HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2918.91 – Acids; carboxylic acids, with additional oxygen function (not alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone) and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids; 2,4,5-T (ISO) (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid), its salts and esters

HS code 2918.91 is the 6-digit subheading for acids, carboxylic acids, with additional oxygen function (not alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone) and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids, 2,4,5-T (ISO) (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid), its salts and esters. It is used for 2,4,5-T acid, 2,4,5-T sodium salt, 2,4,5-T esters (e.g., butyl ester) and 2,4,5-T formulations (historical).

What HS 2918.91 covers

This specific HS code is dedicated to 2,4,5-T (ISO), also known as 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and its salts and esters. Historically, 2,4,5-T was a widely used synthetic auxin herbicide for defoliation and controlling woody plants and broadleaf weeds, particularly in agriculture and forestry. Its trade primarily involved agricultural chemical companies and government agencies in the past. However, due to severe environmental and health concerns, notably its association with dioxin contamination, the use of 2,4,5-T has been severely restricted or completely banned in most countries globally. Consequently, current international trade is minimal, highly regulated, and typically limited to research purposes or specific, controlled applications where still permitted under strict conditions.

Covers
  • 2,4,5-T acid
  • 2,4,5-T sodium salt
  • 2,4,5-T esters (e.g., butyl ester)
  • 2,4,5-T formulations (historical)
Examples
  • Dow Chemical (historical producer)
  • Monsanto (historical producer)
  • generic agrochemical companies (historical)

Codes often confused with 2918.91

Common mistake. Could be confused with other phenoxy-herbicides like 2,4-D (2918.99 or 3808) if the specific trichloro- structure is not noted, or with general herbicides in Chapter 38.

2918.99Acids; carboxylic acids, with additional oxygen function (not alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone) and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives; other than 2,4,5-T (ISO)38.08Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products, plant growth regulators, disinfectants and the like, put up in forms or packings for retail sale or as preparations or articles

Top exporters and importers of HS code 291891, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 291891 in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 61% 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 Taiwan* ~$83K
  2. 2 India $47K
  3. 3 United States $43K

World total: $183K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Indonesia $4.3M
  2. 2 France $2.0M
  3. 3 Egypt $369K

World total: $7.1M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 2918.91

Brazil does not split HS 2918.91: its NCM code is 2918.91.00.

  1. 2918.91.00 2,4,5-T (ISO), its salts and esters2,4,5-T (ISO) (ácido 2,4,5-triclorofenoxiacético), seus sais e seus ésteres

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 2918.91

What is HS code 291891?

HS code 291891 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Acids; carboxylic acids, with additional oxygen function (not alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone) and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids; 2,4,5-T (ISO) (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid), its salts and esters. This specific HS code is dedicated to 2,4,5-T (ISO), also known as 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and its salts and esters. Historically, 2,4,5-T was a widely used synthetic auxin herbicide for defoliation and controlling woody plants and broadleaf weeds, particularly in agriculture and forestry. Its trade primarily involved agricultural chemical companies and government agencies in the past. However, due to severe environmental and health concerns, notably its association with dioxin contamination, the use of 2,4,5-T has been severely restricted or completely banned in most countries globally. Consequently, current international trade is minimal, highly regulated, and typically limited to research purposes or specific, controlled applications where still permitted under strict conditions.

What products fall under HS code 291891?

2,4,5-T acid, 2,4,5-T sodium salt, 2,4,5-T esters (e.g., butyl ester), 2,4,5-T formulations (historical)

What are common misclassifications for HS code 291891?

Could be confused with other phenoxy-herbicides like 2,4-D (2918.99 or 3808) if the specific trichloro- structure is not noted, or with general herbicides in Chapter 38.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 291891?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 291891 in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $83K, 46% of world exports), India ($47K) and the United States ($43K). World exports came to about $183K, 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 291891?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 291891 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($4.3M, 61% of world imports), France ($2.0M) and Egypt ($369K). World imports came to about $7.1M, 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 291891 structured?

HS code 291891 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 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 291891?

In Brazil, HS code 291891 is NCM 2918.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.