HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2918.16 – Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), gluconic acid, its salts and esters
HS code 2918.16 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), gluconic acid, its salts and esters. It is used for gluconic acid, sodium gluconate, calcium gluconate, ferrous gluconate and glucono-delta-lactone (GDL).
What HS 2918.16 covers
This HS code covers gluconic acid, a carboxylic acid with an alcohol function, along with its salts and esters. These compounds are widely traded in international markets due to their versatile applications across various industries. Gluconic acid and its derivatives are primarily used as chelating agents, acidulants, and sequestrants in food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, and industrial cleaning. Key importers and exporters include specialized chemical manufacturers, food processing companies, pharmaceutical firms, and water treatment chemical suppliers. Important considerations in trade involve ensuring high purity for food and pharmaceutical grades, compliance with food safety regulations (e.g., GRAS status), and the specific functional properties required for different industrial applications. The market is driven by demand for natural and biodegradable alternatives in many sectors.
- Covers
- Gluconic acid
- Sodium gluconate
- Calcium gluconate
- Ferrous gluconate
- Glucono-delta-lactone (GDL)
- Potassium gluconate
- Zinc gluconate
- Examples
- Jungbunzlauer (gluconates)
- PMP Fermentation Products (gluconic acid)
- Roquette (gluconates)
Codes often confused with 2918.16
Common mistake. This code can be confused with other organic acids in 2918.19 if the specific identity as gluconic acid or its derivatives is not clearly established, or with general organic chemicals in Chapter 29 if the specific functional groups are overlooked.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291816, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291816 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 60% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 12% 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 $177M 60% of world exports
- 2 India $30M 10% of world exports
- 3 France $29M 9.7% of world exports
World total: $296M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $43M 12% of world imports
- 2 Portugal $25M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $19M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $351M 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 codes for 2918.16 2
Brazil splits HS 2918.16 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2918.16.10 Calcium gluconateGluconato de cálcio
- 2918.16.90 Other gluconic acid, its salts and estersOutros
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 2918.16
What is HS code 291816?
HS code 291816 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), gluconic acid, its salts and esters. This HS code covers gluconic acid, a carboxylic acid with an alcohol function, along with its salts and esters. These compounds are widely traded in international markets due to their versatile applications across various industries. Gluconic acid and its derivatives are primarily used as chelating agents, acidulants, and sequestrants in food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, and industrial cleaning. Key importers and exporters include specialized chemical manufacturers, food processing companies, pharmaceutical firms, and water treatment chemical suppliers. Important considerations in trade involve ensuring high purity for food and pharmaceutical grades, compliance with food safety regulations (e.g., GRAS status), and the specific functional properties required for different industrial applications. The market is driven by demand for natural and biodegradable alternatives in many sectors.
What products fall under HS code 291816?
Gluconic acid, Sodium gluconate, Calcium gluconate, Ferrous gluconate, Glucono-delta-lactone (GDL), Potassium gluconate, Zinc gluconate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291816?
This code can be confused with other organic acids in 2918.19 if the specific identity as gluconic acid or its derivatives is not clearly established, or with general organic chemicals in Chapter 29 if the specific functional groups are overlooked.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291816?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291816 in UN Comtrade data were China ($177M, 60% of world exports), India ($30M) and France ($29M). World exports came to about $296M, 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 291816?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291816 in UN Comtrade data were India ($43M, 12% of world imports), Portugal ($25M) and the United States ($19M). World imports came to about $351M, 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 291816 structured?
HS code 291816 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 (16) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291816?
Brazil splits HS code 291816 into 2 NCM codes: 2918.16.10 (Calcium gluconate), 2918.16.90 (Other gluconic acid, its salts and esters). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.