HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2915.12 – Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; salts of formic acids
HS code 2915.12 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, salts of formic acids. It is used for sodium formate, calcium formate, potassium formate, ammonium formate and magnesium formate.
What HS 2915.12 covers
This HS code covers the various salts derived from formic acid, such as sodium formate, calcium formate, and potassium formate. These salts are widely utilized across several industries. Sodium formate, for instance, is used in leather tanning, as a de-icing agent, and in the production of oxalic acid. Calcium formate serves as a feed additive for livestock, a concrete accelerator, and a drilling fluid additive in the oil and gas industry. Potassium formate is often employed as an environmentally friendly de-icing agent and in oilfield drilling fluids. Major importers are countries with strong construction, agriculture, or oil and gas sectors, including China, the USA, and various European nations. Exporters typically include countries with robust chemical manufacturing capabilities, such as China, India, and Germany. Key considerations for trade involve the specific salt's purity, particle size, and packaging requirements, as well as its application-specific certifications. The demand is driven by industrial growth and the need for more sustainable chemical alternatives.
- Covers
- Sodium formate
- Calcium formate
- Potassium formate
- Ammonium formate
- Magnesium formate
- Barium formate
- Examples
- Perstorp Calcium Formate
- BASF Sodium Formate
- Kemira Formate salts
- Shandong Baoyuan Chemical Potassium Formate
Codes often confused with 2915.12
Common mistake. This code is for salts of formic acid. Formic acid itself is 291511, and its esters are 291513. Misclassification can occur if the specific derivative (acid, salt, or ester) is not clearly distinguished.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291512, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291512 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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 $129M 49% of world exports
- 2 Germany $41M 16% of world exports
- 3 Norway $24M 9.2% of world exports
World total: $262M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $42M 12% of world imports
- 2 India $27M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 Norway $25M 7.1% of world imports
World total: $356M 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 2915.12 2
Brazil splits HS 2915.12 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
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 2915.12
What is HS code 291512?
HS code 291512 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; salts of formic acids. This HS code covers the various salts derived from formic acid, such as sodium formate, calcium formate, and potassium formate. These salts are widely utilized across several industries. Sodium formate, for instance, is used in leather tanning, as a de-icing agent, and in the production of oxalic acid. Calcium formate serves as a feed additive for livestock, a concrete accelerator, and a drilling fluid additive in the oil and gas industry. Potassium formate is often employed as an environmentally friendly de-icing agent and in oilfield drilling fluids. Major importers are countries with strong construction, agriculture, or oil and gas sectors, including China, the USA, and various European nations. Exporters typically include countries with robust chemical manufacturing capabilities, such as China, India, and Germany. Key considerations for trade involve the specific salt's purity, particle size, and packaging requirements, as well as its application-specific certifications. The demand is driven by industrial growth and the need for more sustainable chemical alternatives.
What products fall under HS code 291512?
Sodium formate, Calcium formate, Potassium formate, Ammonium formate, Magnesium formate, Barium formate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291512?
This code is for salts of formic acid. Formic acid itself is 291511, and its esters are 291513. Misclassification can occur if the specific derivative (acid, salt, or ester) is not clearly distinguished.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291512?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291512 in UN Comtrade data were China ($129M, 49% of world exports), Germany ($41M) and Norway ($24M). World exports came to about $262M, 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 291512?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291512 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($42M, 12% of world imports), India ($27M) and Norway ($25M). World imports came to about $356M, 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 291512 structured?
HS code 291512 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291512?
Brazil splits HS code 291512 into 2 NCM codes: 2915.12.10 (Sodium formate), 2915.12.90 (Other salts of formic acid). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.