HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2915.11 – Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; formic acid
HS code 2915.11 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, formic acid. It is used for formic acid 85%, formic acid 99%, technical grade formic acid, food grade formic acid and formic acid solution.
What HS 2915.11 covers
This HS code specifically covers formic acid, the simplest carboxylic acid. It's a versatile chemical with widespread industrial applications, serving as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed, a coagulant in rubber production, and a reducing agent in various chemical processes. It's also used in leather tanning, textile dyeing, and as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. Major importers are often countries with significant agricultural sectors (for feed additives), rubber industries, or chemical manufacturing hubs, such as China, the USA, Germany, and Brazil. Exporters typically include nations with large-scale chemical production facilities, like China, Germany, and the Netherlands. Key aspects of trading formic acid include its corrosive nature, requiring specialized handling and storage, and its varying concentrations (e.g., 85%, 90%, 99%), which dictate its specific uses and pricing. Its demand is closely tied to the health of the agricultural and industrial sectors.
- Covers
- Formic acid 85%
- Formic acid 99%
- Technical grade formic acid
- Food grade formic acid
- Formic acid solution
- Leather tanning grade formic acid
- Examples
- BASF Formic Acid
- Perstorp Formic Acid
- Eastman Formic Acid
- Luxi Chemical Formic Acid
Codes often confused with 2915.11
Common mistake. This code is specific to formic acid. Its salts (291512) and esters (291513) are classified separately, leading to potential confusion if the specific chemical form is not identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291511, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291511 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 64% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 13% 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 $145M 64% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $45M 20% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $8.7M 3.8% of world exports
World total: $226M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $46M 13% of world imports
- 2 Germany $27M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 Spain $21M 6.0% of world imports
World total: $357M 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 2915.11
Brazil does not split HS 2915.11: its NCM code is 2915.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.15 →
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 2915.11
What is HS code 291511?
HS code 291511 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; formic acid. This HS code specifically covers formic acid, the simplest carboxylic acid. It's a versatile chemical with widespread industrial applications, serving as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed, a coagulant in rubber production, and a reducing agent in various chemical processes. It's also used in leather tanning, textile dyeing, and as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. Major importers are often countries with significant agricultural sectors (for feed additives), rubber industries, or chemical manufacturing hubs, such as China, the USA, Germany, and Brazil. Exporters typically include nations with large-scale chemical production facilities, like China, Germany, and the Netherlands. Key aspects of trading formic acid include its corrosive nature, requiring specialized handling and storage, and its varying concentrations (e.g., 85%, 90%, 99%), which dictate its specific uses and pricing. Its demand is closely tied to the health of the agricultural and industrial sectors.
What products fall under HS code 291511?
Formic acid 85%, Formic acid 99%, Technical grade formic acid, Food grade formic acid, Formic acid solution, Leather tanning grade formic acid
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291511?
This code is specific to formic acid. Its salts (291512) and esters (291513) are classified separately, leading to potential confusion if the specific chemical form is not identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291511?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291511 in UN Comtrade data were China ($145M, 64% of world exports), the Netherlands ($45M) and Belgium ($8.7M). World exports came to about $226M, 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 291511?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291511 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($46M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($27M) and Spain ($21M). World imports came to about $357M, 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 291511 structured?
HS code 291511 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (15) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291511?
In Brazil, HS code 291511 is NCM 2915.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.