HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2917.11 – Acids; acyclic polycarboxylic acids; oxalic acid, its salts and esters

HS code 2917.11 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, acyclic polycarboxylic acids, oxalic acid, its salts and esters. It is used for oxalic acid dihydrate, sodium oxalate, potassium oxalate, ammonium oxalate and dimethyl oxalate.

What HS 2917.11 covers

Oxalic acid, along with its salts and esters, represents a significant commodity in the global chemical trade, primarily due to its strong reducing properties and chelating abilities. This HS code specifically covers these compounds, which find extensive use in cleaning agents, rust removers, textile dyeing, metal treatment, and as a bleaching agent. Major importers include countries with large industrial sectors, particularly those involved in manufacturing, cleaning product formulation, and rare earth element processing. Exporters are typically large-scale chemical producers, often from regions with access to raw materials or efficient synthesis processes. Key considerations in its trade include purity levels, packaging for safe handling (as it's corrosive), and compliance with environmental regulations regarding its disposal. The market for oxalic acid is relatively mature, with stable demand driven by its diverse industrial applications.

Covers
  • Oxalic acid dihydrate
  • Sodium oxalate
  • Potassium oxalate
  • Ammonium oxalate
  • Dimethyl oxalate
  • Diethyl oxalate
  • Calcium oxalate
Examples
  • BASF Oxalic Acid
  • Merck KGaA Oxalic Acid
  • Sigma-Aldrich Oxalic Acid
  • Shandong Fengyuan Chemical Oxalic Acid

Codes often confused with 2917.11

Common mistake. This code might be confused with other acyclic polycarboxylic acids under 291719 if the specific identification of "oxalic acid" is missed, or with 291819 (other carboxylic acids with alcohol function) if its specific structure is not recognized.

2917.19Acids; acyclic polycarboxylic acids; n.e.c. in item no. 2917.12918.19Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), other than lactic, tartaric, citric, and gluconic acids and their salts and esters

Top exporters and importers of HS code 291711, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291711 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 76% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 9.4% 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. 1 China $151M
  2. 2 India $13M
  3. 3 South Korea $7.3M

World total: $198M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Peru* ~$17M
  2. 2 Laos* ~$14M
  3. 3 Switzerland $12M

World total: $177M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 2917.11 2

Brazil splits HS 2917.11 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2917.11.10 Oxalic acid and its saltsÁcido oxálico e seus sais
  2. 2917.11.20 Esters of oxalic acidÉsteres

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.17 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 2917.11

What is HS code 291711?

HS code 291711 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; acyclic polycarboxylic acids; oxalic acid, its salts and esters. Oxalic acid, along with its salts and esters, represents a significant commodity in the global chemical trade, primarily due to its strong reducing properties and chelating abilities. This HS code specifically covers these compounds, which find extensive use in cleaning agents, rust removers, textile dyeing, metal treatment, and as a bleaching agent. Major importers include countries with large industrial sectors, particularly those involved in manufacturing, cleaning product formulation, and rare earth element processing. Exporters are typically large-scale chemical producers, often from regions with access to raw materials or efficient synthesis processes. Key considerations in its trade include purity levels, packaging for safe handling (as it's corrosive), and compliance with environmental regulations regarding its disposal. The market for oxalic acid is relatively mature, with stable demand driven by its diverse industrial applications.

What products fall under HS code 291711?

Oxalic acid dihydrate, Sodium oxalate, Potassium oxalate, Ammonium oxalate, Dimethyl oxalate, Diethyl oxalate, Calcium oxalate

What are common misclassifications for HS code 291711?

This code might be confused with other acyclic polycarboxylic acids under 291719 if the specific identification of "oxalic acid" is missed, or with 291819 (other carboxylic acids with alcohol function) if its specific structure is not recognized.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291711?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291711 in UN Comtrade data were China ($151M, 76% of world exports), India ($13M) and South Korea ($7.3M). World exports came to about $198M, 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 291711?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291711 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $17M, 9.4% of world imports), Laos (about $14M) and Switzerland ($12M). World imports came to about $177M, 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 291711 structured?

HS code 291711 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (17) 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 291711?

Brazil splits HS code 291711 into 2 NCM codes: 2917.11.10 (Oxalic acid and its salts), 2917.11.20 (Esters of oxalic acid). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.