HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 29.09 – Ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols, alcohol peroxides, ether peroxides, acetal and hemiacetal peroxides, ketone peroxides (chemically defined or not), and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives

What HS 29.09 covers

Heading 2909 is a broad classification covering chemically defined ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols, and a range of peroxides including alcohol peroxides, ether peroxides, acetal and hemiacetal peroxides, and ketone peroxides. Uniquely, for peroxides, the heading specifies 'chemically defined or not,' allowing for the classification of certain peroxide mixtures that are commercially recognized as distinct chemical products, which is an exception to the 'chemically defined' rule of Chapter 29. The core of this heading involves compounds characterized by an oxygen atom linking two organic groups (ethers), or combinations of ether linkages with alcohol or phenol functionalities. These compounds are indispensable as solvents, polymerization initiators, chemical intermediates, and in the production of fragrances. Accurate classification under 2909 is vital for trade compliance due to the varied hazard profiles of these chemicals—many ethers are highly flammable, and peroxides are potent oxidizers and often explosive. Historically, ethers like diethyl ether were among the first organic solvents, and peroxides became crucial for modern polymer industries. This heading underscores the diversity of oxygen-containing organic compounds within Chapter 29.

Covers
  • Diethyl ether
  • Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE)
  • Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
  • Dioxane
  • Anisole
  • Phenetole
  • Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (Butyl Cellosolve)
  • Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether
  • Guaiacol
  • Eugenol
  • Anethole
  • Diphenyl ether
  • 1,2-Dimethoxyethane
  • Furan
  • Tert-butyl hydroperoxide
  • Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP)
  • Cumene hydroperoxide
  • Dicumyl peroxide
  • 2-Methoxyethanol
  • 2-Ethoxyethanol
  • 2-Phenoxyethanol
  • 4-Methoxyphenyl methyl ether
  • Methylal
  • Dimethyl carbonate (ether-carbonate)
Examples

A petrochemical company in the United States exports Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), classified under 2909, to Latin American countries for use as a fuel additive, often shipped in bulk tankers via sea or pipeline. A German specialty chemical producer imports Tetrahydrofuran (THF) from China for use as a solvent in polymer synthesis and pharmaceutical manufacturing, typically transported by container ship. A plastics manufacturer in Japan sources Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) from South Korea for use as a curing agent in polyester resins, requiring strict hazardous material shipping protocols for air or sea freight.

Subheadings under 29.09 10

2909.11Ethers; acyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, diethyl ether2909.19Ethers; acyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, other than diethyl ether2909.20Ethers; cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives2909.30Ethers; aromatic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives2909.41Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; 2,2-oxydiethanol (diethylene glycol, digol)2909.43Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; monobutyl ethers of ethylene glycol or of diethylene glycol2909.44Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; monoalkylethers of ethylene glycol or of diethylene glycol n.e.c. in heading no. 29092909.49Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; n.e.c. in item no. 2909.42909.50Ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives2909.60Alcohol peroxides, ether peroxides, acetal and hemiacetal peroxides, ketone peroxides and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives

48 Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.09 →

Codes often confused with 29.09

Common mistake. Common misclassifications under HS 2909 involve confusing ethers with other oxygen-containing compounds like alcohols (2905, 2906), ketones (2914), or aldehydes (2912), if their functional groups are not carefully identified. Specifically, ether-alcohols might be incorrectly classified as simple alcohols. A significant area of error is distinguishing between pure, chemically defined ethers/peroxides under 2909 and mixtures of solvents (3814) or preparations (3824) containing these compounds. The 'chemically defined or not' clause for peroxides is unique; however, if the peroxide is part of a complex formulation, it will likely fall outside 2909. Traders must carefully assess the primary function and composition of the product.

29.05Acyclic alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives29.06Alcohols; cyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives29.14Ketones and quinones; whether or not with other oxygen function, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrostated derivatives29.12Aldehydes, whether or not with other oxygen function; cyclic polymers of aldehydes; paraformaldehyde38.14Organic composite solvents and thinners, not elsewhere specified or included; prepared paint or varnish removers38.24Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included

Top exporters and importers of HS code 2909, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2909 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 11% 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 $4.4B
  2. 2 United States $3.6B
  3. 3 Netherlands $1.3B

World total: $15.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Mexico $1.7B
  2. 2 Japan $1.6B
  3. 3 Singapore $1.6B

World total: $16.3B 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.

Questions about HS 29.09

What is HS code 2909?

HS code 2909 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols, alcohol peroxides, ether peroxides, acetal and hemiacetal peroxides, ketone peroxides (chemically defined or not), and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives. Heading 2909 is a broad classification covering chemically defined ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols, and a range of peroxides including alcohol peroxides, ether peroxides, acetal and hemiacetal peroxides, and ketone peroxides. Uniquely, for peroxides, the heading specifies 'chemically defined or not,' allowing for the classification of certain peroxide mixtures that are commercially recognized as distinct chemical products, which is an exception to the 'chemically defined' rule of Chapter 29. The core of this heading involves compounds characterized by an oxygen atom linking two organic groups (ethers), or combinations of ether linkages with alcohol or phenol functionalities. These compounds are indispensable as solvents, polymerization initiators, chemical intermediates, and in the production of fragrances. Accurate classification under 2909 is vital for trade compliance due to the varied hazard profiles of these chemicals—many ethers are highly flammable, and peroxides are potent oxidizers and often explosive. Historically, ethers like diethyl ether were among the first organic solvents, and peroxides became crucial for modern polymer industries. This heading underscores the diversity of oxygen-containing organic compounds within Chapter 29.

What products fall under HS code 2909?

Diethyl ether, Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), Dioxane, Anisole, Phenetole, Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (Butyl Cellosolve), Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, Guaiacol, Eugenol, Anethole, Diphenyl ether, 1,2-Dimethoxyethane, Furan, Tert-butyl hydroperoxide, Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP), Cumene hydroperoxide, Dicumyl peroxide, 2-Methoxyethanol, 2-Ethoxyethanol, 2-Phenoxyethanol, 4-Methoxyphenyl methyl ether, Methylal, Dimethyl carbonate (ether-carbonate)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 2909?

Common misclassifications under HS 2909 involve confusing ethers with other oxygen-containing compounds like alcohols (2905, 2906), ketones (2914), or aldehydes (2912), if their functional groups are not carefully identified. Specifically, ether-alcohols might be incorrectly classified as simple alcohols. A significant area of error is distinguishing between pure, chemically defined ethers/peroxides under 2909 and mixtures of solvents (3814) or preparations (3824) containing these compounds. The 'chemically defined or not' clause for peroxides is unique; however, if the peroxide is part of a complex formulation, it will likely fall outside 2909. Traders must carefully assess the primary function and composition of the product.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2909?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2909 in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.4B, 28% of world exports), the United States ($3.6B) and the Netherlands ($1.3B). World exports came to about $15.8B, 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 2909?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2909 in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($1.7B, 11% of world imports), Japan ($1.6B) and Singapore ($1.6B). World imports came to about $16.3B, 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 2909 structured?

HS code 2909 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 29 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (09) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.