HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2912.12 – Aldehydes; acyclic, without other oxygen function, ethanal (acetaldehyde)
HS code 2912.12 is the 6-digit subheading for aldehydes, acyclic, without other oxygen function, ethanal (acetaldehyde). It is used for acetic acid, pyridine, pentaerythritol, peracetic acid and butanol.
What HS 2912.12 covers
Ethanal, or acetaldehyde, falls under this HS code and is a highly reactive organic compound crucial in the chemical industry. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of various chemicals, including acetic acid, pyridine derivatives, and several esters. It also finds niche applications in flavors and fragrances. Large chemical companies such as Celanese, Eastman, and Wacker are prominent players in its global trade. Importers are typically manufacturers of these downstream products, relying on acetaldehyde as a versatile building block. Its volatility and flammability necessitate stringent safety measures during storage, handling, and international transportation, making it a significant, though often unseen, component of global chemical commerce.
- Covers
- Acetic acid
- Pyridine
- Pentaerythritol
- Peracetic acid
- Butanol
- Ethyl acetate
- Examples
- Celanese Acetaldehyde
- Eastman Acetaldehyde
- Wacker Acetaldehyde
Codes often confused with 2912.12
Common mistake. Can be confused with other acyclic aldehydes (2912.19) or even its polymer, paraldehyde (2912.60), but its specific two-carbon structure is definitive for this classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291212, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291212 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 67% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 28% 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 Germany $22M 67% of world exports
- 2 Switzerland $3.0M 9.1% of world exports
- 3 United States $2.7M 8.2% of world exports
World total: $33M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $12M 28% of world imports
- 2 Spain $8.5M 19% of world imports
- 3 Switzerland $5.7M 13% of world imports
World total: $44M 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 2912.12
Brazil does not split HS 2912.12: its NCM code is 2912.12.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2912.12
What is HS code 291212?
HS code 291212 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aldehydes; acyclic, without other oxygen function, ethanal (acetaldehyde). Ethanal, or acetaldehyde, falls under this HS code and is a highly reactive organic compound crucial in the chemical industry. It serves as a key intermediate in the production of various chemicals, including acetic acid, pyridine derivatives, and several esters. It also finds niche applications in flavors and fragrances. Large chemical companies such as Celanese, Eastman, and Wacker are prominent players in its global trade. Importers are typically manufacturers of these downstream products, relying on acetaldehyde as a versatile building block. Its volatility and flammability necessitate stringent safety measures during storage, handling, and international transportation, making it a significant, though often unseen, component of global chemical commerce.
What products fall under HS code 291212?
Acetic acid, pyridine, pentaerythritol, peracetic acid, butanol, ethyl acetate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291212?
Can be confused with other acyclic aldehydes (2912.19) or even its polymer, paraldehyde (2912.60), but its specific two-carbon structure is definitive for this classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291212?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291212 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($22M, 67% of world exports), Switzerland ($3.0M) and the United States ($2.7M). World exports came to about $33M, 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 291212?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291212 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($12M, 28% of world imports), Spain ($8.5M) and Switzerland ($5.7M). World imports came to about $44M, 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 291212 structured?
HS code 291212 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291212?
In Brazil, HS code 291212 is NCM 2912.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.