HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2918.19 – Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), other than lactic, tartaric, citric, and gluconic acids and their salts and esters
HS code 2918.19 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), other than lactic, tartaric, citric, and gluconic acids and their salts and esters. It is used for glycolic acid, malic acid, mandelic acid, pantothenic acid and isocitric acid.
What HS 2918.19 covers
This 'basket' HS code encompasses a broad category of carboxylic acids with an alcohol function, excluding the more commonly specified lactic, tartaric, citric, and gluconic acids and their derivatives. These 'other' compounds are vital intermediates in the chemical industry, serving diverse applications in pharmaceuticals, polymers, specialty chemicals, and fragrances. International trade involves a wide array of fine chemical manufacturers, research institutions, and companies specializing in custom organic synthesis. Key aspects for trade include the diverse chemical structures and properties of these compounds, varying purity requirements depending on their end-use, and the often niche, high-value markets they serve as specialized organic building blocks for complex molecules. This code captures a significant portion of specialized organic acid trade.
- Covers
- Glycolic acid
- Malic acid
- Mandelic acid
- Pantothenic acid
- Isocitric acid
- Hydroxybutyric acid
- Benzilic acid (if not 291817)
- Chlorobenzilate (if not 291818)
- Examples
- DuPont (glycolic acid)
- Evonik (specialty chemicals)
- BASF (intermediates)
Codes often confused with 2918.19
Common mistake. This code is a common catch-all, leading to potential misclassification with other specific organic acids (e.g., 2918.11 for lactic acid) or even general organic chemicals in Chapter 29 if the exact chemical identity is not precisely confirmed.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 291819, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291819 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 $336M 23% of world exports
- 2 Italy $223M 15% of world exports
- 3 India $151M 10% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $180M 13% of world imports
- 2 Italy $136M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 India $120M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 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 2918.19 8
Brazil splits HS 2918.19 into 8 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2918.19.10 BromopropylateBromopropilato
- 2918.19.2 Bile acids, their salts and esters; derivatives of these productsÁcidos biliares, seus sais e seus ésteres; derivados destes produtos Group
- 2918.19.21 Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid)Ursodiol (ácido ursodeoxicólico)
- 2918.19.22 Chenodeoxycholic acidÁcido quenodeoxicólico
- 2918.19.29 Other bile acids, salts, esters and derivativesOutros
- 2918.19.30 12-Hydroxystearic acidÁcido 12-hidroxiesteárico
- 2918.19.4 Salts and esters of 2,2-diphenyl-2-hydroxyacetic acid (benzilic acid)Sais e ésteres do ácido 2,2-difenil-2-hidroxiacético (ácido benzílico) Group
- 2918.19.42 Salts of benzilic acidSais
- 2918.19.43 Esters of benzilic acidÉsteres
- 2918.19.90 Other alcohol-function carboxylic acidsOutros
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 2918.19
What is HS code 291819?
HS code 291819 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), other than lactic, tartaric, citric, and gluconic acids and their salts and esters. This 'basket' HS code encompasses a broad category of carboxylic acids with an alcohol function, excluding the more commonly specified lactic, tartaric, citric, and gluconic acids and their derivatives. These 'other' compounds are vital intermediates in the chemical industry, serving diverse applications in pharmaceuticals, polymers, specialty chemicals, and fragrances. International trade involves a wide array of fine chemical manufacturers, research institutions, and companies specializing in custom organic synthesis. Key aspects for trade include the diverse chemical structures and properties of these compounds, varying purity requirements depending on their end-use, and the often niche, high-value markets they serve as specialized organic building blocks for complex molecules. This code captures a significant portion of specialized organic acid trade.
What products fall under HS code 291819?
Glycolic acid, Malic acid, Mandelic acid, Pantothenic acid, Isocitric acid, Hydroxybutyric acid, Benzilic acid (if not 291817), Chlorobenzilate (if not 291818)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 291819?
This code is a common catch-all, leading to potential misclassification with other specific organic acids (e.g., 2918.11 for lactic acid) or even general organic chemicals in Chapter 29 if the exact chemical identity is not precisely confirmed.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291819?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291819 in UN Comtrade data were China ($336M, 23% of world exports), Italy ($223M) and India ($151M). 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 291819?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291819 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($180M, 13% of world imports), Italy ($136M) and India ($120M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 291819 structured?
HS code 291819 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 (19) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291819?
Brazil splits HS code 291819 into 8 NCM codes: 2918.19.10 (Bromopropylate), 2918.19.21 (Ursodiol (ursodeoxycholic acid)), 2918.19.22 (Chenodeoxycholic acid), 2918.19.29 (Other bile acids, salts, esters and derivatives), 2918.19.30 (12-Hydroxystearic acid), 2918.19.42 (Salts of benzilic acid), 2918.19.43 (Esters of benzilic acid), 2918.19.90 (Other alcohol-function carboxylic acids). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.