HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2904.10 – Derivatives of hydrocarbons; containing only sulpho groups, their salts and ethyl esters, whether or not halogenated

HS code 2904.10 is the 6-digit subheading for derivatives of hydrocarbons, containing only sulpho groups, their salts and ethyl esters, whether or not halogenated. It is used for benzenesulfonic acid, p-Toluenesulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid and sodium lauryl sulfate.

What HS 2904.10 covers

This category encompasses a range of organic chemical compounds crucial for various industrial applications. These derivatives, characterized by the presence of sulpho groups (SO3H) or their salts and ethyl esters, are fundamental building blocks in the chemical industry. They are often used as intermediates in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and agricultural chemicals. Countries with robust chemical manufacturing sectors, such as Germany, China, the USA, and India, are significant players in both importing raw materials and exporting finished or semi-finished sulphonated products. Importers typically include chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and agricultural chemical producers seeking specific reagents or precursors. Exporters are often large chemical conglomerates. Key things to know include the specific sulphonation process used, the purity requirements for different applications, and the regulatory landscape concerning their use, especially in consumer products or environmental discharge. The "whether or not halogenated" aspect indicates a further level of chemical modification that can alter their properties and applications, making them suitable for specialized uses like flame retardants or specific solvent applications.

Covers
  • Benzenesulfonic acid
  • P-Toluenesulfonic acid
  • Naphthalenesulfonic acid
  • Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid
  • Sodium lauryl sulfate
  • Sodium xylene sulfonate
  • Ethyl benzenesulfonate
Examples
  • BASF (sulfonic acids)
  • Clariant (surfactants)
  • Dow Chemical (intermediates)
  • Stepan Company (detergent ingredients)

Codes often confused with 2904.10

Common mistake. Can be confused with other organic chemicals in Chapter 29, particularly those with different functional groups like alcohols (2905) or carboxylic acids (2915), if the sulpho group is not clearly identified as the primary functional group.

29.05Acyclic alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives29.15Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives

Top exporters and importers of HS code 290410, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 290410 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 8.2% 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. 1 Germany $76M
  2. 2 China $73M
  3. 3 United States $39M

World total: $516M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $43M
  2. 2 United States $35M
  3. 3 Germany $29M

World total: $529M 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 2904.10 13

Brazil splits HS 2904.10 into 13 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2904.10.1 Methanesulphonic acid and its saltsÁcido metanossulfônico e seus sais Group
  2. 2904.10.11 Methanesulphonic acidÁcido metanossulfônico
  3. 2904.10.12 Lead methanesulphonateMetanossulfonato de chumbo
  4. 2904.10.13 Tin methanesulphonateMetanossulfonato de estanho
  5. 2904.10.19 Other methanesulphonic acid saltsOutros
  6. 2904.10.20 Dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid and its saltsÁcido dodecilbenzenossulfônico e seus sais
  7. 2904.10.30 Toluene- and xylenesulphonic acids and saltsÁcidos toluenossulfônicos; ácidos xilenossulfônicos; sais destes ácidos
  8. 2904.10.40 Ethanesulphonic and ethylenesulphonic acidsÁcido etanossulfônico; ácido etilenossulfônico
  9. 2904.10.5 Naphthalenesulphonic acids, their salts and their estersÁcidos naftalenossulfônicos, seus sais e seus ésteres Group
  10. 2904.10.51 Sodium naphthalenesulphonatesNaftalenossulfonatos de sódio
  11. 2904.10.52 beta-Naphthalenesulphonic acidÁcido beta-naftalenossulfônico
  12. 2904.10.53 Alkylnaphthalenesulphonic acids and their saltsÁcidos alquil- e dialquilnaftalenossulfônicos; sais destes ácidos
  13. 2904.10.59 Other naphthalenesulphonic acids, salts, estersOutros
  14. 2904.10.60 Benzenesulphonic acid and its saltsÁcido benzenossulfônico e seus sais
  15. 2904.10.90 Other sulpho derivatives of hydrocarbonsOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.04 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 2904.10

What is HS code 290410?

HS code 290410 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Derivatives of hydrocarbons; containing only sulpho groups, their salts and ethyl esters, whether or not halogenated. This category encompasses a range of organic chemical compounds crucial for various industrial applications. These derivatives, characterized by the presence of sulpho groups (SO3H) or their salts and ethyl esters, are fundamental building blocks in the chemical industry. They are often used as intermediates in the synthesis of dyes, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and agricultural chemicals. Countries with robust chemical manufacturing sectors, such as Germany, China, the USA, and India, are significant players in both importing raw materials and exporting finished or semi-finished sulphonated products. Importers typically include chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and agricultural chemical producers seeking specific reagents or precursors. Exporters are often large chemical conglomerates. Key things to know include the specific sulphonation process used, the purity requirements for different applications, and the regulatory landscape concerning their use, especially in consumer products or environmental discharge. The "whether or not halogenated" aspect indicates a further level of chemical modification that can alter their properties and applications, making them suitable for specialized uses like flame retardants or specific solvent applications.

What products fall under HS code 290410?

Benzenesulfonic acid, p-Toluenesulfonic acid, Naphthalenesulfonic acid, Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Sodium xylene sulfonate, Ethyl benzenesulfonate

What are common misclassifications for HS code 290410?

Can be confused with other organic chemicals in Chapter 29, particularly those with different functional groups like alcohols (2905) or carboxylic acids (2915), if the sulpho group is not clearly identified as the primary functional group.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 290410?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 290410 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($76M, 15% of world exports), China ($73M) and the United States ($39M). World exports came to about $516M, 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 290410?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 290410 in UN Comtrade data were China ($43M, 8.2% of world imports), the United States ($35M) and Germany ($29M). World imports came to about $529M, 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 290410 structured?

HS code 290410 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) 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 290410?

Brazil splits HS code 290410 into 13 NCM codes: 2904.10.11 (Methanesulphonic acid), 2904.10.12 (Lead methanesulphonate), 2904.10.13 (Tin methanesulphonate), 2904.10.19 (Other methanesulphonic acid salts), 2904.10.20 (Dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid and its salts), 2904.10.30 (Toluene- and xylenesulphonic acids and salts), 2904.10.40 (Ethanesulphonic and ethylenesulphonic acids), 2904.10.51 (Sodium naphthalenesulphonates), and more listed on this page. The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.