HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 29.36 – Provitamins, vitamins; natural or reproduced by synthesis (including natural concentrates) derivatives thereof used as vitamins, and intermixtures of the fore-going, whether or not in any solvent
What HS 29.36 covers
HS Code 2936 encompasses provitamins and vitamins, whether natural or reproduced by synthesis, including their natural concentrates, derivatives used as vitamins, and intermixtures, whether or not in any solvent. This heading is crucial for international trade as it covers the foundational organic compounds essential for human and animal health, widely used in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, food and beverage fortification, and animal feed industries. The scope extends to both the isolated pure chemical forms of vitamins and their precursors (provitamins), emphasizing their chemical identity rather than their final dosage form or end-use product. For instance, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) in bulk would classify here, but a finished Vitamin C tablet would fall under Chapter 30. This distinction is vital for trade compliance, as the classification dictates applicable tariffs, regulatory requirements, and import/export controls, especially given the often-sensitive nature of health-related products. Historically, the trade of vitamins has grown exponentially with advancements in synthetic chemistry and increased global awareness of nutrition, making it a significant segment within the broader organic chemicals sector. This heading sits within Chapter 29, dedicated to organic chemicals, underscoring that these are specific chemical substances, not complex formulated products, and their classification here is based on their molecular structure and function as vitamins or provitamins.
- Covers
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E)
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12)
- Folic Acid
- Biotin
- Niacinamide
- Calcium pantothenate
- Beta-carotene
- Provitamin D2 (Ergosterol)
- Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)
- Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone)
- Coenzyme Q10
- L-carnitine
- Choline bitartrate
- Retinyl acetate
- Tocopheryl succinate
- Nicotinic acid
- Pantethine
- Inositol
- Calcium L-methylfolate
- Examples
A Swiss pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturer exports bulk Vitamin C powder (Ascorbic Acid) to a dietary supplement producer in the United States via refrigerated air cargo for encapsulation. A Chinese chemical company supplies large quantities of synthetic Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) to an animal feed additive producer in Brazil via ocean freight in specialized containers. A German food ingredient supplier ships Beta-carotene concentrates to a beverage company in Japan for fortifying fruit juices and coloring, utilizing intermodal container transport. An Indian chemical firm exports bulk Folic Acid to pharmaceutical companies across Europe for prenatal vitamin formulations, typically by sea.
Subheadings under 29.36 10
Codes often confused with 29.36
Common mistake. A common misclassification error involves confusing bulk vitamins (2936) with pharmaceutical preparations (Chapter 30). If vitamins are in measured doses or put up for retail sale for therapeutic or prophylactic uses (e.g., vitamin tablets, capsules), they classify under Chapter 30 (e.g., 3004). Another mistake is classifying vitamin-fortified food products (e.g., fortified cereals, beverages) under 2936; these belong to various headings in Chapters 4, 19, 21, etc., based on the primary food product. Similarly, animal feed mixtures containing vitamins are classified under Chapter 23, not 2936. The key distinction for 2936 is the isolated, pure chemical substance, not a formulated product or a preparation.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2936, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2936 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 $3.7B 41% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $1.1B 12% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.1B 12% of world exports
World total: $9.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.4B 14% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $1.0B 10% of world imports
- 3 Germany $724M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $9.9B 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.
Questions about HS 29.36
What is HS code 2936?
HS code 2936 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Provitamins, vitamins; natural or reproduced by synthesis (including natural concentrates) derivatives thereof used as vitamins, and intermixtures of the fore-going, whether or not in any solvent. HS Code 2936 encompasses provitamins and vitamins, whether natural or reproduced by synthesis, including their natural concentrates, derivatives used as vitamins, and intermixtures, whether or not in any solvent. This heading is crucial for international trade as it covers the foundational organic compounds essential for human and animal health, widely used in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, food and beverage fortification, and animal feed industries. The scope extends to both the isolated pure chemical forms of vitamins and their precursors (provitamins), emphasizing their chemical identity rather than their final dosage form or end-use product. For instance, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) in bulk would classify here, but a finished Vitamin C tablet would fall under Chapter 30. This distinction is vital for trade compliance, as the classification dictates applicable tariffs, regulatory requirements, and import/export controls, especially given the often-sensitive nature of health-related products. Historically, the trade of vitamins has grown exponentially with advancements in synthetic chemistry and increased global awareness of nutrition, making it a significant segment within the broader organic chemicals sector. This heading sits within Chapter 29, dedicated to organic chemicals, underscoring that these are specific chemical substances, not complex formulated products, and their classification here is based on their molecular structure and function as vitamins or provitamins.
What products fall under HS code 2936?
Vitamin A palmitate, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), Alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E), Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Folic Acid, Biotin, Niacinamide, Calcium pantothenate, Beta-carotene, Provitamin D2 (Ergosterol), Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone), Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone), Coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, Choline bitartrate, Retinyl acetate, Tocopheryl succinate, Nicotinic acid, Pantethine, Inositol, Calcium L-methylfolate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2936?
A common misclassification error involves confusing bulk vitamins (2936) with pharmaceutical preparations (Chapter 30). If vitamins are in measured doses or put up for retail sale for therapeutic or prophylactic uses (e.g., vitamin tablets, capsules), they classify under Chapter 30 (e.g., 3004). Another mistake is classifying vitamin-fortified food products (e.g., fortified cereals, beverages) under 2936; these belong to various headings in Chapters 4, 19, 21, etc., based on the primary food product. Similarly, animal feed mixtures containing vitamins are classified under Chapter 23, not 2936. The key distinction for 2936 is the isolated, pure chemical substance, not a formulated product or a preparation.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2936?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2936 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.7B, 41% of world exports), the Netherlands ($1.1B) and the United States ($1.1B). World exports came to about $9.1B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 2936?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2936 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.4B, 14% of world imports), the Netherlands ($1.0B) and Germany ($724M). World imports came to about $9.9B, 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 2936 structured?
HS code 2936 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 29 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (36) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.