HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2915.60 – Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; butanoic acids, pentanoic acids, their salts and esters
HS code 2915.60 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, butanoic acids, pentanoic acids, their salts and esters. It is used for butyric acid, isobutyric acid, sodium butyrate, ethyl butyrate and valeric acid.
What HS 2915.60 covers
This HS code covers butanoic acids (including butyric acid and isobutyric acid), pentanoic acids (valeric acid and isovaleric acid), and their respective salts and esters. These compounds are traded internationally for a variety of applications, including flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and as chemical intermediates. Butyric acid, for instance, is used in the production of esters for artificial flavors and in animal feed. Pentanoic acids and their derivatives also find niche applications in specialty chemicals. Major chemical manufacturers and flavor/fragrance houses are key exporters, while industries requiring specific aroma compounds, pharmaceutical precursors, or feed additives are the primary importers. Key considerations include the specific isomer (e.g., n-butyric vs. isobutyric), purity requirements, and compliance with food and pharmaceutical regulations. The market is influenced by demand from the food, feed, and specialty chemical sectors.
- Covers
- Butyric acid
- Isobutyric acid
- Sodium butyrate
- Ethyl butyrate
- Valeric acid
- Isovaleric acid
- Methyl valerate
- Amyl valerate
- Examples
- BASF Butyric Acid
- Eastman Isobutyric Acid
- Sigma-Aldrich Valeric Acid
- Symrise Ethyl Butyrate
Codes often confused with 2915.60
Common mistake. This code could be confused with propionic acid derivatives (291550) or other saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids (291590) if the specific carbon chain length (C4 or C5) is not correctly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291560, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291560 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, 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 $186M 27% of world exports
- 2 United States $128M 19% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $60M 8.7% of world exports
World total: $688M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $79M 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $53M 7.8% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $47M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $676M 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 2915.60 5
Brazil splits HS 2915.60 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2915.60.1 Butanoic acids, their salts and estersÁcidos butanoicos, seus sais e seus ésteres Group
- 2915.60.11 Butanoic acids and their saltsÁcidos butanoicos e seus sais
- 2915.60.12 Ethyl butanoateButanoato de etila
- 2915.60.19 Other butanoic acid estersOutros
- 2915.60.2 Pentanoic acids, their salts and estersÁcidos pentanoicos, seus sais e seus ésteres Group
- 2915.60.21 Pivalic acidÁcido piválico
- 2915.60.29 Other pentanoic acids, salts and estersOutros
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 2915.60
What is HS code 291560?
HS code 291560 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; butanoic acids, pentanoic acids, their salts and esters. This HS code covers butanoic acids (including butyric acid and isobutyric acid), pentanoic acids (valeric acid and isovaleric acid), and their respective salts and esters. These compounds are traded internationally for a variety of applications, including flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and as chemical intermediates. Butyric acid, for instance, is used in the production of esters for artificial flavors and in animal feed. Pentanoic acids and their derivatives also find niche applications in specialty chemicals. Major chemical manufacturers and flavor/fragrance houses are key exporters, while industries requiring specific aroma compounds, pharmaceutical precursors, or feed additives are the primary importers. Key considerations include the specific isomer (e.g., n-butyric vs. isobutyric), purity requirements, and compliance with food and pharmaceutical regulations. The market is influenced by demand from the food, feed, and specialty chemical sectors.
What products fall under HS code 291560?
Butyric acid, Isobutyric acid, Sodium butyrate, Ethyl butyrate, Valeric acid, Isovaleric acid, Methyl valerate, Amyl valerate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291560?
This code could be confused with propionic acid derivatives (291550) or other saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids (291590) if the specific carbon chain length (C4 or C5) is not correctly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291560?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291560 in UN Comtrade data were China ($186M, 27% of world exports), the United States ($128M) and the Netherlands ($60M). World exports came to about $688M, 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 291560?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291560 in UN Comtrade data were India ($79M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($53M) and the Netherlands ($47M). World imports came to about $676M, 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 291560 structured?
HS code 291560 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 (60) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291560?
Brazil splits HS code 291560 into 5 NCM codes: 2915.60.11 (Butanoic acids and their salts), 2915.60.12 (Ethyl butanoate), 2915.60.19 (Other butanoic acid esters), 2915.60.21 (Pivalic acid), 2915.60.29 (Other pentanoic acids, salts and esters). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.