HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2917.36 – Acids; aromatic polycarboxylic acids; terephthalic acid and its salts
HS code 2917.36 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, aromatic polycarboxylic acids, terephthalic acid and its salts. It is used for purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), sodium terephthalate, potassium terephthalate, calcium terephthalate and magnesium terephthalate.
What HS 2917.36 covers
Terephthalic acid (TPA) and its salts are fundamental building blocks in the chemical industry, with international trade dominated by purified terephthalic acid (PTA). PTA is overwhelmingly used in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, which is essential for plastic bottles, polyester fibers for textiles, and packaging films. Major importers are countries with large textile and beverage industries, such as China, India, and various Southeast Asian nations. Exporters are typically large-scale petrochemical producers, often in Asia and the Middle East. Key factors influencing trade include global demand for PET products, crude oil prices affecting production costs, and the critical importance of high purity for end-use applications. Its market is highly integrated with the global plastics and textile value chains.
- Covers
- Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA)
- Sodium terephthalate
- Potassium terephthalate
- Calcium terephthalate
- Magnesium terephthalate
- TPA for PET
- TPA for polyester fibers
- Examples
- Indorama Ventures PTA
- Reliance Industries PTA
- BP Amoco PTA
- Sinopec PTA
- Eastman TPA
Codes often confused with 2917.36
Common mistake. Can be confused with 291737 (dimethyl terephthalate), which is an ester of TPA, or with 291739 (other aromatic polycarboxylic acids, n.e.c.) if the specific "terephthalic acid" identity is not recognized.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291736, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291736 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 23% 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 $2.3B 40% of world exports
- 2 South Korea $1.3B 22% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $669M 12% of world exports
World total: $5.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $1.4B 23% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $1.1B 18% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$439M 7.1% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $6.2B 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 code for 2917.36
Brazil does not split HS 2917.36: its NCM code is 2917.36.00.
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 2917.36
What is HS code 291736?
HS code 291736 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; aromatic polycarboxylic acids; terephthalic acid and its salts. Terephthalic acid (TPA) and its salts are fundamental building blocks in the chemical industry, with international trade dominated by purified terephthalic acid (PTA). PTA is overwhelmingly used in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, which is essential for plastic bottles, polyester fibers for textiles, and packaging films. Major importers are countries with large textile and beverage industries, such as China, India, and various Southeast Asian nations. Exporters are typically large-scale petrochemical producers, often in Asia and the Middle East. Key factors influencing trade include global demand for PET products, crude oil prices affecting production costs, and the critical importance of high purity for end-use applications. Its market is highly integrated with the global plastics and textile value chains.
What products fall under HS code 291736?
Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), Sodium terephthalate, Potassium terephthalate, Calcium terephthalate, Magnesium terephthalate, TPA for PET, TPA for polyester fibers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291736?
Can be confused with 291737 (dimethyl terephthalate), which is an ester of TPA, or with 291739 (other aromatic polycarboxylic acids, n.e.c.) if the specific "terephthalic acid" identity is not recognized.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291736?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291736 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.3B, 40% of world exports), South Korea ($1.3B) and Thailand ($669M). World exports came to about $5.8B, 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 291736?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291736 in UN Comtrade data were India ($1.4B, 23% of world imports), Türkiye ($1.1B) and Vietnam (about $439M). World imports came to about $6.2B, 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 291736 structured?
HS code 291736 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 (36) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291736?
In Brazil, HS code 291736 is NCM 2917.36.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.