HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2917.37 – Acids; aromatic polycarboxylic acids; dimethyl terephthalate
HS code 2917.37 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, aromatic polycarboxylic acids, dimethyl terephthalate. It is used for dimethyl terephthalate flakes, DMT for PET, DMT for polyester fibers, DMT for specialty polyesters and DMT for films.
What HS 2917.37 covers
Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is an ester primarily used in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and polyester fibers. While purified terephthalic acid (PTA) has largely replaced DMT in new PET plants due to process efficiencies, DMT still holds importance in older facilities and for specific specialty polyester applications. Countries with established textile industries and older PET production facilities are key importers, often in regions like Southeast Asia and parts of Europe. Exporters are typically chemical manufacturers with integrated petrochemical complexes. Trade considerations include its solid flake form, purity specifications, and competition with PTA. Its demand is linked to the global textile and packaging sectors, though its market share has diminished over time, making it a more niche product in modern trade.
- Covers
- Dimethyl terephthalate flakes
- DMT for PET
- DMT for polyester fibers
- DMT for specialty polyesters
- DMT for films
- DMT for engineering plastics
- Examples
- Eastman DMT
- Mitsubishi Chemical DMT
- Sinopec DMT
- Reliance Industries DMT
- Indorama Ventures DMT
Codes often confused with 2917.37
Common mistake. Often confused with 291736 (terephthalic acid and its salts) as it's a derivative, or with 291734 (other esters of orthophthalic acids) if the specific "dimethyl terephthalate" identity is not clearly stated.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291737, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291737 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 60% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Luxembourg, 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 South Korea $78M 60% of world exports
- 2 Germany $30M 23% of world exports
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$8.6M 6.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $129M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Luxembourg $32M 23% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $31M 22% of world imports
- 3 China $26M 19% of world imports
World total: $138M 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 2917.37
Brazil does not split HS 2917.37: its NCM code is 2917.37.00.
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 2917.37
What is HS code 291737?
HS code 291737 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; aromatic polycarboxylic acids; dimethyl terephthalate. Dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) is an ester primarily used in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and polyester fibers. While purified terephthalic acid (PTA) has largely replaced DMT in new PET plants due to process efficiencies, DMT still holds importance in older facilities and for specific specialty polyester applications. Countries with established textile industries and older PET production facilities are key importers, often in regions like Southeast Asia and parts of Europe. Exporters are typically chemical manufacturers with integrated petrochemical complexes. Trade considerations include its solid flake form, purity specifications, and competition with PTA. Its demand is linked to the global textile and packaging sectors, though its market share has diminished over time, making it a more niche product in modern trade.
What products fall under HS code 291737?
Dimethyl terephthalate flakes, DMT for PET, DMT for polyester fibers, DMT for specialty polyesters, DMT for films, DMT for engineering plastics
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291737?
Often confused with 291736 (terephthalic acid and its salts) as it's a derivative, or with 291734 (other esters of orthophthalic acids) if the specific "dimethyl terephthalate" identity is not clearly stated.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291737?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291737 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($78M, 60% of world exports), Germany ($30M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $8.6M). World exports came to about $129M, 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 291737?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291737 in UN Comtrade data were Luxembourg ($32M, 23% of world imports), the Netherlands ($31M) and China ($26M). World imports came to about $138M, 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 291737 structured?
HS code 291737 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 (37) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291737?
In Brazil, HS code 291737 is NCM 2917.37.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.