About HS Code 2940
HS Code 2940 covers chemically pure sugars, specifically *other than* sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose, and fructose, which are classified in Chapter 17. It also includes sugar ethers, sugar acetals, and sugar esters, and their salts, provided they are not products of heading 2937, 2938, or 2939. This heading is crucial for specialized industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and advanced food science, where specific, rare, or modified sugars are required for research, synthesis, or specific functional properties. The scope explicitly excludes the common bulk food sugars, emphasizing the 'chemically pure' nature and distinct molecular structure of the included sugars and their derivatives. This distinction is vital for trade compliance, as it differentiates high-value chemical intermediates from commodity food products, affecting tariff rates, regulatory oversight, and quality standards. These specialized sugars are often used as chiral building blocks in drug synthesis, as diagnostic reagents, or in unique material science applications. This heading resides within Chapter 29 (Organic Chemicals), reinforcing that these are isolated, defined chemical compounds, not mixtures or food preparations, highlighting their chemical purity and specific applications beyond typical food consumption.
Products Under This Code
Mannose, Xylose, Arabinose, Ribose, Rhamnose, Fucose, Galactose (chemically pure), Sorbose, Trehalose (chemically pure), Cellobiose, Isomaltose, Gentiobiose, Maltotriose, Raffinose (pure), Stachyose (pure), Lactulose (pure), Methyl glucoside, Ethyl glucoside, Diacetone-D-glucose, Sucrose octaacetate, D-Ribose, L-Arabinose, D-Xylose, Mannoheptulose, Sedoheptulose, Kestose, Nystose, D-Allulose (pure), D-Tagatose (pure), Isomaltulose (pure)
Real World Examples
A Japanese research institution imports chemically pure D-Ribose from a US chemical supplier for biochemical experiments and nucleic acid synthesis, typically via air freight. A German specialty chemical manufacturer exports bulk Xylose to a European food ingredient company for a specific functional food application requiring its unique properties, utilizing container ship transport. A Chinese pharmaceutical raw material producer supplies pure Lactulose to a drug formulator in India for laxative preparations and liver disease treatments, often via ocean freight. A US biotech company ships pure Trehalose to laboratories in South Korea for protein stabilization and cryopreservation research, requiring careful handling and air cargo.
Common Misclassification
A very common misclassification error is confusing chemically pure sugars of 2940 with bulk food-grade sugars of Chapter 17 (e.g., 1702 for glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, or 1701 for sucrose). The key distinction for 2940 is the 'chemically pure' requirement and the explicit exclusion of the most common sugars. Another mistake is classifying sugar alcohols (e.g., Xylitol, Erythritol) here; these typically belong to 2905. Amino-sugars like Glucosamine are classified under 2922. Traders must carefully read the specific exclusions and the 'chemically pure' requirement to avoid misclassification, which can lead to incorrect duties and regulatory issues.
Subheadings 1
Industry
This code belongs to the Chemicals industry.
Trade Overview
Major producers and exporters of these specialized, chemically pure sugars include China, the United States, Germany, and Japan, reflecting their advanced chemical synthesis and purification capabilities. Significant importers are the United States, European Union countries, Japan, and India, driven by demand from their pharmaceutical, research, and high-tech food industries. Tariffs for these chemical intermediates are generally low or zero, especially under free trade agreements, as they are not typically consumer food items but rather specialized inputs. However, strict quality control and purity standards are paramount in their trade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 2940?
HS code 2940 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sugars, chemically pure, other than sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose and fructose; sugar ethers, sugar acetals and sugar esters, and their salts, other than the products of heading 29.37, 29.38, or 29.39. HS Code 2940 covers chemically pure sugars, specifically *other than* sucrose, lactose, maltose, glucose, and fructose, which are classified in Chapter 17. It also includes sugar ethers, sugar acetals, and sugar esters, and their salts, provided they are not products of heading 2937, 2938, or 2939. This heading is crucial for specialized industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and advanced food science, where specific, rare, or modified sugars are required for research, synthesis, or specific functional properties. The scope explicitly excludes the common bulk food sugars, emphasizing the 'chemically pure' nature and distinct molecular structure of the included sugars and their derivatives. This distinction is vital for trade compliance, as it differentiates high-value chemical intermediates from commodity food products, affecting tariff rates, regulatory oversight, and quality standards. These specialized sugars are often used as chiral building blocks in drug synthesis, as diagnostic reagents, or in unique material science applications. This heading resides within Chapter 29 (Organic Chemicals), reinforcing that these are isolated, defined chemical compounds, not mixtures or food preparations, highlighting their chemical purity and specific applications beyond typical food consumption.
What products fall under HS code 2940?
Mannose, Xylose, Arabinose, Ribose, Rhamnose, Fucose, Galactose (chemically pure), Sorbose, Trehalose (chemically pure), Cellobiose, Isomaltose, Gentiobiose, Maltotriose, Raffinose (pure), Stachyose (pure), Lactulose (pure), Methyl glucoside, Ethyl glucoside, Diacetone-D-glucose, Sucrose octaacetate, D-Ribose, L-Arabinose, D-Xylose, Mannoheptulose, Sedoheptulose, Kestose, Nystose, D-Allulose (pure), D-Tagatose (pure), Isomaltulose (pure)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2940?
A very common misclassification error is confusing chemically pure sugars of 2940 with bulk food-grade sugars of Chapter 17 (e.g., 1702 for glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, or 1701 for sucrose). The key distinction for 2940 is the 'chemically pure' requirement and the explicit exclusion of the most common sugars. Another mistake is classifying sugar alcohols (e.g., Xylitol, Erythritol) here; these typically belong to 2905. Amino-sugars like Glucosamine are classified under 2922. Traders must carefully read the specific exclusions and the 'chemically pure' requirement to avoid misclassification, which can lead to incorrect duties and regulatory issues.
Which countries trade the most under HS code 2940?
Major producers and exporters of these specialized, chemically pure sugars include China, the United States, Germany, and Japan, reflecting their advanced chemical synthesis and purification capabilities. Significant importers are the United States, European Union countries, Japan, and India, driven by demand from their pharmaceutical, research, and high-tech food industries. Tariffs for these chemical intermediates are generally low or zero, especially under free trade agreements, as they are not typically consumer food items but rather specialized inputs. However, strict quality control and purity standards are paramount in their trade.
How is HS code 2940 structured?
HS code 2940 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 29 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (29) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (40) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.