HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3912.31 – Cellulose ethers; carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, in primary forms
HS code 3912.31 is the 6-digit subheading for cellulose ethers, carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, in primary forms. It is used for sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), carboxymethylcellulose powder, food-grade CMC, pharmaceutical-grade CMC and industrial-grade CMC.
What HS 3912.31 covers
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and its salts, in primary forms, represent a significant segment of the cellulose ether market in international trade. This water-soluble polymer is highly valued for its thickening, binding, and stabilizing properties, making it indispensable across a wide array of industries. Major importers are typically countries with large food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and detergent manufacturing sectors, including the USA, China, and India. Exporters often originate from regions with strong chemical and pulp industries, such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. The trade involves various grades of CMC, differentiated by purity, viscosity, and degree of substitution, which dictate their specific applications. Understanding these technical specifications is crucial for successful transactions. The global demand for CMC is steadily growing, driven by its natural origin and versatility as a functional additive in consumer products.
- Covers
- Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)
- Carboxymethylcellulose powder
- Food-grade CMC
- Pharmaceutical-grade CMC
- Industrial-grade CMC
- CMC thickener
- CMC binder
- Examples
- Ashland Aqualon CMC
- Dow Walocel CMC
- CP Kelco Finnfix CMC
- DuPont Tylose CMC
- AkzoNobel Bermocoll CMC
Codes often confused with 3912.31
Common mistake. This code is specifically for carboxymethylcellulose; it might be confused with 391239 (other cellulose ethers) if the "carboxymethyl" modification is not explicitly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 391231, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 391231 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% 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 China $269M 27% of world exports
- 2 Finland $134M 14% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $85M 8.6% of world exports
World total: $988M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $130M 12% of world imports
- 2 India $78M 7.3% of world imports
- 3 China $62M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 3912.31 4
Brazil splits HS 3912.31 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3912.31.1 CarboxymethylcelluloseCarboximetilcelulose Group
- 3912.31.11 Carboxymethylcellulose, CMC content 75% or moreCom um teor de carboximetilcelulose igual ou superior a 75 %, em peso
- 3912.31.19 Carboxymethylcellulose, CMC content below 75%Outros
- 3912.31.2 SaltsSais Group
- 3912.31.21 Carboxymethylcellulose salts, content 75% or moreCom um teor de sais igual ou superior a 75 %, em peso
- 3912.31.29 Carboxymethylcellulose salts, content below 75%Outros
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 3912.31
What is HS code 391231?
HS code 391231 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cellulose ethers; carboxymethylcellulose and its salts, in primary forms. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and its salts, in primary forms, represent a significant segment of the cellulose ether market in international trade. This water-soluble polymer is highly valued for its thickening, binding, and stabilizing properties, making it indispensable across a wide array of industries. Major importers are typically countries with large food processing, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and detergent manufacturing sectors, including the USA, China, and India. Exporters often originate from regions with strong chemical and pulp industries, such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia. The trade involves various grades of CMC, differentiated by purity, viscosity, and degree of substitution, which dictate their specific applications. Understanding these technical specifications is crucial for successful transactions. The global demand for CMC is steadily growing, driven by its natural origin and versatility as a functional additive in consumer products.
What products fall under HS code 391231?
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), Carboxymethylcellulose powder, Food-grade CMC, Pharmaceutical-grade CMC, Industrial-grade CMC, CMC thickener, CMC binder
What are common misclassifications for HS code 391231?
This code is specifically for carboxymethylcellulose; it might be confused with 391239 (other cellulose ethers) if the "carboxymethyl" modification is not explicitly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 391231?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 391231 in UN Comtrade data were China ($269M, 27% of world exports), Finland ($134M) and the Netherlands ($85M). World exports came to about $988M, 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 391231?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 391231 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($130M, 12% of world imports), India ($78M) and China ($62M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 391231 structured?
HS code 391231 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 391231?
Brazil splits HS code 391231 into 4 NCM codes: 3912.31.11 (Carboxymethylcellulose, CMC content 75% or more), 3912.31.19 (Carboxymethylcellulose, CMC content below 75%), 3912.31.21 (Carboxymethylcellulose salts, content 75% or more), 3912.31.29 (Carboxymethylcellulose salts, content below 75%). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.