HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3912.11 – Cellulose acetates; non-plasticised, in primary forms
HS code 3912.11 is the 6-digit subheading for cellulose acetates, non-plasticised, in primary forms. It is used for cellulose acetate flakes, cellulose acetate powder, cellulose diacetate, cellulose triacetate and acetate tow (unprocessed).
What HS 3912.11 covers
This HS code covers cellulose acetates in primary forms that have not been plasticised. Cellulose acetate is a synthetic polymer derived from cellulose, a natural polymer, and is typically traded as flakes, powders, or granules. It is valued for its transparency, rigidity, and biodegradability. Key applications include photographic film bases, textile fibers (acetate rayon), cigarette filters, and certain types of coatings and lacquers. Importers are primarily manufacturers in the textile, film, and tobacco industries. Exporters are chemical companies specializing in cellulose derivatives. The international trade is driven by demand for a versatile, bio-based polymer that offers specific performance characteristics, particularly where rigidity, clarity, and a degree of biodegradability are required without the added flexibility of plasticizers, making it a sustainable choice for various products.
- Covers
- Cellulose acetate flakes
- Cellulose acetate powder
- Cellulose diacetate
- Cellulose triacetate
- Acetate tow (unprocessed)
- Cellulose acetate granules
- Cellulose acetate for film base
- Examples
- Eastman Cellulose Acetate
- Daicel Cellulose Acetate
- Celanese Cellulose Acetate
Codes often confused with 3912.11
Common mistake. Can be confused with plasticised cellulose acetates (391212) if the plasticizer content is not specified, or with other cellulose derivatives like cellulose ethers (391239) or regenerated cellulose (e.g., cellophane in 392073).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 391211, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 391211 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 84% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% 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 $536M 84% of world exports
- 2 China $63M 10.0% of world exports
- 3 Poland $15M 2.3% of world exports
World total: $636M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $208M 40% of world imports
- 2 Brazil $83M 16% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $64M 12% of world imports
World total: $519M 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 3912.11 2
Brazil splits HS 3912.11 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3912.11.10 Filled non-plasticised cellulose acetatesCom carga
- 3912.11.20 Unfilled non-plasticised cellulose acetatesSem carga
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 39.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3912.11
What is HS code 391211?
HS code 391211 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cellulose acetates; non-plasticised, in primary forms. This HS code covers cellulose acetates in primary forms that have not been plasticised. Cellulose acetate is a synthetic polymer derived from cellulose, a natural polymer, and is typically traded as flakes, powders, or granules. It is valued for its transparency, rigidity, and biodegradability. Key applications include photographic film bases, textile fibers (acetate rayon), cigarette filters, and certain types of coatings and lacquers. Importers are primarily manufacturers in the textile, film, and tobacco industries. Exporters are chemical companies specializing in cellulose derivatives. The international trade is driven by demand for a versatile, bio-based polymer that offers specific performance characteristics, particularly where rigidity, clarity, and a degree of biodegradability are required without the added flexibility of plasticizers, making it a sustainable choice for various products.
What products fall under HS code 391211?
Cellulose acetate flakes, Cellulose acetate powder, Cellulose diacetate, Cellulose triacetate, Acetate tow (unprocessed), Cellulose acetate granules, Cellulose acetate for film base
What are common misclassifications for HS code 391211?
Can be confused with plasticised cellulose acetates (391212) if the plasticizer content is not specified, or with other cellulose derivatives like cellulose ethers (391239) or regenerated cellulose (e.g., cellophane in 392073).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 391211?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 391211 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($536M, 84% of world exports), China ($63M) and Poland ($15M). World exports came to about $636M, 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 391211?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 391211 in UN Comtrade data were China ($208M, 40% of world imports), Brazil ($83M) and South Korea ($64M). World imports came to about $519M, 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 391211 structured?
HS code 391211 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (39) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 391211?
Brazil splits HS code 391211 into 2 NCM codes: 3912.11.10 (Filled non-plasticised cellulose acetates), 3912.11.20 (Unfilled non-plasticised cellulose acetates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.