HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2931.10 – Organo-inorganic compounds; tetramethyl lead and tetraethyl lead
HS code 2931.10 is the 6-digit subheading for organo-inorganic compounds, tetramethyl lead and tetraethyl lead. It is used for tetramethyl lead, tetraethyl lead, TML antiknock additive, TEL antiknock additive and lead alkyls.
What HS 2931.10 covers
This HS code covers tetramethyl lead (TML) and tetraethyl lead (TEL), historically significant organo-inorganic compounds primarily used as antiknock agents in gasoline. However, due to severe environmental and health concerns related to lead emissions, their use has been almost entirely phased out globally. International trade in these substances is now extremely limited, primarily for specialized applications like aviation fuel (avgas) for piston-engine aircraft, or for historical preservation purposes, and is subject to stringent international conventions and national regulations. Importers are typically niche industries or specific military/aviation sectors in countries that still permit their use for these limited applications. Exporters are very few, usually specialized chemical manufacturers in countries with the necessary production infrastructure and regulatory approvals. Key things to know include the near-total global ban for automotive fuel, the high toxicity, and the strict controls on any remaining trade, which is often under specific exemptions. The trade volume is negligible compared to historical levels.
- Covers
- Tetramethyl lead
- Tetraethyl lead
- TML antiknock additive
- TEL antiknock additive
- Lead alkyls
- Aviation fuel additive
- Examples
- Innospec TEL
- Ethyl Corporation TEL (historical)
- Octel TEL (historical)
- Associated Octel Company TML
Codes often confused with 2931.10
Common mistake. These compounds are distinct due to their lead content; they should not be confused with other organo-metallic compounds in 2931.90 or other lead compounds in Chapter 28 or 26 if the organic component is overlooked.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293110, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293110 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 67% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 28% 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 Netherlands $4.7M 67% of world exports
- 2 United States $672K 9.7% of world exports
- 3 Finland $668K 9.6% of world exports
World total: $6.9M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $4.5M 28% of world imports
- 2 United States $3.0M 19% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $2.2M 14% of world imports
World total: $16M 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 code for 2931.10
Brazil does not split HS 2931.10: its NCM code is 2931.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.31 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2931.10
What is HS code 293110?
HS code 293110 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Organo-inorganic compounds; tetramethyl lead and tetraethyl lead. This HS code covers tetramethyl lead (TML) and tetraethyl lead (TEL), historically significant organo-inorganic compounds primarily used as antiknock agents in gasoline. However, due to severe environmental and health concerns related to lead emissions, their use has been almost entirely phased out globally. International trade in these substances is now extremely limited, primarily for specialized applications like aviation fuel (avgas) for piston-engine aircraft, or for historical preservation purposes, and is subject to stringent international conventions and national regulations. Importers are typically niche industries or specific military/aviation sectors in countries that still permit their use for these limited applications. Exporters are very few, usually specialized chemical manufacturers in countries with the necessary production infrastructure and regulatory approvals. Key things to know include the near-total global ban for automotive fuel, the high toxicity, and the strict controls on any remaining trade, which is often under specific exemptions. The trade volume is negligible compared to historical levels.
What products fall under HS code 293110?
Tetramethyl lead, Tetraethyl lead, TML antiknock additive, TEL antiknock additive, Lead alkyls, Aviation fuel additive
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293110?
These compounds are distinct due to their lead content; they should not be confused with other organo-metallic compounds in 2931.90 or other lead compounds in Chapter 28 or 26 if the organic component is overlooked.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293110?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293110 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($4.7M, 67% of world exports), the United States ($672K) and Finland ($668K). World exports came to about $6.9M, 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 293110?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293110 in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($4.5M, 28% of world imports), the United States ($3.0M) and the Netherlands ($2.2M). World imports came to about $16M, 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 293110 structured?
HS code 293110 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (31) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293110?
In Brazil, HS code 293110 is NCM 2931.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.