Product classification
HS code for Acetic acid: 2915.21
Acids, saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, acetic acid.
Classification of acetic acid under HS 2915.21
Acetic acid, chemically represented as CH3COOH, is classified under HS code 291521. This classification falls within Chapter 29 of the Harmonized System, which is dedicated to organic chemicals. Specifically, heading 2915 covers saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their derivatives. The subheading 291521 precisely identifies acetic acid, distinguishing it as the primary compound within the acetic acid group. This code is assigned due to its distinct chemical structure as a saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acid, characterized by a single carboxyl group. Its fundamental role as a chemical building block and its specific chemical identity are the primary determinants for this precise classification, separating it from its salts, esters, or anhydrides.
- Covers
- Glacial acetic acid (pure, water-free acetic acid)
- Diluted acetic acid solutions (e.g., concentrated vinegar for industrial use)
- Acetic acid in various purity grades for laboratory reagents
- Acetic acid for industrial synthesis applications
- Also under 2915.21
- Celanese Acetic Acid
- Eastman Acetic Acid
- BP Acetic Acid
- LyondellBasell Acetic Acid
Codes often confused with 2915.21
Common mistake. Acetic acid (291521) is often confused with its derivatives. HS code 291529 covers "Acetic acid and its salts n.e.c. in item no. 2915.2." This code is specifically for salts of acetic acid, such as sodium acetate or potassium acetate, which are ionic compounds, distinct from the free acid. Another common misclassification involves HS code 291539, which is designated for "Esters of acetic acid n.e.c. in item no. 2915.3." Esters, such as ethyl acetate, are formed by the reaction of acetic acid with an alcohol and possess different chemical properties and applications than the parent acid. It is crucial to differentiate between the acid, its salts, and its esters based on their chemical structure and functional groups.
Top exporters and importers of HS 291521 (the code used for acetic acid), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 291521 (the code used for acetic acid) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 29% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 291521, not only acetic acid.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $401M 29% of world exports
- 2 China $347M 26% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $129M 9.5% of world exports
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $470M 29% of world imports
- 2 Germany $138M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $137M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 acetic acid
Brazil classifies acetic acid under NCM 2915.21.00: HS 2915.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
Questions about acetic acid
What is the HS code for Acetic acid?
The HS code for Acetic acid is 291521 (Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; acetic acid). The HS code for Acetic acid is 291521. This code specifically identifies the pure chemical compound, distinguishing it from its various derivatives like salts or esters within the broader category of saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids.
How do I classify Acetic acid for customs?
Acetic acid is classified under HS code 291521 — Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; acetic acid. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What are the primary industrial applications of Acetic acid?
Acetic acid is a versatile chemical widely used in various industries. Its primary applications include the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), which is a precursor to polymers, and acetic anhydride. It is also essential in manufacturing cellulose acetate for photographic films and textile fibers, as well as in the production of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and as a solvent in numerous chemical processes.
Which countries are the top exporters of acetic acid (HS 291521)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 291521 (the code used for acetic acid) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($401M, 29% of world exports), China ($347M) and Malaysia ($129M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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 acetic acid (HS 291521)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 291521 (the code used for acetic acid) in UN Comtrade data were India ($470M, 29% of world imports), Germany ($138M) and Mexico ($137M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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.
Is the HS code for Acetic acid the same in all countries?
The base HS code 291521 for Acetic acid is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for acetic acid in Brazil?
In Brazil, acetic acid (HS 291521) is classified under NCM 2915.21.00.