HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2933.79 – Heterocyclic compounds; lactams; other than 6-hexanelactam (epsilon caprolactam) and clobazam (INN) and methyprylon (INN)
HS code 2933.79 is the 6-digit subheading for heterocyclic compounds, lactams, other than 6-hexanelactam (epsilon caprolactam) and clobazam (INN) and methyprylon (INN). It is used for N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), 2-Pyrrolidone, valerolactam, butyrolactam and piracetam.
What HS 2933.79 covers
This "other lactams" HS code serves as a catch-all for heterocyclic compounds containing a lactam ring, excluding the highly specific epsilon-caprolactam, clobazam, and methyprylon. This category encompasses a wide variety of lactams, many of which are crucial intermediates in organic synthesis, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), or building blocks for specialty polymers and chemicals. Examples include pyrrolidones, valerolactam, and various pharmaceutical intermediates. International trade in these compounds is diverse, catering to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry for drug synthesis, the polymer industry for specialized materials, and the fine chemical sector for research and development. Major exporters include countries with strong chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing bases, such as China, India, Germany, and the United States. Importers are typically manufacturers of finished drugs, specialty polymers, or other advanced chemical products. Key considerations for trade involve purity specifications, handling requirements, and compliance with chemical safety regulations, as the specific properties and applications vary greatly within this broad category.
- Covers
- N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)
- 2-Pyrrolidone
- Valerolactam
- Butyrolactam
- Piracetam
- Levetiracetam
- Aniracetam
- Povidone
- Examples
- UCB Pharma (Levetiracetam)
- Piracetam (various generics)
- BASF (NMP)
- Ashland (Povidone)
Codes often confused with 2933.79
Common mistake. This is a residual category for lactams. It's often confused with 293371 (epsilon-caprolactam) or 293372 (clobazam/methyprylon), but the "other" designation means it covers all lactams not explicitly listed elsewhere.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293379, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293379 in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 39% 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 Ireland $2.3B 27% of world exports
- 2 Singapore $2.0B 23% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $786M 9.3% of world exports
World total: $8.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $3.1B 39% of world imports
- 2 Ireland $1.2B 15% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $1.2B 14% of world imports
World total: $8.1B 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 2933.79 2
Brazil splits HS 2933.79 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.33 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2933.79
What is HS code 293379?
HS code 293379 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Heterocyclic compounds; lactams; other than 6-hexanelactam (epsilon caprolactam) and clobazam (INN) and methyprylon (INN). This "other lactams" HS code serves as a catch-all for heterocyclic compounds containing a lactam ring, excluding the highly specific epsilon-caprolactam, clobazam, and methyprylon. This category encompasses a wide variety of lactams, many of which are crucial intermediates in organic synthesis, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), or building blocks for specialty polymers and chemicals. Examples include pyrrolidones, valerolactam, and various pharmaceutical intermediates. International trade in these compounds is diverse, catering to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry for drug synthesis, the polymer industry for specialized materials, and the fine chemical sector for research and development. Major exporters include countries with strong chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing bases, such as China, India, Germany, and the United States. Importers are typically manufacturers of finished drugs, specialty polymers, or other advanced chemical products. Key considerations for trade involve purity specifications, handling requirements, and compliance with chemical safety regulations, as the specific properties and applications vary greatly within this broad category.
What products fall under HS code 293379?
N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), 2-Pyrrolidone, Valerolactam, Butyrolactam, Piracetam, Levetiracetam, Aniracetam, Povidone
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293379?
This is a residual category for lactams. It's often confused with 293371 (epsilon-caprolactam) or 293372 (clobazam/methyprylon), but the "other" designation means it covers all lactams not explicitly listed elsewhere.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293379?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293379 in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($2.3B, 27% of world exports), Singapore ($2.0B) and Switzerland ($786M). World exports came to about $8.5B, 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 293379?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293379 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($3.1B, 39% of world imports), Ireland ($1.2B) and Belgium ($1.2B). World imports came to about $8.1B, 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 293379 structured?
HS code 293379 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (33) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (79) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293379?
Brazil splits HS code 293379 into 2 NCM codes: 2933.79.10 (Piracetam), 2933.79.90 (Other lactams). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.