HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2915.70 – Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters
HS code 2915.70 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters. It is used for palmitic acid, stearic acid, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate and glyceryl monostearate.
What HS 2915.70 covers
Palmitic acid and stearic acid, along with their salts and esters, are long-chain saturated fatty acids and their derivatives, widely traded commodities in the chemical and oleochemical industries. These compounds are primarily derived from natural fats and oils (e.g., palm oil, tallow) and are crucial ingredients in a vast array of products. They are extensively used in cosmetics, personal care products, soaps, detergents, lubricants, plastics, and food emulsifiers. International trade is dominated by oleochemical producers and distributors, with major importers being manufacturers in the aforementioned sectors. Key things to know include the impact of sustainable sourcing practices (e.g., RSPO certification for palm-derived products) and the volatility of raw material prices (palm oil, animal fats). Their versatility and natural origin make them indispensable in many consumer and industrial goods.
- Covers
- Palmitic acid
- Stearic acid
- Sodium stearate
- Magnesium stearate
- Glyceryl monostearate
- Isopropyl palmitate
- Ethyl stearate
- Zinc stearate
- Examples
- Wilmar Palmitic Acid
- KLK Oleo Stearic Acid
- BASF Magnesium Stearate
- Croda Isopropyl Palmitate
Codes often confused with 2915.70
Common mistake. This code might be confused with other saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids (291590) or unsaturated fatty acids (382319) if the specific long-chain saturated nature is not recognized, or with fatty alcohols (290517) which are often co-produced.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291570, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291570 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 8.4% 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 Indonesia $507M 33% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $306M 20% of world exports
- 3 India $171M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $118M 8.4% of world imports
- 2 China $88M 6.3% of world imports
- 3 Germany $74M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 2915.70 6
Brazil splits HS 2915.70 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2915.70.1 Palmitic acid, its salts and estersÁcido palmítico, seus sais e seus ésteres Group
- 2915.70.11 Palmitic acidÁcido palmítico
- 2915.70.19 Palmitic acid salts and estersOutros
- 2915.70.20 Stearic acidÁcido esteárico
- 2915.70.3 Salts of stearic acidSais do ácido esteárico Group
- 2915.70.31 Zinc stearateDe zinco
- 2915.70.39 Other salts of stearic acidOutros
- 2915.70.40 Esters of stearic acidÉsteres do ácido esteárico
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 2915.70
What is HS code 291570?
HS code 291570 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters. Palmitic acid and stearic acid, along with their salts and esters, are long-chain saturated fatty acids and their derivatives, widely traded commodities in the chemical and oleochemical industries. These compounds are primarily derived from natural fats and oils (e.g., palm oil, tallow) and are crucial ingredients in a vast array of products. They are extensively used in cosmetics, personal care products, soaps, detergents, lubricants, plastics, and food emulsifiers. International trade is dominated by oleochemical producers and distributors, with major importers being manufacturers in the aforementioned sectors. Key things to know include the impact of sustainable sourcing practices (e.g., RSPO certification for palm-derived products) and the volatility of raw material prices (palm oil, animal fats). Their versatility and natural origin make them indispensable in many consumer and industrial goods.
What products fall under HS code 291570?
Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Sodium stearate, Magnesium stearate, Glyceryl monostearate, Isopropyl palmitate, Ethyl stearate, Zinc stearate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291570?
This code might be confused with other saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids (291590) or unsaturated fatty acids (382319) if the specific long-chain saturated nature is not recognized, or with fatty alcohols (290517) which are often co-produced.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291570?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291570 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($507M, 33% of world exports), Malaysia ($306M) and India ($171M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 291570?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291570 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($118M, 8.4% of world imports), China ($88M) and Germany ($74M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 291570 structured?
HS code 291570 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 (70) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291570?
Brazil splits HS code 291570 into 6 NCM codes: 2915.70.11 (Palmitic acid), 2915.70.19 (Palmitic acid salts and esters), 2915.70.20 (Stearic acid), 2915.70.31 (Zinc stearate), 2915.70.39 (Other salts of stearic acid), 2915.70.40 (Esters of stearic acid). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.