HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2923.90 – Quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides; whether or not chemically defined n.e.c. in heading no. 2923
HS code 2923.90 is the 6-digit subheading for quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides, whether or not chemically defined n.e.c. in heading no. 2923. It is used for benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium bromide, stearalkonium chloride, choline chloride and tetramethylammonium hydroxide.
What HS 2923.90 covers
This "not elsewhere specified" (NES) HS code acts as a catch-all for all other quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides that do not have their own specific subheadings within 2923. These compounds are incredibly diverse and play a vital role across numerous industries. They function as surfactants, emulsifiers, antistatic agents, fabric softeners, corrosion inhibitors, and phase transfer catalysts. Consequently, they are traded globally for use in personal care products, detergents, textile processing, oil and gas production, and various industrial chemical syntheses. Major importers include manufacturers of consumer goods, industrial chemical formulators, and specialty chemical distributors worldwide. Exporters are typically large-scale chemical producers in countries with advanced chemical manufacturing capabilities. Key aspects of trade involve understanding the specific application to ensure the correct compound is sourced, managing diverse regulatory requirements across different end-use sectors, and navigating the complexities of supply chains for a wide array of specialized chemicals.
- Covers
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Cetrimonium bromide
- Stearalkonium chloride
- Choline chloride
- Tetramethylammonium hydroxide
- Cetylpyridinium chloride
- Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide
- Examples
- Lonza Benzalkonium Chloride
- BASF Choline Chloride
- Evonik Cetrimonium Bromide
- Stepan Company Quats
Codes often confused with 2923.90
Common mistake. This code is often confused with more specific quaternary ammonium compounds if their exact chemical structure is known (e.g., 292310 for choline and its salts), or with formulated products containing these chemicals in Chapter 34 (soaps, organic surface-active agents) or Chapter 38 (miscellaneous chemical products).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 292390, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 292390 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.4% 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 $447M 37% of world exports
- 2 United States $138M 12% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $105M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $127M 9.4% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $122M 9.1% of world imports
- 3 Germany $115M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 2923.90 7
Brazil splits HS 2923.90 into 7 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2923.90.10 Betaine and its saltsBetaína e seus sais
- 2923.90.20 Choline derivativesDerivados da colina
- 2923.90.30 3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chlorideCloreto de 3-cloro-2-hidroxipropiltrimetilamônio
- 2923.90.40 C6-C22 alkyltrimethylammonium halidesHalogenetos de alquil-trimetilamônio, com grupo alquila de C6 a C22
- 2923.90.50 C6-C22 dialkyldimethyl- or benzalkonium halidesHalogenetos de dialquil-dimetilamônio ou de alquil-benzil-dimetilamônio, com grupo alquila de C6 a C22
- 2923.90.60 C6-C22 pentamethylalkylpropylenediammonium halidesHalogenetos de pentametil-alquil-propilenodiamônio, com grupo alquila de C6 a C22
- 2923.90.90 Other quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxidesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.23 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2923.90
What is HS code 292390?
HS code 292390 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides; whether or not chemically defined n.e.c. in heading no. 2923. This "not elsewhere specified" (NES) HS code acts as a catch-all for all other quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides that do not have their own specific subheadings within 2923. These compounds are incredibly diverse and play a vital role across numerous industries. They function as surfactants, emulsifiers, antistatic agents, fabric softeners, corrosion inhibitors, and phase transfer catalysts. Consequently, they are traded globally for use in personal care products, detergents, textile processing, oil and gas production, and various industrial chemical syntheses. Major importers include manufacturers of consumer goods, industrial chemical formulators, and specialty chemical distributors worldwide. Exporters are typically large-scale chemical producers in countries with advanced chemical manufacturing capabilities. Key aspects of trade involve understanding the specific application to ensure the correct compound is sourced, managing diverse regulatory requirements across different end-use sectors, and navigating the complexities of supply chains for a wide array of specialized chemicals.
What products fall under HS code 292390?
Benzalkonium chloride, Cetrimonium bromide, Stearalkonium chloride, Choline chloride, Tetramethylammonium hydroxide, Cetylpyridinium chloride, Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide
What are common misclassifications for HS code 292390?
This code is often confused with more specific quaternary ammonium compounds if their exact chemical structure is known (e.g., 292310 for choline and its salts), or with formulated products containing these chemicals in Chapter 34 (soaps, organic surface-active agents) or Chapter 38 (miscellaneous chemical products).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 292390?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 292390 in UN Comtrade data were China ($447M, 37% of world exports), the United States ($138M) and the Netherlands ($105M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 292390?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 292390 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($127M, 9.4% of world imports), South Korea ($122M) and Germany ($115M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 292390 structured?
HS code 292390 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (23) 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 292390?
Brazil splits HS code 292390 into 7 NCM codes: 2923.90.10 (Betaine and its salts), 2923.90.20 (Choline derivatives), 2923.90.30 (3-Chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride), 2923.90.40 (C6-C22 alkyltrimethylammonium halides), 2923.90.50 (C6-C22 dialkyldimethyl- or benzalkonium halides), 2923.90.60 (C6-C22 pentamethylalkylpropylenediammonium halides), 2923.90.90 (Other quaternary ammonium salts and hydroxides). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.