HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3912.39 – Cellulose ethers; (other than carboxymethylcellulose and its salts), in primary forms
HS code 3912.39 is the 6-digit subheading for cellulose ethers, (other than carboxymethylcellulose and its salts), in primary forms. It is used for methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC).
What HS 3912.39 covers
This HS code covers a diverse range of cellulose ethers, excluding carboxymethylcellulose, traded in their primary forms. These polymers are critical for industries requiring thickening, binding, film-forming, and water retention properties. Key examples include methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Countries with robust construction, pharmaceutical, food, and personal care industries, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan, are major importers. Exporters are typically large chemical producers in regions like Europe, North America, and China. The trade involves various grades tailored for specific applications, from cement additives and dry mix mortars to pharmaceutical excipients and food thickeners. Understanding the specific etherification and molecular weight is paramount for traders to ensure the correct product for the intended application. The market is driven by the demand for high-performance, bio-derived additives.
- Covers
- Methylcellulose
- Ethylcellulose
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)
- Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC)
- Hydroxyethyl methylcellulose (HEMC)
- Examples
- Dow Methocel
- Ashland Benecel
- Shin-Etsu Metolose
- DuPont Ethocel
- AkzoNobel Bermocoll
Codes often confused with 3912.39
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 391231 (carboxymethylcellulose) and can be confused with 391290 (other cellulose derivatives) if the product is not clearly identified as a cellulose ether.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 391239, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 391239 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, 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 Germany $737M 24% of world exports
- 2 China $553M 18% of world exports
- 3 United States $504M 17% of world exports
World total: $3.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $399M 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $256M 8.0% of world imports
- 3 Germany $160M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $3.2B 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 3912.39 4
Brazil splits HS 3912.39 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3912.39.10 Hydroxylated methyl-, ethyl- and propylcelluloseMetil-, etil- e propilcelulose, hidroxiladas
- 3912.39.20 Other methylcellulosesOutras metilceluloses
- 3912.39.30 Other ethylcellulosesOutras etilceluloses
- 3912.39.90 Other cellulose ethers in primary formsOutros
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 3912.39
What is HS code 391239?
HS code 391239 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cellulose ethers; (other than carboxymethylcellulose and its salts), in primary forms. This HS code covers a diverse range of cellulose ethers, excluding carboxymethylcellulose, traded in their primary forms. These polymers are critical for industries requiring thickening, binding, film-forming, and water retention properties. Key examples include methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). Countries with robust construction, pharmaceutical, food, and personal care industries, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan, are major importers. Exporters are typically large chemical producers in regions like Europe, North America, and China. The trade involves various grades tailored for specific applications, from cement additives and dry mix mortars to pharmaceutical excipients and food thickeners. Understanding the specific etherification and molecular weight is paramount for traders to ensure the correct product for the intended application. The market is driven by the demand for high-performance, bio-derived additives.
What products fall under HS code 391239?
Methylcellulose, Ethylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), Hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), Hydroxyethyl methylcellulose (HEMC)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 391239?
This code is distinct from 391231 (carboxymethylcellulose) and can be confused with 391290 (other cellulose derivatives) if the product is not clearly identified as a cellulose ether.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 391239?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 391239 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($737M, 24% of world exports), China ($553M) and the United States ($504M). World exports came to about $3.0B, 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 391239?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 391239 in UN Comtrade data were India ($399M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($256M) and Germany ($160M). World imports came to about $3.2B, 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 391239 structured?
HS code 391239 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 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 391239?
Brazil splits HS code 391239 into 4 NCM codes: 3912.39.10 (Hydroxylated methyl-, ethyl- and propylcellulose), 3912.39.20 (Other methylcelluloses), 3912.39.30 (Other ethylcelluloses), 3912.39.90 (Other cellulose ethers in primary forms). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.