HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2905.44 – Alcohols; polyhydric, d-glucitol (sorbitol)
HS code 2905.44 is the 6-digit subheading for alcohols, polyhydric, d-glucitol (sorbitol). It is used for sorbitol solution, crystalline sorbitol, sorbitol powder, sorbitol syrup and sorbitol excipient.
What HS 2905.44 covers
Sorbitol, also known as D-glucitol, is a widely traded sugar alcohol (polyhydric alcohol) with significant global demand due to its versatility as a sweetener, humectant, and bulking agent. Its international trade is primarily driven by the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Food manufacturers use it in sugar-free products, confectionery, and baked goods, while pharmaceutical companies utilize it as an excipient and laxative. Cosmetic producers incorporate it for its moisturizing properties. Key exporters are large chemical and food ingredient suppliers, with importers being major food processors, pharmaceutical companies, and personal care product manufacturers. Traders must be aware of its various forms (liquid solution, crystalline powder) and grades (e.g., food grade, pharmaceutical grade), ensuring compliance with international food safety and pharmaceutical standards. Price and supply are often influenced by the availability of glucose, its primary raw material.
- Covers
- Sorbitol solution
- Crystalline sorbitol
- Sorbitol powder
- Sorbitol syrup
- Sorbitol excipient
- Examples
- Roquette Sorbitol
- Cargill Sorbitol
- ADM Sorbitol
- Ingredion Sorbitol
Codes often confused with 2905.44
Common mistake. Sorbitol is frequently confused with other sugar alcohols, particularly mannitol (290543), due to their similar chemical nature and applications. The key distinction lies in their specific stereoisomeric structures and slightly different functional properties, requiring precise chemical identification to prevent misclassification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 290544, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 290544 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 9.7% 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 $166M 34% of world exports
- 2 France $138M 29% of world exports
- 3 India $69M 14% of world exports
World total: $484M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Poland $56M 9.7% of world imports
- 2 Japan $36M 6.3% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $30M 5.1% of world imports
World total: $579M 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 code for 2905.44
Brazil does not split HS 2905.44: its NCM code is 2905.44.00.
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 2905.44
What is HS code 290544?
HS code 290544 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alcohols; polyhydric, d-glucitol (sorbitol). Sorbitol, also known as D-glucitol, is a widely traded sugar alcohol (polyhydric alcohol) with significant global demand due to its versatility as a sweetener, humectant, and bulking agent. Its international trade is primarily driven by the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Food manufacturers use it in sugar-free products, confectionery, and baked goods, while pharmaceutical companies utilize it as an excipient and laxative. Cosmetic producers incorporate it for its moisturizing properties. Key exporters are large chemical and food ingredient suppliers, with importers being major food processors, pharmaceutical companies, and personal care product manufacturers. Traders must be aware of its various forms (liquid solution, crystalline powder) and grades (e.g., food grade, pharmaceutical grade), ensuring compliance with international food safety and pharmaceutical standards. Price and supply are often influenced by the availability of glucose, its primary raw material.
What products fall under HS code 290544?
Sorbitol solution, Crystalline sorbitol, Sorbitol powder, Sorbitol syrup, Sorbitol excipient
What are common misclassifications for HS code 290544?
Sorbitol is frequently confused with other sugar alcohols, particularly mannitol (290543), due to their similar chemical nature and applications. The key distinction lies in their specific stereoisomeric structures and slightly different functional properties, requiring precise chemical identification to prevent misclassification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 290544?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 290544 in UN Comtrade data were China ($166M, 34% of world exports), France ($138M) and India ($69M). World exports came to about $484M, 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 290544?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 290544 in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($56M, 9.7% of world imports), Japan ($36M) and the United Kingdom ($30M). World imports came to about $579M, 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 290544 structured?
HS code 290544 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 (44) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 290544?
In Brazil, HS code 290544 is NCM 2905.44.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.