HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 1302.39 – Mucilages and thickeners; whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products, n.e.c. in item no. 1302.3
HS code 1302.39 is the 6-digit subheading for mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products, n.e.c. in item no. 1302.3. It is used for gum arabic, gum tragacanth, carrageenan, konjac gum and psyllium husk powder (as thickener).
What HS 1302.39 covers
This 'basket' HS code encompasses various other vegetable-derived mucilages and thickeners not specifically classified elsewhere within 1302.3. These natural hydrocolloids are crucial in diverse industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications like textiles and paper. Examples include gum arabic, gum tragacanth, carrageenan, and konjac gum. Importers are manufacturers globally, seeking natural thickening, stabilizing, or emulsifying agents for their product formulations. Exporters are often countries rich in specific plant resources or with advanced processing capabilities to extract and refine these gums. Key trade considerations involve the specific functional properties, purity, and regulatory compliance for different applications, as these ingredients are vital for product texture, stability, and shelf life across numerous sectors.
- Covers
- Gum arabic
- Gum tragacanth
- Carrageenan
- Konjac gum
- Psyllium husk powder (as thickener)
- Tara gum
- Gellan gum
- Gum ghatti
- Examples
- NOW Foods Gum Arabic
- Frontier Co-op Gum Tragacanth
- Cargill Carrageenan
- TIC Gums Tara Gum
- Simply Gum Arabic
Codes often confused with 1302.39
Common mistake. This code is a common catch-all, but care must be taken not to misclassify specific gums like agar (1302.31) or locust bean/guar gum (1302.32). Synthetic thickeners (Chapter 39) are also distinct.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 130239, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 130239 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 8.5% 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 $504M 34% of world exports
- 2 Philippines $199M 13% of world exports
- 3 Spain $136M 9.0% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $118M 8.5% of world imports
- 2 Germany $90M 6.5% of world imports
- 3 Spain $83M 6.0% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 codes for 1302.39 2
Brazil splits HS 1302.39 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 1302.39.10 Carrageenan (Irish moss)Carragenina (musgo-de-irlanda)
- 1302.39.90 Other vegetable mucilages and thickenersOutros
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 1302.39
What is HS code 130239?
HS code 130239 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Mucilages and thickeners; whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products, n.e.c. in item no. 1302.3. This 'basket' HS code encompasses various other vegetable-derived mucilages and thickeners not specifically classified elsewhere within 1302.3. These natural hydrocolloids are crucial in diverse industries, including food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications like textiles and paper. Examples include gum arabic, gum tragacanth, carrageenan, and konjac gum. Importers are manufacturers globally, seeking natural thickening, stabilizing, or emulsifying agents for their product formulations. Exporters are often countries rich in specific plant resources or with advanced processing capabilities to extract and refine these gums. Key trade considerations involve the specific functional properties, purity, and regulatory compliance for different applications, as these ingredients are vital for product texture, stability, and shelf life across numerous sectors.
What products fall under HS code 130239?
Gum arabic, gum tragacanth, carrageenan, konjac gum, psyllium husk powder (as thickener), tara gum, gellan gum, gum ghatti
What are common misclassifications for HS code 130239?
This code is a common catch-all, but care must be taken not to misclassify specific gums like agar (1302.31) or locust bean/guar gum (1302.32). Synthetic thickeners (Chapter 39) are also distinct.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 130239?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 130239 in UN Comtrade data were China ($504M, 34% of world exports), the Philippines ($199M) and Spain ($136M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 130239?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 130239 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($118M, 8.5% of world imports), Germany ($90M) and Spain ($83M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 130239 structured?
HS code 130239 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 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 130239?
Brazil splits HS code 130239 into 2 NCM codes: 1302.39.10 (Carrageenan (Irish moss)), 1302.39.90 (Other vegetable mucilages and thickeners). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.