HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2909.49 – Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; n.e.c. in item no. 2909.4

HS code 2909.49 is the 6-digit subheading for ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, n.e.c. in item no. 2909.4. It is used for propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME), dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPGME), triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, glycol ethers with longer alkyl chains and polyethylene glycol ethers.

What HS 2909.49 covers

This is a residual category for ether-alcohols and their derivatives not specifically covered by the more precise subheadings within 2909.4 (i.e., not 290941, 290943, or 290944). It encompasses a wide array of more complex or less common ether-alcohols, such as propylene glycol ethers, dipropylene glycol ethers, and higher polyethylene glycol ethers. These compounds find niche applications as specialty solvents, coupling agents, and intermediates in advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance coatings. Trade often involves fine chemical companies, research institutions, and manufacturers of high-value-added products. Due to the diverse nature of these chemicals, accurate chemical identification and understanding their specific functional groups are critical for correct classification and safe handling.

Covers
  • Propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME)
  • Dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPGME)
  • Triethylene glycol monomethyl ether
  • Glycol ethers with longer alkyl chains
  • Polyethylene glycol ethers
  • Propylene glycol n-butyl ether
  • Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether
Examples
  • Dowanol PnB (Dow Chemical)
  • Arcosolv PM (LyondellBasell)
  • Cellosolve Solvent (Union Carbide)
  • Eastman PM Solvent

Codes often confused with 2909.49

Common mistake. This code is a 'basket' category, so misclassification often occurs when a specific ether-alcohol should have been classified under a more precise code like 290941, 290943, or 290944, or even other alcohol categories.

2909.41Ether-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. 2909

Top exporters and importers of HS code 290949, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 290949 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 8.4% 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 $319M
  2. 2 China $266M
  3. 3 Netherlands $200M

World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $161M
  2. 2 Germany $149M
  3. 3 United States $142M

World total: $1.9B 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 2909.49 13

Brazil splits HS 2909.49 into 13 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2909.49.10 GuaifenesinGuaifenesina
  2. 2909.49.2 Ethylene glycols and their ethersEtilenoglicóis e seus éteres Group
  3. 2909.49.21 Triethylene glycolTrietilenoglicol
  4. 2909.49.22 Tetraethylene glycolTetraetilenoglicol
  5. 2909.49.23 Pentaethylene glycol and its ethersPentaetilenoglicol e seus éteres
  6. 2909.49.24 Ethylene glycol phenyl etherÉter fenílico do etilenoglicol
  7. 2909.49.29 Other ethylene glycols and their ethersOutros
  8. 2909.49.3 Propylene glycols and their ethersPropilenoglicóis e seus éteres Group
  9. 2909.49.31 Dipropylene glycolDipropilenoglicol
  10. 2909.49.32 Mono-, di- and tripropylene glycol ethersÉteres do mono-, di- e tripropilenoglicol
  11. 2909.49.39 Other propylene glycols and their ethersOutros
  12. 2909.49.4 Butylene glycols and their ethersButilenoglicóis e seus éteres Group
  13. 2909.49.41 Butylene glycol ethyl etherÉter etílico do butilenoglicol
  14. 2909.49.49 Other butylene glycols and their ethersOutros
  15. 2909.49.50 Phenoxybenzyl alcoholsÁlcoois fenoxibenzílicos
  16. 2909.49.90 Other ether-alcohols and derivativesOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.09 →

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

Questions about HS 2909.49

What is HS code 290949?

HS code 290949 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ether-alcohols and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; n.e.c. in item no. 2909.4. This is a residual category for ether-alcohols and their derivatives not specifically covered by the more precise subheadings within 2909.4 (i.e., not 290941, 290943, or 290944). It encompasses a wide array of more complex or less common ether-alcohols, such as propylene glycol ethers, dipropylene glycol ethers, and higher polyethylene glycol ethers. These compounds find niche applications as specialty solvents, coupling agents, and intermediates in advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, and high-performance coatings. Trade often involves fine chemical companies, research institutions, and manufacturers of high-value-added products. Due to the diverse nature of these chemicals, accurate chemical identification and understanding their specific functional groups are critical for correct classification and safe handling.

What products fall under HS code 290949?

Propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME), Dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPGME), Triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, Glycol ethers with longer alkyl chains, Polyethylene glycol ethers, Propylene glycol n-butyl ether, Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether

What are common misclassifications for HS code 290949?

This code is a 'basket' category, so misclassification often occurs when a specific ether-alcohol should have been classified under a more precise code like 290941, 290943, or 290944, or even other alcohol categories.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 290949?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 290949 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($319M, 18% of world exports), China ($266M) and the Netherlands ($200M). World exports came to about $1.8B, 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 290949?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 290949 in UN Comtrade data were China ($161M, 8.4% of world imports), Germany ($149M) and the United States ($142M). World imports came to about $1.9B, 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 290949 structured?

HS code 290949 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (49) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 290949?

Brazil splits HS code 290949 into 13 NCM codes: 2909.49.10 (Guaifenesin), 2909.49.21 (Triethylene glycol), 2909.49.22 (Tetraethylene glycol), 2909.49.23 (Pentaethylene glycol and its ethers), 2909.49.24 (Ethylene glycol phenyl ether), 2909.49.29 (Other ethylene glycols and their ethers), 2909.49.31 (Dipropylene glycol), 2909.49.32 (Mono-, di- and tripropylene glycol ethers), and more listed on this page. The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.