HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2915.50 – Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; propionic acid, its salts and esters
HS code 2915.50 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, propionic acid, its salts and esters. It is used for propionic acid, sodium propionate, calcium propionate, methyl propionate and ethyl propionate.
What HS 2915.50 covers
Propionic acid and its derivatives are widely traded organic chemicals, primarily valued for their antimicrobial properties and use as chemical intermediates. Propionic acid itself is a common food preservative and a building block for various chemicals. Its salts, like sodium propionate and calcium propionate, are extensively used in the food and feed industries as mold inhibitors. Esters of propionic acid find applications in flavors, fragrances, and as solvents. International trade is driven by the food and feed industries, as well as the chemical manufacturing sector. Major chemical companies are key exporters, while food processors, animal feed manufacturers, and specialty chemical producers are the main importers. Key considerations include food safety regulations for preservatives and the specific industrial applications of its various derivatives. The market is influenced by global food production trends and demand for effective preservation solutions.
- Covers
- Propionic acid
- Sodium propionate
- Calcium propionate
- Methyl propionate
- Ethyl propionate
- Propyl propionate
- Butyl propionate
- Examples
- BASF Propionic Acid
- Perstorp Propionic Acid
- Eastman Propionic Acid
- Danisco Calcium Propionate
Codes often confused with 2915.50
Common mistake. This code might be confused with acetic acid derivatives (291521-291539) or other carboxylic acids (e.g., 291560 for butanoic/pentanoic acids) if the specific "propionic" chain length is not accurately identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291550, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291550 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 14% 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 United States $114M 24% of world exports
- 2 China $94M 20% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $63M 13% of world exports
World total: $475M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $68M 14% of world imports
- 2 India $40M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 United States $32M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $492M 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 2915.50 3
Brazil splits HS 2915.50 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2915.50.10 Propionic acidÁcido propiônico
- 2915.50.20 Salts of propionic acidSais
- 2915.50.30 Esters of propionic acidÉsteres
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 2915.50
What is HS code 291550?
HS code 291550 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; propionic acid, its salts and esters. Propionic acid and its derivatives are widely traded organic chemicals, primarily valued for their antimicrobial properties and use as chemical intermediates. Propionic acid itself is a common food preservative and a building block for various chemicals. Its salts, like sodium propionate and calcium propionate, are extensively used in the food and feed industries as mold inhibitors. Esters of propionic acid find applications in flavors, fragrances, and as solvents. International trade is driven by the food and feed industries, as well as the chemical manufacturing sector. Major chemical companies are key exporters, while food processors, animal feed manufacturers, and specialty chemical producers are the main importers. Key considerations include food safety regulations for preservatives and the specific industrial applications of its various derivatives. The market is influenced by global food production trends and demand for effective preservation solutions.
What products fall under HS code 291550?
Propionic acid, Sodium propionate, Calcium propionate, Methyl propionate, Ethyl propionate, Propyl propionate, Butyl propionate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291550?
This code might be confused with acetic acid derivatives (291521-291539) or other carboxylic acids (e.g., 291560 for butanoic/pentanoic acids) if the specific "propionic" chain length is not accurately identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291550?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291550 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($114M, 24% of world exports), China ($94M) and the Netherlands ($63M). World exports came to about $475M, 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 291550?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291550 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($68M, 14% of world imports), India ($40M) and the United States ($32M). World imports came to about $492M, 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 291550 structured?
HS code 291550 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291550?
Brazil splits HS code 291550 into 3 NCM codes: 2915.50.10 (Propionic acid), 2915.50.20 (Salts of propionic acid), 2915.50.30 (Esters of propionic acid). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.