Product classification

HS code for Acrylic esters: 2916.12

Acids, unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, esters of acrylic acid.

Classification of acrylic esters under HS 2916.12

HS code 291612 is specifically assigned to "Esters of acrylic acid." Chapter 29 of the Harmonized System covers organic chemical compounds, and subheading 2916 focuses on unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids, and their derivatives. Acrylic esters are chemical derivatives formed by the esterification of acrylic acid, which is itself an unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acid. This classification is precise for chemical compounds that are esters of acrylic acid, serving as monomers for various polymerizations or as intermediates in chemical synthesis. Their distinct chemical structure as esters of acrylic acid places them accurately within this specific subheading.

Covers
  • Methyl acrylate
  • Ethyl acrylate
  • Butyl acrylate
  • 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate
  • Hydroxyethyl acrylate
  • Isobornyl acrylate
Also under 2916.12
  • BASF (butyl acrylate)
  • Dow Chemical (ethyl acrylate)
  • Arkema (methyl acrylate)
  • Mitsubishi Chemical (various acrylates)

Codes often confused with 2916.12

Common mistake. Common misclassifications for acrylic esters often involve related chemical compounds. HS code 291611 covers "Acrylic acid and its salts." The key distinction is that 291611 is for the parent acid or its ionic forms, whereas 291612 is for the ester derivatives. Another area of confusion is 291613, which covers "Methacrylic acid and its salts and esters." Methacrylic acid derivatives are structurally similar but contain an additional methyl group, making them chemically distinct from acrylic acid derivatives. Furthermore, while acrylic esters are monomers, they should not be confused with 390690, which covers "Acrylic polymers (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary forms." The esters are the building blocks, not the resulting polymers.

2916.11Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; acrylic acid and its salts2916.13Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; methacrylic acid and its salts3906.90Acrylic polymers; (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary forms

Top exporters and importers of HS 291612 (the code used for acrylic esters), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 291612 (the code used for acrylic esters) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 23% 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.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 291612, not only acrylic esters.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $575M
  2. 2 Germany $324M
  3. 3 United States $289M

World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 India $344M
  2. 2 Türkiye $219M
  3. 3 Germany $196M

World total: $2.9B 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 acrylic esters

Brazil splits HS 2916.12 into 5 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about acrylic esters

What is the HS code for Acrylic esters?

The HS code for Acrylic esters is 291612 (Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; esters of acrylic acid). The HS code for Acrylic esters is 291612, which specifically covers esters of acrylic acid within the category of unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their derivatives.

How do I classify Acrylic esters for customs?

Acrylic esters is classified under HS code 291612 — Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; esters of acrylic acid. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the difference between acrylic acid and acrylic esters for HS classification?

Acrylic acid (HS code 291611) is the parent carboxylic acid, an organic compound with a carboxyl group. Acrylic esters (HS code 291612) are derivatives of acrylic acid where the hydrogen of the carboxyl group is replaced by an alkyl or aryl group, forming an ester functional group.

Which countries are the top exporters of acrylic esters (HS 291612)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 291612 (the code used for acrylic esters) in UN Comtrade data were China ($575M, 23% of world exports), Germany ($324M) and the United States ($289M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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 acrylic esters (HS 291612)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 291612 (the code used for acrylic esters) in UN Comtrade data were India ($344M, 12% of world imports), Türkiye ($219M) and Germany ($196M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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 Acrylic esters the same in all countries?

The base HS code 291612 for Acrylic esters 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 acrylic esters in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 291612 into 5 NCM codes, so the right one for acrylic esters depends on the product's details: 2916.12.10 (Methyl acrylate), 2916.12.20 (Ethyl acrylate), 2916.12.30 (Butyl acrylate), 2916.12.40 (2-Ethylhexyl acrylate), 2916.12.90 (Other esters of acrylic acid).