HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2906.13 – Alcohols; cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic and derivatives, sterols and inositols

HS code 2906.13 is the 6-digit subheading for alcohols, cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic and derivatives, sterols and inositols. It is used for cholesterol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol and myo-inositol.

What HS 2906.13 covers

HS code 290613 covers cyclanic, cyclenic, or cycloterpenic alcohols and their derivatives, specifically sterols and inositols. These are complex organic compounds with significant biological activity, making them vital in the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and cosmetic industries. Sterols, such as cholesterol and phytosterols, serve as precursors for hormones, vitamins (like Vitamin D), and bile acids. Inositols, like myo-inositol, are important for cell signaling and are used in dietary supplements. Trade involves specialized chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, often dealing in high-purity, high-value bulk ingredients. Regulatory compliance for food and pharmaceutical applications is a critical aspect of trading these compounds, as is ensuring specific isomer purity.

Covers
  • Cholesterol
  • Beta-sitosterol
  • Stigmasterol
  • Ergosterol
  • Myo-inositol
  • D-Chiro-inositol
  • Phytosterols
Examples
  • ADM Phytosterols
  • BASF Sterols
  • DSM Inositol
  • Merck KGaA (various sterols)
  • Cargill CoroWise

Codes often confused with 2906.13

Common mistake. Can be confused with 2936.90 (provitamins and vitamins) if the sterol is a direct provitamin, or 2937.29 (other steroidal hormones) if it's a processed hormone rather than the raw sterol.

2936.90Vitamins; n.e.c. in heading no. 2936, including natural concentrates2937.29Steroidal hormones, their derivatives and structural analogues; other than cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone (dehydrocortisone), prednisolone (dehydrohydrocortisone), halogenated derivatives of corticosteroidal hormones, oestrogen and progestogens

Top exporters and importers of HS code 290613, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 290613 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ecuador, with 19% 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 China $114M
  2. 2 United States $40M
  3. 3 Netherlands $31M

World total: $279M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Ecuador $53M
  2. 2 China $28M
  3. 3 United States $21M

World total: $271M 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 2906.13

Brazil does not split HS 2906.13: its NCM code is 2906.13.00.

  1. 2906.13.00 Sterols and inositolsEsteróis e inositóis

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.06 →

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

Questions about HS 2906.13

What is HS code 290613?

HS code 290613 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alcohols; cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic and derivatives, sterols and inositols. HS code 290613 covers cyclanic, cyclenic, or cycloterpenic alcohols and their derivatives, specifically sterols and inositols. These are complex organic compounds with significant biological activity, making them vital in the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and cosmetic industries. Sterols, such as cholesterol and phytosterols, serve as precursors for hormones, vitamins (like Vitamin D), and bile acids. Inositols, like myo-inositol, are important for cell signaling and are used in dietary supplements. Trade involves specialized chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers, often dealing in high-purity, high-value bulk ingredients. Regulatory compliance for food and pharmaceutical applications is a critical aspect of trading these compounds, as is ensuring specific isomer purity.

What products fall under HS code 290613?

Cholesterol, Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Ergosterol, Myo-inositol, D-Chiro-inositol, Phytosterols

What are common misclassifications for HS code 290613?

Can be confused with 2936.90 (provitamins and vitamins) if the sterol is a direct provitamin, or 2937.29 (other steroidal hormones) if it's a processed hormone rather than the raw sterol.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 290613?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 290613 in UN Comtrade data were China ($114M, 41% of world exports), the United States ($40M) and the Netherlands ($31M). World exports came to about $279M, 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 290613?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 290613 in UN Comtrade data were Ecuador ($53M, 19% of world imports), China ($28M) and the United States ($21M). World imports came to about $271M, 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 290613 structured?

HS code 290613 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (13) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 290613?

In Brazil, HS code 290613 is NCM 2906.13.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.