HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2916.39 – Acids; aromatic monocarboxylic acids, and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids and their derivatives, other than benzoic acid, its salts and esters, benzoyl peroxide and benzoyl chloride, phenylacetic acid and its salts
HS code 2916.39 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, aromatic monocarboxylic acids, and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids and their derivatives, other than benzoic acid, its salts and esters, benzoyl peroxide and benzoyl chloride, phenylacetic acid and its salts. It is used for cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, mandelic acid, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid and 3-Phenylpropionic acid.
What HS 2916.39 covers
This HS code serves as a catch-all for a diverse range of aromatic monocarboxylic acids and their derivatives, excluding specific, more commonly traded compounds like benzoic acid and phenylacetic acid, which have their own dedicated codes. It encompasses a broad spectrum of organic chemicals vital for various industrial applications, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes, and polymers. Countries with advanced chemical synthesis capabilities, such as Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the USA, are often key exporters, while developing nations with growing manufacturing sectors are significant importers, seeking these intermediates for their production processes. Understanding the specific chemical identity within this broad category is crucial for trade, as applications and regulatory requirements can vary widely. The trade in these "other" aromatic acids often involves specialized chemical distributors and manufacturers, dealing with smaller volumes of high-value compounds compared to bulk commodities.
- Covers
- Cinnamic acid
- Salicylic acid
- Mandelic acid
- 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid
- 3-Phenylpropionic acid
- 2-Naphthoic acid
- Anisic acid
- Vanillic acid
- Examples
- Alfa Aesar Cinnamic Acid
- Acros Organics Salicylic Acid
- TCI Mandelic Acid
- Sigma-Aldrich 4-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
Codes often confused with 2916.39
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 291631 (benzoic acid) or 291634 (phenylacetic acid) if the specific exclusions are overlooked, or with 291829 (other carboxylic acids with alcohol function) if the aromatic nature is not correctly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291639, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291639 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, 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 China $321M 49% of world exports
- 2 India $101M 16% of world exports
- 3 Germany $75M 11% of world exports
World total: $650M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $103M 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $98M 14% of world imports
- 3 Germany $56M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $713M 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 2916.39 5
Brazil splits HS 2916.39 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2916.39.10 4-Chloro-alpha-isopropylphenylacetyl chlorideCloreto de 4-cloro-alfa-(1-metiletil)benzenoacetila
- 2916.39.20 IbuprofenIbuprofeno
- 2916.39.30 4-Chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acidÁcido 4-cloro-3-nitrobenzoico
- 2916.39.40 tert-Butyl perbenzoatePerbenzoato de ter-butila
- 2916.39.90 Other aromatic monocarboxylic acidsOutros
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 2916.39
What is HS code 291639?
HS code 291639 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; aromatic monocarboxylic acids, and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids and their derivatives, other than benzoic acid, its salts and esters, benzoyl peroxide and benzoyl chloride, phenylacetic acid and its salts. This HS code serves as a catch-all for a diverse range of aromatic monocarboxylic acids and their derivatives, excluding specific, more commonly traded compounds like benzoic acid and phenylacetic acid, which have their own dedicated codes. It encompasses a broad spectrum of organic chemicals vital for various industrial applications, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes, and polymers. Countries with advanced chemical synthesis capabilities, such as Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the USA, are often key exporters, while developing nations with growing manufacturing sectors are significant importers, seeking these intermediates for their production processes. Understanding the specific chemical identity within this broad category is crucial for trade, as applications and regulatory requirements can vary widely. The trade in these "other" aromatic acids often involves specialized chemical distributors and manufacturers, dealing with smaller volumes of high-value compounds compared to bulk commodities.
What products fall under HS code 291639?
Cinnamic acid, Salicylic acid, Mandelic acid, 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-Phenylpropionic acid, 2-Naphthoic acid, Anisic acid, Vanillic acid
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291639?
This code is often confused with 291631 (benzoic acid) or 291634 (phenylacetic acid) if the specific exclusions are overlooked, or with 291829 (other carboxylic acids with alcohol function) if the aromatic nature is not correctly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291639?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291639 in UN Comtrade data were China ($321M, 49% of world exports), India ($101M) and Germany ($75M). World exports came to about $650M, 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 291639?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291639 in UN Comtrade data were India ($103M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($98M) and Germany ($56M). World imports came to about $713M, 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 291639 structured?
HS code 291639 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 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291639?
Brazil splits HS code 291639 into 5 NCM codes: 2916.39.10 (4-Chloro-alpha-isopropylphenylacetyl chloride), 2916.39.20 (Ibuprofen), 2916.39.30 (4-Chloro-3-nitrobenzoic acid), 2916.39.40 (tert-Butyl perbenzoate), 2916.39.90 (Other aromatic monocarboxylic acids). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.