HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2916.11 – Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; acrylic acid and its salts
HS code 2916.11 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, acrylic acid and its salts. It is used for glacial acrylic acid, technical grade acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, potassium acrylate and ammonium acrylate.
What HS 2916.11 covers
Acrylic acid is a fundamental building block in the chemical industry, primarily traded as a monomer for the production of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), acrylic esters, and other acrylic derivatives. Its international trade is driven by demand from the hygiene products sector (diapers, feminine care), coatings, adhesives, and textile industries. Major chemical manufacturers in Asia, Europe, and North America are key exporters, while developing economies with growing manufacturing bases are significant importers. The global market is sensitive to crude oil prices, as propylene (a key feedstock) is derived from petroleum. Understanding the end-use applications and the supply chain for propylene is crucial for participants in this trade. Logistics for acrylic acid require specialized handling due to its corrosive nature and tendency to polymerize.
- Covers
- Glacial acrylic acid
- Technical grade acrylic acid
- Sodium acrylate
- Potassium acrylate
- Ammonium acrylate
- Acrylic acid solution
- Examples
- BASF (acrylic acid)
- Dow Chemical (acrylic acid)
- Arkema (acrylic acid)
- Nippon Shokubai (acrylic acid)
Codes often confused with 2916.11
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 291612 (esters of acrylic acid) or 3906 (acrylic polymers), as acrylic acid is a monomer for these polymers. The distinction lies in whether it's the acid itself or its derivatives/polymers.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291611, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291611 in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 28% 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 Saudi Arabia $204M 28% of world exports
- 2 Germany $86M 12% of world exports
- 3 China $63M 8.7% of world exports
World total: $730M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $76M 12% of world imports
- 2 China $52M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 France $46M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $627M 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 2916.11 2
Brazil splits HS 2916.11 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.16 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2916.11
What is HS code 291611?
HS code 291611 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; acrylic acid and its salts. Acrylic acid is a fundamental building block in the chemical industry, primarily traded as a monomer for the production of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), acrylic esters, and other acrylic derivatives. Its international trade is driven by demand from the hygiene products sector (diapers, feminine care), coatings, adhesives, and textile industries. Major chemical manufacturers in Asia, Europe, and North America are key exporters, while developing economies with growing manufacturing bases are significant importers. The global market is sensitive to crude oil prices, as propylene (a key feedstock) is derived from petroleum. Understanding the end-use applications and the supply chain for propylene is crucial for participants in this trade. Logistics for acrylic acid require specialized handling due to its corrosive nature and tendency to polymerize.
What products fall under HS code 291611?
Glacial acrylic acid, technical grade acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, potassium acrylate, ammonium acrylate, acrylic acid solution
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291611?
This code is often confused with 291612 (esters of acrylic acid) or 3906 (acrylic polymers), as acrylic acid is a monomer for these polymers. The distinction lies in whether it's the acid itself or its derivatives/polymers.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291611?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291611 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($204M, 28% of world exports), Germany ($86M) and China ($63M). World exports came to about $730M, 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 291611?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291611 in UN Comtrade data were India ($76M, 12% of world imports), China ($52M) and France ($46M). World imports came to about $627M, 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 291611 structured?
HS code 291611 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) 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 291611?
Brazil splits HS code 291611 into 2 NCM codes: 2916.11.10 (Acrylic acid), 2916.11.20 (Salts of acrylic acid). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.