HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2918.22 – Acids; carboxylic acids, (with phenol function but without other oxygen function), o-acetylsalicylic acid, its salts and esters

HS code 2918.22 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, carboxylic acids, (with phenol function but without other oxygen function), o-acetylsalicylic acid, its salts and esters. It is used for O-acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) API, aspirin powder, aspirin granules, aspirin tablets (bulk) and aspirin esters.

What HS 2918.22 covers

This specific HS code is dedicated to o-acetylsalicylic acid, universally recognized as Aspirin, along with its salts and esters. Aspirin is one of the most widely consumed pharmaceuticals globally, prized for its analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (fever-reducing), and antiplatelet (blood-thinning) properties. Its international trade involves major pharmaceutical corporations, generic drug manufacturers, and distributors across the world. Key aspects for trade include adherence to stringent pharmaceutical quality standards (e.g., USP, EP), compliance with drug manufacturing regulations, and managing the high volume of global demand for this essential medicine. It represents a cornerstone of modern medicine with a well-established and robust global supply chain.

Covers
  • O-acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) API
  • Aspirin powder
  • Aspirin granules
  • Aspirin tablets (bulk)
  • Aspirin esters
Examples

Bayer Aspirin, St. Joseph Aspirin, generic Aspirin brands (e.g., Kirkland Signature)

Codes often confused with 2918.22

Common mistake. While highly specific, it could be confused with salicylic acid (2918.21) if the 'acetyl' group is missed, or with finished pharmaceutical preparations in Chapter 30 if traded in packaged dosage forms.

2918.21Acids; carboxylic acids, (with phenol function but without other oxygen function), salicylic acid and its salts

Top exporters and importers of HS code 291822, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291822 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% 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. 1 China $20M
  2. 2 Spain $17M
  3. 3 Thailand $7.1M

World total: $54M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $13M
  2. 2 Italy $6.1M
  3. 3 Germany $5.5M

World total: $62M 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 2918.22 4

Brazil splits HS 2918.22 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2918.22.1 o-Acetylsalicylic acid and its saltsÁcido o-acetilsalicílico e seus sais Group
  2. 2918.22.11 o-Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)Ácido o-acetilsalicílico
  3. 2918.22.12 Aluminium o-acetylsalicylateo-Acetilsalicilato de alumínio
  4. 2918.22.19 Other salts of o-acetylsalicylic acidOutros
  5. 2918.22.20 Esters of o-acetylsalicylic acidÉsteres

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 2918.22

What is HS code 291822?

HS code 291822 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; carboxylic acids, (with phenol function but without other oxygen function), o-acetylsalicylic acid, its salts and esters. This specific HS code is dedicated to o-acetylsalicylic acid, universally recognized as Aspirin, along with its salts and esters. Aspirin is one of the most widely consumed pharmaceuticals globally, prized for its analgesic (pain-relieving), anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (fever-reducing), and antiplatelet (blood-thinning) properties. Its international trade involves major pharmaceutical corporations, generic drug manufacturers, and distributors across the world. Key aspects for trade include adherence to stringent pharmaceutical quality standards (e.g., USP, EP), compliance with drug manufacturing regulations, and managing the high volume of global demand for this essential medicine. It represents a cornerstone of modern medicine with a well-established and robust global supply chain.

What products fall under HS code 291822?

O-acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) API, Aspirin powder, Aspirin granules, Aspirin tablets (bulk), Aspirin esters

What are common misclassifications for HS code 291822?

While highly specific, it could be confused with salicylic acid (2918.21) if the 'acetyl' group is missed, or with finished pharmaceutical preparations in Chapter 30 if traded in packaged dosage forms.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291822?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291822 in UN Comtrade data were China ($20M, 37% of world exports), Spain ($17M) and Thailand ($7.1M). World exports came to about $54M, 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 291822?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291822 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($13M, 21% of world imports), Italy ($6.1M) and Germany ($5.5M). World imports came to about $62M, 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 291822 structured?

HS code 291822 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 (22) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291822?

Brazil splits HS code 291822 into 4 NCM codes: 2918.22.11 (o-Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)), 2918.22.12 (Aluminium o-acetylsalicylate), 2918.22.19 (Other salts of o-acetylsalicylic acid), 2918.22.20 (Esters of o-acetylsalicylic acid). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.