HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2901.10 – Acyclic hydrocarbons; saturated
HS code 2901.10 is the 6-digit subheading for acyclic hydrocarbons, saturated. It is used for methane, ethane, propane, butane and pentane.
What HS 2901.10 covers
Saturated acyclic hydrocarbons are fundamental building blocks in the petrochemical industry, primarily used as fuels, solvents, and raw materials for synthesizing more complex organic compounds. International trade in these compounds, such as methane, ethane, propane, and butane, is massive, driven by global energy demands and industrial production. Major exporters include countries with significant natural gas and oil reserves, like the United States, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, while large industrial economies such as China, Germany, and Japan are key importers. The trade often involves large-scale shipments via pipelines, tankers, and specialized rail cars. Key things to know include their volatility, flammability, and the need for specialized storage and transport infrastructure. Their purity levels are critical for specific industrial applications, and pricing is heavily influenced by global energy markets and geopolitical factors. These compounds are essential for plastics, rubbers, and various chemical intermediates, making them a cornerstone of modern manufacturing supply chains.
- Covers
- Methane
- Ethane
- Propane
- Butane
- Pentane
- Hexane
- Octane
- Isobutane
- Examples
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
- N-Heptane (solvent)
- Isooctane (fuel standard)
- ExxonMobil (producer)
Codes often confused with 2901.10
Common mistake. Often confused with 2711 (petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons) if not pure compounds, or 29012x codes if there's any unsaturation. The distinction lies in their chemical structure (single bonds only) and purity.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 290110, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 290110 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 79% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 36% 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 $7.1B 79% of world exports
- 2 Canada $788M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$231M 2.6% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $8.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $3.1B 36% of world imports
- 2 United States $826M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 India $723M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $8.6B 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 code for 2901.10
Brazil does not split HS 2901.10: its NCM code is 2901.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2901.10
What is HS code 290110?
HS code 290110 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acyclic hydrocarbons; saturated. Saturated acyclic hydrocarbons are fundamental building blocks in the petrochemical industry, primarily used as fuels, solvents, and raw materials for synthesizing more complex organic compounds. International trade in these compounds, such as methane, ethane, propane, and butane, is massive, driven by global energy demands and industrial production. Major exporters include countries with significant natural gas and oil reserves, like the United States, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, while large industrial economies such as China, Germany, and Japan are key importers. The trade often involves large-scale shipments via pipelines, tankers, and specialized rail cars. Key things to know include their volatility, flammability, and the need for specialized storage and transport infrastructure. Their purity levels are critical for specific industrial applications, and pricing is heavily influenced by global energy markets and geopolitical factors. These compounds are essential for plastics, rubbers, and various chemical intermediates, making them a cornerstone of modern manufacturing supply chains.
What products fall under HS code 290110?
Methane, Ethane, Propane, Butane, Pentane, Hexane, Octane, Isobutane
What are common misclassifications for HS code 290110?
Often confused with 2711 (petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons) if not pure compounds, or 29012x codes if there's any unsaturation. The distinction lies in their chemical structure (single bonds only) and purity.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 290110?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 290110 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.1B, 79% of world exports), Canada ($788M) and Russia (about $231M). World exports came to about $8.9B, 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 290110?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 290110 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.1B, 36% of world imports), the United States ($826M) and India ($723M). World imports came to about $8.6B, 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.
How is HS code 290110 structured?
HS code 290110 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 290110?
In Brazil, HS code 290110 is NCM 2901.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.