HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2905.14 – Alcohols; saturated monohydric, butanols excluding item no. 2905.13
HS code 2905.14 is the 6-digit subheading for alcohols, saturated monohydric, butanols excluding item no. 2905.13. It is used for isobutyl acetate, MTBE, solvents for paints, coatings and fragrances.
What HS 2905.14 covers
This HS code covers butanols other than butan-1-ol, specifically encompassing isomers like isobutanol (2-methylpropan-1-ol), sec-butanol (butan-2-ol), and tert-butanol (2-methylpropan-2-ol). These isomers possess distinct chemical properties and applications compared to n-butanol. Isobutanol is used as a solvent, a chemical intermediate, and a potential biofuel. Tert-butanol is a key component in MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), a fuel oxygenate, and also finds use as a solvent and denaturant. Sec-butanol is primarily an industrial solvent. Specialty chemical companies, fuel additive manufacturers, and paint/coatings industries are the main importers and exporters. Key considerations include their specific solvent powers, reactivity, and roles in various synthesis pathways, which are dictated by their unique molecular structures.
- Covers
- Isobutyl acetate
- MTBE
- Solvents for paints
- Coatings
- Fragrances
- Fuel oxygenates
- Chemical intermediates
- Examples
- LyondellBasell Isobutanol
- ExxonMobil Tert-Butanol
- Shell Chemicals Butanol
- Arkema Butanol
Codes often confused with 2905.14
Common mistake. Frequently confused with butan-1-ol (290513) due to the common 'butanol' name, requiring careful identification of the specific isomer for correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 290514, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 290514 in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% 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 Saudi Arabia $95M 22% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $56M 13% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $55M 13% of world exports
World total: $438M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $67M 16% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $53M 12% of world imports
- 3 India $49M 12% of world imports
World total: $421M 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 2905.14 3
Brazil splits HS 2905.14 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2905.14.10 Isobutyl alcohol (2-methyl-1-propanol)Álcool isobutílico (2-metil-1-propanol)
- 2905.14.20 sec-Butyl alcohol (2-butanol)Álcool sec-butílico (2-butanol)
- 2905.14.30 tert-Butyl alcohol (2-methyl-2-propanol)Álcool ter-butílico (2-metil-2-propanol)
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about HS 2905.14
What is HS code 290514?
HS code 290514 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alcohols; saturated monohydric, butanols excluding item no. 2905.13. This HS code covers butanols other than butan-1-ol, specifically encompassing isomers like isobutanol (2-methylpropan-1-ol), sec-butanol (butan-2-ol), and tert-butanol (2-methylpropan-2-ol). These isomers possess distinct chemical properties and applications compared to n-butanol. Isobutanol is used as a solvent, a chemical intermediate, and a potential biofuel. Tert-butanol is a key component in MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), a fuel oxygenate, and also finds use as a solvent and denaturant. Sec-butanol is primarily an industrial solvent. Specialty chemical companies, fuel additive manufacturers, and paint/coatings industries are the main importers and exporters. Key considerations include their specific solvent powers, reactivity, and roles in various synthesis pathways, which are dictated by their unique molecular structures.
What products fall under HS code 290514?
Isobutyl acetate, MTBE, solvents for paints, coatings, fragrances, fuel oxygenates, chemical intermediates
What are common misclassifications for HS code 290514?
Frequently confused with butan-1-ol (290513) due to the common 'butanol' name, requiring careful identification of the specific isomer for correct classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 290514?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 290514 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($95M, 22% of world exports), Malaysia ($56M) and the Netherlands ($55M). World exports came to about $438M, 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 290514?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 290514 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($67M, 16% of world imports), South Korea ($53M) and India ($49M). World imports came to about $421M, 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 290514 structured?
HS code 290514 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (14) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 290514?
Brazil splits HS code 290514 into 3 NCM codes: 2905.14.10 (Isobutyl alcohol (2-methyl-1-propanol)), 2905.14.20 (sec-Butyl alcohol (2-butanol)), 2905.14.30 (tert-Butyl alcohol (2-methyl-2-propanol)). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.