HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2918.11 – Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters
HS code 2918.11 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters. It is used for L-Lactic acid, D-Lactic acid, DL-Lactic acid, sodium lactate and calcium lactate.
What HS 2918.11 covers
Lactic acid, its salts, and esters are versatile organic compounds with significant applications across multiple industries. They are widely used in food and beverages as an acidulant and preservative, in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and increasingly in the production of biodegradable plastics (polylactic acid, PLA). International trade is driven by the growing demand for natural, sustainable, and functional ingredients. Major importers include countries with large food processing, pharmaceutical, and bioplastics industries, such as the USA, China, and European nations. Exporters are often countries with strong biochemical production capabilities, particularly in Asia. Key considerations include different grades (food, pharmaceutical, industrial), optical purity (L-lactic acid vs. D-lactic acid), and the shift towards bio-based production methods, impacting sourcing and market dynamics.
- Covers
- L-Lactic acid
- D-Lactic acid
- DL-Lactic acid
- Sodium lactate
- Calcium lactate
- Ethyl lactate
- Methyl lactate
- Polylactic acid (PLA) monomer
- Examples
- Corbion Lactic Acid
- Galactic Lactic Acid
- NatureWorks Ingeo (PLA)
- Purac Lactic Acid
- Jungbunzlauer Sodium Lactate
Codes often confused with 2918.11
Common mistake. Can be confused with other carboxylic acids like 291814 (citric acid) if the specific alcohol function is overlooked, or with 382499 (chemical products n.e.c.) if it's part of a formulated mixture.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291811, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291811 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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 $141M 21% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $132M 19% of world exports
- 3 Spain $87M 13% of world exports
World total: $688M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $89M 11% of world imports
- 2 Spain $79M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 Germany $60M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $813M 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 code for 2918.11
Brazil does not split HS 2918.11: its NCM code is 2918.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.18 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2918.11
What is HS code 291811?
HS code 291811 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters. Lactic acid, its salts, and esters are versatile organic compounds with significant applications across multiple industries. They are widely used in food and beverages as an acidulant and preservative, in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and increasingly in the production of biodegradable plastics (polylactic acid, PLA). International trade is driven by the growing demand for natural, sustainable, and functional ingredients. Major importers include countries with large food processing, pharmaceutical, and bioplastics industries, such as the USA, China, and European nations. Exporters are often countries with strong biochemical production capabilities, particularly in Asia. Key considerations include different grades (food, pharmaceutical, industrial), optical purity (L-lactic acid vs. D-lactic acid), and the shift towards bio-based production methods, impacting sourcing and market dynamics.
What products fall under HS code 291811?
L-Lactic acid, D-Lactic acid, DL-Lactic acid, Sodium lactate, Calcium lactate, Ethyl lactate, Methyl lactate, Polylactic acid (PLA) monomer
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291811?
Can be confused with other carboxylic acids like 291814 (citric acid) if the specific alcohol function is overlooked, or with 382499 (chemical products n.e.c.) if it's part of a formulated mixture.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291811?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291811 in UN Comtrade data were China ($141M, 21% of world exports), Thailand ($132M) and Spain ($87M). World exports came to about $688M, 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 291811?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291811 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($89M, 11% of world imports), Spain ($79M) and Germany ($60M). World imports came to about $813M, 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 291811 structured?
HS code 291811 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (18) 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 291811?
In Brazil, HS code 291811 is NCM 2918.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.