32.11 Locust bean gum (endosperm flour)Farinha de endosperma
- 1302.32.19 Other locust bean mucilages and thickenersOutros
- 1302.32.20 Guar gum and guar seed thickenersDe sementes de guar
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 1302.32
What is HS code 130232?
HS code 130232 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Mucilages and thickeners; whether or not modified, derived from locust beans, locust bean seeds or guar seeds. This HS code covers mucilages and thickeners derived specifically from locust beans (carob) and guar seeds, primarily locust bean gum (LBG) and guar gum. These natural hydrocolloids are extensively traded as thickeners, stabilizers, and emulsifiers in the food industry (e.g., dairy, ice cream, sauces, baked goods), textiles, and pharmaceuticals. Importers are typically food processors, chemical manufacturers, and textile companies seeking to improve product texture, stability, and shelf-life. Exporters are countries with significant cultivation of carob trees and guar plants, such as India for guar and Mediterranean countries for carob. Trade focuses on purity, viscosity, and specific functional properties, as these gums are crucial for a vast array of consumer and industrial products, driving consistent international demand.
What products fall under HS code 130232?
Guar gum powder, locust bean gum powder, carob gum, modified guar gum, food-grade guar gum, industrial guar gum, guar gum splits, guar flour
What are common misclassifications for HS code 130232?
Often confused with other vegetable mucilages under 1302.39 or even starches (Chapter 11) due to similar thickening functions, but these are specifically from locust beans/guar. Xanthan gum (3913.90) is also distinct.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 130232?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 130232 in UN Comtrade data were India ($408M, 45% of world exports), Spain ($84M) and Italy ($71M). World exports came to about $897M, 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 130232?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 130232 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($182M, 20% of world imports), Germany ($90M) and Russia (about $81M). World imports came to about $932M, 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 130232 structured?
HS code 130232 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 (32) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 130232?
Brazil splits HS code 130232 into 3 NCM codes: 1302.32.11 (Locust bean gum (endosperm flour)), 1302.32.19 (Other locust bean mucilages and thickeners), 1302.32.20 (Guar gum and guar seed thickeners). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.