HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2936.21 – Vitamins; vitamins A and their derivatives, unmixed
HS code 2936.21 is the 6-digit subheading for vitamins, vitamins A and their derivatives, unmixed. It is used for retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene (as a provitamin A) and retinaldehyde.
What HS 2936.21 covers
This HS code covers unmixed Vitamin A and its derivatives, essential fat-soluble vitamins crucial for vision, immune function, and cell growth. In international trade, these compounds are primarily traded as bulk raw materials for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food fortification, and cosmetic industries. Key players in this market include large chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers who produce these vitamins through complex synthetic processes. Importers are typically supplement manufacturers, food processors fortifying products like milk and cereals, and cosmetic companies formulating anti-aging creams. Exporters are often countries with advanced chemical synthesis capabilities. The trade is influenced by global health trends, demand for fortified foods, and the growing dietary supplement market, with a strong emphasis on purity, stability, and compliance with food and drug regulations.
- Covers
- Retinol
- Retinyl acetate
- Retinyl palmitate
- Beta-carotene (as a provitamin A)
- Retinaldehyde
- Examples
- DSM (formerly Roche Vitamins)
- BASF
- Lonza
- Zhejiang Medicine Co.
- Ltd.
- Adisseo
Codes often confused with 2936.21
Common mistake. This code can be confused with mixed vitamins under 293690, or with provitamins like beta-carotene if not specifically considered a derivative of Vitamin A.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 293621, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 293621 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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 United States $195M 33% of world exports
- 2 China $178M 30% of world exports
- 3 France $54M 9.0% of world exports
World total: $596M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $71M 12% of world imports
- 2 Germany $56M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 Brazil $29M 4.9% of world imports
World total: $590M 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 2936.21 5
Brazil splits HS 2936.21 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2936.21.1 Vitamin A₁ alcohol (retinol) and its derivativesVitamina A1 álcool (retinol) e seus derivados Group
- 2936.21.11 Vitamin A1 alcohol (retinol)Vitamina A1 álcool (retinol)
- 2936.21.12 Vitamin A1 (retinol) acetateAcetato
- 2936.21.13 Vitamin A1 (retinol) palmitatePalmitato
- 2936.21.19 Other vitamin A1 (retinol) derivativesOutros
- 2936.21.90 Other vitamins A and their derivativesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 29.36 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2936.21
What is HS code 293621?
HS code 293621 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vitamins; vitamins A and their derivatives, unmixed. This HS code covers unmixed Vitamin A and its derivatives, essential fat-soluble vitamins crucial for vision, immune function, and cell growth. In international trade, these compounds are primarily traded as bulk raw materials for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food fortification, and cosmetic industries. Key players in this market include large chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturers who produce these vitamins through complex synthetic processes. Importers are typically supplement manufacturers, food processors fortifying products like milk and cereals, and cosmetic companies formulating anti-aging creams. Exporters are often countries with advanced chemical synthesis capabilities. The trade is influenced by global health trends, demand for fortified foods, and the growing dietary supplement market, with a strong emphasis on purity, stability, and compliance with food and drug regulations.
What products fall under HS code 293621?
Retinol, Retinyl acetate, Retinyl palmitate, Beta-carotene (as a provitamin A), Retinaldehyde
What are common misclassifications for HS code 293621?
This code can be confused with mixed vitamins under 293690, or with provitamins like beta-carotene if not specifically considered a derivative of Vitamin A.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 293621?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 293621 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($195M, 33% of world exports), China ($178M) and France ($54M). World exports came to about $596M, 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 293621?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 293621 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($71M, 12% of world imports), Germany ($56M) and Brazil ($29M). World imports came to about $590M, 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 293621 structured?
HS code 293621 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (36) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 293621?
Brazil splits HS code 293621 into 5 NCM codes: 2936.21.11 (Vitamin A1 alcohol (retinol)), 2936.21.12 (Vitamin A1 (retinol) acetate), 2936.21.13 (Vitamin A1 (retinol) palmitate), 2936.21.19 (Other vitamin A1 (retinol) derivatives), 2936.21.90 (Other vitamins A and their derivatives). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.