HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2207.20 – Ethyl alcohol and other spirits; denatured, of any strength
HS code 2207.20 is the 6-digit subheading for ethyl alcohol and other spirits, denatured, of any strength. It is used for denatured ethanol, methylated spirits, industrial methylated spirits (IMS), rubbing alcohol (denatured) and bioethanol fuel.
What HS 2207.20 covers
This category covers denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits of any strength. Denatured alcohol has additives that make it unfit for human consumption, thereby exempting it from excise duties typically levied on alcoholic beverages. It is a crucial industrial chemical used in a vast array of products, including solvents, fuels, cosmetics, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals. The trade volume is substantial, driven by manufacturing sectors worldwide that require a cost-effective and readily available solvent or fuel component. Importers are diverse industries needing denatured alcohol for their production processes. Exporters are countries with large-scale ethanol production capabilities and sophisticated chemical processing industries. Compliance with denaturing specifications is critical for trade.
- Covers
- Denatured ethanol
- Methylated spirits
- Industrial methylated spirits (IMS)
- Rubbing alcohol (denatured)
- Bioethanol fuel
- Solvent alcohol
- Hand sanitizer base.
- Examples
- Isopropyl alcohol (often denatured ethanol blend)
- hand sanitizers (ethanol-based)
- windshield washer fluid
- shellac thinner
- bioethanol fuel.
Codes often confused with 2207.20
Common mistake. Frequently confused with 2207.10 (undenatured ethyl alcohol) if the 'denatured' status is not clearly declared, which has significant tax and regulatory implications.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 220720, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 220720 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 70% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 34% 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 United States $2.5B 70% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $353M 9.9% of world exports
- 3 Spain $164M 4.6% of world exports
World total: $3.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $1.6B 34% of world imports
- 2 India $428M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $362M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $4.7B 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 2207.20 3
Brazil splits HS 2207.20 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2207.20.1 Ethyl alcoholÁlcool etílico Group
- 2207.20.11 Denatured ethyl alcohol, water 1% vol or lessCom um teor de água inferior ou igual a 1 % vol.
- 2207.20.19 Denatured ethyl alcohol, water over 1% volOutros
- 2207.20.20 Denatured spirits, other than ethyl alcoholAguardente
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 22.07 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2207.20
What is HS code 220720?
HS code 220720 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ethyl alcohol and other spirits; denatured, of any strength. This category covers denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits of any strength. Denatured alcohol has additives that make it unfit for human consumption, thereby exempting it from excise duties typically levied on alcoholic beverages. It is a crucial industrial chemical used in a vast array of products, including solvents, fuels, cosmetics, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals. The trade volume is substantial, driven by manufacturing sectors worldwide that require a cost-effective and readily available solvent or fuel component. Importers are diverse industries needing denatured alcohol for their production processes. Exporters are countries with large-scale ethanol production capabilities and sophisticated chemical processing industries. Compliance with denaturing specifications is critical for trade.
What products fall under HS code 220720?
Denatured ethanol, methylated spirits, industrial methylated spirits (IMS), rubbing alcohol (denatured), bioethanol fuel, solvent alcohol, hand sanitizer base.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 220720?
Frequently confused with 2207.10 (undenatured ethyl alcohol) if the 'denatured' status is not clearly declared, which has significant tax and regulatory implications.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 220720?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 220720 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.5B, 70% of world exports), the Netherlands ($353M) and Spain ($164M). World exports came to about $3.6B, 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 220720?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 220720 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($1.6B, 34% of world imports), India ($428M) and the Netherlands ($362M). World imports came to about $4.7B, 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 220720 structured?
HS code 220720 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (22) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (07) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 220720?
Brazil splits HS code 220720 into 3 NCM codes: 2207.20.11 (Denatured ethyl alcohol, water 1% vol or less), 2207.20.19 (Denatured ethyl alcohol, water over 1% vol), 2207.20.20 (Denatured spirits, other than ethyl alcohol). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.