HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2916.31 – Acids; aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoic acid, its salts and esters
HS code 2916.31 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoic acid, its salts and esters. It is used for benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, methyl benzoate and ethyl benzoate.
What HS 2916.31 covers
Benzoic acid, its salts (like sodium benzoate), and esters are widely traded aromatic monocarboxylic acids with diverse industrial applications. Benzoic acid itself is a precursor to many organic compounds, while its derivatives are primarily used as preservatives in food and beverages, as well as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and plasticizers. Importers include food processing companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and chemical formulators, while major chemical producers in Asia, Europe, and North America are key exporters. The trade is driven by global food consumption trends, regulatory requirements for preservatives, and demand from the plastics industry. Quality control, particularly regarding purity and compliance with food safety standards, is paramount in international transactions.
- Covers
- Benzoic acid
- Sodium benzoate
- Potassium benzoate
- Methyl benzoate
- Ethyl benzoate
- Butyl benzoate
- Benzyl benzoate
- Examples
- Emerald Kalama Chemical (sodium benzoate)
- BASF (benzoic acid)
- Lanxess (benzoic acid)
- DSM (sodium benzoate)
Codes often confused with 2916.31
Common mistake. This code is specific to benzoic acid and its direct salts/esters. It could be confused with other aromatic carboxylic acids under 2918 or with prepared food preservatives under 3824, but 291631 covers the pure chemical compound.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291631, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291631 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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 $170M 26% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $168M 26% of world exports
- 3 India $65M 10% of world exports
World total: $644M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $73M 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $61M 8.9% of world imports
- 3 India $47M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $680M 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 2916.31 7
Brazil splits HS 2916.31 into 7 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2916.31.10 Benzoic acidÁcido benzoico
- 2916.31.2 SaltsSais Group
- 2916.31.21 Sodium benzoateDe sódio
- 2916.31.22 Ammonium benzoateDe amônio
- 2916.31.29 Other salts of benzoic acidOutros
- 2916.31.3 EstersÉsteres Group
- 2916.31.31 Methyl benzoateDe metila
- 2916.31.32 Benzyl benzoateDe benzila
- 2916.31.39 Other esters of benzoic acidOutros
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 2916.31
What is HS code 291631?
HS code 291631 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoic acid, its salts and esters. Benzoic acid, its salts (like sodium benzoate), and esters are widely traded aromatic monocarboxylic acids with diverse industrial applications. Benzoic acid itself is a precursor to many organic compounds, while its derivatives are primarily used as preservatives in food and beverages, as well as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and plasticizers. Importers include food processing companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and chemical formulators, while major chemical producers in Asia, Europe, and North America are key exporters. The trade is driven by global food consumption trends, regulatory requirements for preservatives, and demand from the plastics industry. Quality control, particularly regarding purity and compliance with food safety standards, is paramount in international transactions.
What products fall under HS code 291631?
Benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, butyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291631?
This code is specific to benzoic acid and its direct salts/esters. It could be confused with other aromatic carboxylic acids under 2918 or with prepared food preservatives under 3824, but 291631 covers the pure chemical compound.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291631?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291631 in UN Comtrade data were China ($170M, 26% of world exports), the Netherlands ($168M) and India ($65M). World exports came to about $644M, 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 291631?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291631 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($73M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($61M) and India ($47M). World imports came to about $680M, 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 291631 structured?
HS code 291631 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291631?
Brazil splits HS code 291631 into 7 NCM codes: 2916.31.10 (Benzoic acid), 2916.31.21 (Sodium benzoate), 2916.31.22 (Ammonium benzoate), 2916.31.29 (Other salts of benzoic acid), 2916.31.31 (Methyl benzoate), 2916.31.32 (Benzyl benzoate), 2916.31.39 (Other esters of benzoic acid). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.