HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3913.10 – Polymers, natural; alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms
HS code 3913.10 is the 6-digit subheading for polymers, natural, alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms. It is used for sodium alginate, alginic acid, propylene glycol alginate (PGA), calcium alginate and potassium alginate.
What HS 3913.10 covers
Alginic acid, its salts (like sodium alginate), and esters (like propylene glycol alginate) in primary forms are natural polymers derived primarily from brown seaweed. These biopolymers are highly valued in international trade for their gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties, making them essential in the food, pharmaceutical, and textile industries. Major importers include countries with large food processing and pharmaceutical sectors, such as China, the USA, and Germany. Exporters are typically countries with significant seaweed harvesting and processing capabilities, like China, Norway, and Chile. The trade involves various grades, with purity and viscosity being key determinants of application. Understanding the specific salt or ester form is crucial, as each offers distinct functional characteristics. The growing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients continues to drive the market for alginates globally.
- Covers
- Sodium alginate
- Alginic acid
- Propylene glycol alginate (PGA)
- Calcium alginate
- Potassium alginate
- Ammonium alginate
- Alginate powder
- Examples
- DuPont Danisco GRINDSTED Alginate
- FMC BioPolymer Protanal
- Kimica Alginate
- Bright Moon Seaweed Alginate
- Cargill Alginate
Codes often confused with 3913.10
Common mistake. This code is specific to alginic acid and its derivatives; it can be confused with 391390 (other natural polymers) if the product is a different type of natural gum or polysaccharide.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 391310, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 391310 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 Netherlands $32M 16% of world exports
- 2 France $30M 15% of world exports
- 3 Japan $28M 14% of world exports
World total: $201M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $77M 18% of world imports
- 2 Japan $31M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $28M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $426M 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 code for 3913.10
Brazil does not split HS 3913.10: its NCM code is 3913.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 39.13 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3913.10
What is HS code 391310?
HS code 391310 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Polymers, natural; alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms. Alginic acid, its salts (like sodium alginate), and esters (like propylene glycol alginate) in primary forms are natural polymers derived primarily from brown seaweed. These biopolymers are highly valued in international trade for their gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties, making them essential in the food, pharmaceutical, and textile industries. Major importers include countries with large food processing and pharmaceutical sectors, such as China, the USA, and Germany. Exporters are typically countries with significant seaweed harvesting and processing capabilities, like China, Norway, and Chile. The trade involves various grades, with purity and viscosity being key determinants of application. Understanding the specific salt or ester form is crucial, as each offers distinct functional characteristics. The growing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients continues to drive the market for alginates globally.
What products fall under HS code 391310?
Sodium alginate, Alginic acid, Propylene glycol alginate (PGA), Calcium alginate, Potassium alginate, Ammonium alginate, Alginate powder
What are common misclassifications for HS code 391310?
This code is specific to alginic acid and its derivatives; it can be confused with 391390 (other natural polymers) if the product is a different type of natural gum or polysaccharide.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 391310?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 391310 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($32M, 16% of world exports), France ($30M) and Japan ($28M). World exports came to about $201M, 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 391310?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 391310 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($77M, 18% of world imports), Japan ($31M) and the Netherlands ($28M). World imports came to about $426M, 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 391310 structured?
HS code 391310 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (39) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (13) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 391310?
In Brazil, HS code 391310 is NCM 3913.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.