HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2917.39 – Acids; aromatic polycarboxylic acids; n.e.c. in item no. 2917.3
HS code 2917.39 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, aromatic polycarboxylic acids, n.e.c. in item no. 2917.3. It is used for isophthalic acid, trimellitic anhydride, pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and naphthalene dicarboxylic acid.
What HS 2917.39 covers
This "not elsewhere specified" category covers a diverse range of aromatic polycarboxylic acids and their derivatives that do not fit into the more specific subheadings of 2917.3. These chemicals serve various niche applications as intermediates in the synthesis of polymers, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and specialty chemicals. Trade in these products is often characterized by smaller volumes compared to bulk chemicals like PTA or phthalic anhydride, but with higher value due to their specialized nature. Importers are typically specialized chemical manufacturers, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies across developed and developing economies. Exporters are often fine chemical producers. Key aspects include high purity requirements, specific structural isomers, and compliance with diverse regulatory frameworks depending on their end-use, making detailed product identification crucial.
- Covers
- Isophthalic acid
- Trimellitic anhydride
- Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA)
- Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid
- Naphthalene dicarboxylic acid
- Mellitic acid
- Hemimellitic acid
- Examples
- Sigma-Aldrich Isophthalic Acid
- TCI Trimellitic Anhydride
- Merck Pyromellitic Dianhydride
- BASF Naphthalene Dicarboxylic Acid
- Alfa Aesar Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid
Codes often confused with 2917.39
Common mistake. This code is a catch-all, so misclassification often occurs when a specific aromatic polycarboxylic acid *should* be classified under a more precise heading like 291734, 291735, 291736, or 291737, but is mistakenly placed here due to lack of detailed identification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291739, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291739 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 $588M 28% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$220M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Spain $171M 8.2% of world exports
World total: $2.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $297M 13% of world imports
- 2 China $287M 12% of world imports
- 3 Italy $172M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $2.4B 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 2917.39 8
Brazil splits HS 2917.39 into 8 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2917.39.1 m-Phthalic acid, its salts and estersÁcido m-ftálico, seus sais e seus ésteres Group
- 2917.39.11 Esters of m-phthalic acidÉsteres
- 2917.39.19 m-Phthalic acid and its saltsOutros
- 2917.39.20 Orthophthalic acid and its saltsÁcido ortoftálico e seus sais
- 2917.39.3 Other esters of terephthalic acidOutros ésteres do ácido tereftálico Group
- 2917.39.31 Dioctyl terephthalateDe dioctila
- 2917.39.39 Other esters of terephthalic acidOutros
- 2917.39.40 Trimellitic acid salts and estersSais e ésteres do ácido trimelítico (sais e ésteres do ácido 1,2,4-benzenotricarboxílico)
- 2917.39.50 Trimellitic anhydrideAnidrido trimelítico (ácido 1,3-dioxo-5-isobenzofuranocarboxílico)
- 2917.39.90 Other aromatic polycarboxylic acidsOutros
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 2917.39
What is HS code 291739?
HS code 291739 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; aromatic polycarboxylic acids; n.e.c. in item no. 2917.3. This "not elsewhere specified" category covers a diverse range of aromatic polycarboxylic acids and their derivatives that do not fit into the more specific subheadings of 2917.3. These chemicals serve various niche applications as intermediates in the synthesis of polymers, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and specialty chemicals. Trade in these products is often characterized by smaller volumes compared to bulk chemicals like PTA or phthalic anhydride, but with higher value due to their specialized nature. Importers are typically specialized chemical manufacturers, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies across developed and developing economies. Exporters are often fine chemical producers. Key aspects include high purity requirements, specific structural isomers, and compliance with diverse regulatory frameworks depending on their end-use, making detailed product identification crucial.
What products fall under HS code 291739?
Isophthalic acid, Trimellitic anhydride, Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), Benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, Naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, Mellitic acid, Hemimellitic acid
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291739?
This code is a catch-all, so misclassification often occurs when a specific aromatic polycarboxylic acid *should* be classified under a more precise heading like 291734, 291735, 291736, or 291737, but is mistakenly placed here due to lack of detailed identification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291739?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291739 in UN Comtrade data were China ($588M, 28% of world exports), Taiwan (about $220M) and Spain ($171M). World exports came to about $2.1B, 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 291739?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291739 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($297M, 13% of world imports), China ($287M) and Italy ($172M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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 291739 structured?
HS code 291739 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 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291739?
Brazil splits HS code 291739 into 8 NCM codes: 2917.39.11 (Esters of m-phthalic acid), 2917.39.19 (m-Phthalic acid and its salts), 2917.39.20 (Orthophthalic acid and its salts), 2917.39.31 (Dioctyl terephthalate), 2917.39.39 (Other esters of terephthalic acid), 2917.39.40 (Trimellitic acid salts and esters), 2917.39.50 (Trimellitic anhydride), 2917.39.90 (Other aromatic polycarboxylic acids). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.