HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2918.14 – Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), citric acid
HS code 2918.14 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), citric acid. It is used for citric acid anhydrous, citric acid monohydrate, citric acid for food, citric acid for beverages and citric acid for pharmaceuticals.
What HS 2918.14 covers
Citric acid is a widely used natural organic acid, with substantial international trade driven by its extensive applications. It is primarily known for its role as an acidulant, flavoring agent, and preservative in the food and beverage industry, but also finds significant use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and cleaning products due to its chelating properties. Major importers include countries with large food and beverage manufacturing sectors, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan. Exporters are typically large-scale fermentation producers, predominantly from China. Key trade considerations include its various forms (anhydrous, monohydrate), purity grades (food, pharmaceutical), and its competitive pricing, often influenced by corn prices (as a feedstock). Its global demand is robust and consistently growing.
- Covers
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Citric acid monohydrate
- Citric acid for food
- Citric acid for beverages
- Citric acid for pharmaceuticals
- Citric acid for detergents
- Citric acid for cosmetics
- Examples
- Jungbunzlauer Citric Acid
- ADM Citric Acid
- Cargill Citric Acid
- Weifang Ensign Industry Citric Acid
- Gadot Biochemical Industries Citric Acid
Codes often confused with 2918.14
Common mistake. Can be confused with 291812 (tartaric acid) or 291811 (lactic acid) due to similar applications as food acidulants, or with 291815 (salts and esters of citric acid) if the specific acid form is not distinguished.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291814, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291814 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 55% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 $830M 55% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $144M 9.6% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $95M 6.3% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $370M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $186M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 India $99M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 2918.14
Brazil does not split HS 2918.14: its NCM code is 2918.14.00.
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 2918.14
What is HS code 291814?
HS code 291814 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), citric acid. Citric acid is a widely used natural organic acid, with substantial international trade driven by its extensive applications. It is primarily known for its role as an acidulant, flavoring agent, and preservative in the food and beverage industry, but also finds significant use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and cleaning products due to its chelating properties. Major importers include countries with large food and beverage manufacturing sectors, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan. Exporters are typically large-scale fermentation producers, predominantly from China. Key trade considerations include its various forms (anhydrous, monohydrate), purity grades (food, pharmaceutical), and its competitive pricing, often influenced by corn prices (as a feedstock). Its global demand is robust and consistently growing.
What products fall under HS code 291814?
Citric acid anhydrous, Citric acid monohydrate, Citric acid for food, Citric acid for beverages, Citric acid for pharmaceuticals, Citric acid for detergents, Citric acid for cosmetics
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291814?
Can be confused with 291812 (tartaric acid) or 291811 (lactic acid) due to similar applications as food acidulants, or with 291815 (salts and esters of citric acid) if the specific acid form is not distinguished.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291814?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291814 in UN Comtrade data were China ($830M, 55% of world exports), Thailand ($144M) and Belgium ($95M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 291814?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291814 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($370M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($186M) and India ($99M). World imports 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.
How is HS code 291814 structured?
HS code 291814 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 (14) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291814?
In Brazil, HS code 291814 is NCM 2918.14.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.