HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2920.90 – Esters; other than thiophosphoric esters (phosphorothioates) and phosphite esters and their salts, their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, n.e.c. in heading no. 2920
HS code 2920.90 is the 6-digit subheading for esters, other than thiophosphoric esters (phosphorothioates) and phosphite esters and their salts, their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, n.e.c. in heading no. 2920. It is used for methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl myristate and glyceryl monostearate.
What HS 2920.90 covers
This 'catch-all' HS code covers a broad spectrum of esters not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 2920, excluding thiophosphoric esters and phosphite esters. It includes their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated, or nitrosated derivatives. This category is vital for specialty chemical companies, research and development laboratories, and various industrial sectors that require unique organic compounds. These esters find diverse applications as solvents, plasticizers, lubricants, flavor and fragrance components, or as intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, polymers, and other fine chemicals. The trade in these products is characterized by specialized demand, often involving smaller volumes of high-value chemicals, with a strong emphasis on purity, technical specifications, and adherence to chemical safety regulations.
- Covers
- Methyl acetate
- Ethyl acetate
- Butyl acetate
- Isopropyl myristate
- Glyceryl monostearate
- Sucrose esters
- Propylene glycol monostearate
- Examples
- Eastman Chemical (various solvents)
- BASF (plasticizers)
- Croda International (specialty esters)
Codes often confused with 2920.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with more specific ester codes like 2915 (saturated acyclic monocarboxylic esters) or 2918 (carboxylic acids with additional oxygen function) if the ester's exact chemical structure is not carefully identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 292090, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 292090 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 19% 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 $293M 30% of world exports
- 2 Germany $204M 21% of world exports
- 3 United States $127M 13% of world exports
World total: $966M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $227M 19% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $80M 6.8% of world imports
- 3 Germany $57M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 2920.90 12
Brazil splits HS 2920.90 into 12 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2920.90.2 SulphitesSulfitos Group
- 2920.90.22 PropargitePropargite
- 2920.90.29 Other sulphite estersOutros
- 2920.90.3 NitratesNitratos Group
- 2920.90.31 Propatyl nitrateDe propatila
- 2920.90.32 NitroglycerinNitroglicerina
- 2920.90.33 Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN)Tetranitrato de pentaeritritol (PETN, nitropenta, pentrita)
- 2920.90.39 Other nitrate estersOutros
- 2920.90.4 SulphatesSulfatos Group
- 2920.90.41 C6 to C22 alkyl sulphatesDe alquila de C6 a C22
- 2920.90.42 Monoalkyl di- or triethylene glycol sulphatesDe monoalquildietilenoglicol ou de monoalquiltrietilenoglicol
- 2920.90.49 Other sulphate estersOutros
- 2920.90.5 SilicatesSilicatos Group
- 2920.90.51 Ethyl silicateDe etila
- 2920.90.59 Other silicate estersOutros
- 2920.90.90 Other esters of non-metal inorganic acidsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.20 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2920.90
What is HS code 292090?
HS code 292090 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Esters; other than thiophosphoric esters (phosphorothioates) and phosphite esters and their salts, their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives, n.e.c. in heading no. 2920. This 'catch-all' HS code covers a broad spectrum of esters not specifically classified elsewhere within heading 2920, excluding thiophosphoric esters and phosphite esters. It includes their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated, or nitrosated derivatives. This category is vital for specialty chemical companies, research and development laboratories, and various industrial sectors that require unique organic compounds. These esters find diverse applications as solvents, plasticizers, lubricants, flavor and fragrance components, or as intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, polymers, and other fine chemicals. The trade in these products is characterized by specialized demand, often involving smaller volumes of high-value chemicals, with a strong emphasis on purity, technical specifications, and adherence to chemical safety regulations.
What products fall under HS code 292090?
Methyl acetate, Ethyl acetate, Butyl acetate, Isopropyl myristate, Glyceryl monostearate, Sucrose esters, Propylene glycol monostearate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 292090?
This code is often confused with more specific ester codes like 2915 (saturated acyclic monocarboxylic esters) or 2918 (carboxylic acids with additional oxygen function) if the ester's exact chemical structure is not carefully identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 292090?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 292090 in UN Comtrade data were China ($293M, 30% of world exports), Germany ($204M) and the United States ($127M). World exports came to about $966M, 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 292090?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 292090 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($227M, 19% of world imports), South Korea ($80M) and Germany ($57M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 292090 structured?
HS code 292090 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (20) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 292090?
Brazil splits HS code 292090 into 12 NCM codes: 2920.90.22 (Propargite), 2920.90.29 (Other sulphite esters), 2920.90.31 (Propatyl nitrate), 2920.90.32 (Nitroglycerin), 2920.90.33 (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN)), 2920.90.39 (Other nitrate esters), 2920.90.41 (C6 to C22 alkyl sulphates), 2920.90.42 (Monoalkyl di- or triethylene glycol sulphates), and more listed on this page. The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.