Product classification
HS code for Agar: 1302.31
Mucilages and thickeners, agar-agar, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products.
Classification of agar under HS 1302.31
Agar, also known as agar-agar, is classified under HS code 130231. This code is found in Chapter 13, which covers lac, gums, resins, and other vegetable saps and extracts. Heading 1302 specifically includes vegetable saps and extracts, pectic substances, and mucilages and thickeners derived from vegetable products. Subheading 130231 is the specific designation for agar-agar, whether or not it has been modified. Agar is a gelatinous substance derived from the cell walls of certain species of red algae (Rhodophyceae). The classification is based on the origin of the material and its primary state as a vegetable-derived thickener. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, agar-agar remains in this heading even if it has been treated with chemical agents or modified to enhance its gelling properties, provided it has not been mixed with other food ingredients to the point of becoming a prepared foodstuff. This classification is vital for distinguishing natural vegetable thickeners from animal-based gelatins or synthetic polymers.
- Covers
- Agar-agar in powder form
- Agar-agar in flakes or strips
- Bacteriological agar (used as a culture medium)
- Modified agar-agar for industrial thickening
- Food-grade agar used as a gelling agent
- Kanten (the Japanese term for agar)
- Also under 1302.31
- NOW Foods Agar Powder
- Bob's Red Mill Agar-Agar Powder
- Sigma-Aldrich Bacteriological Agar
- Kanto Chemical Agar
- Eden Foods Agar Agar Flakes
Codes often confused with 1302.31
Common mistake. Agar is frequently confused with HS code 350300, which covers gelatin and gelatin derivatives. However, gelatin is of animal origin (collagen), whereas agar is strictly vegetable-based. Another common misclassification is HS code 210690 (food preparations not elsewhere specified), which might be used if the agar is pre-mixed with sugar or flavorings. Additionally, some importers mistakenly use HS code 3913, which covers natural polymers in primary forms. However, because agar is specifically named in heading 1302, GRI 1 dictates that the specific heading takes precedence over the general polymer heading.
Top exporters and importers of HS 130231 (the code used for agar), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 130231 (the code used for agar) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 16% 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 130231, not only agar.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $79M 29% of world exports
- 2 Morocco $58M 22% of world exports
- 3 Spain $44M 16% of world exports
World total: $269M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $38M 16% of world imports
- 2 United States $35M 14% of world imports
- 3 Spain $17M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $243M 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 agar
Brazil classifies agar under NCM 1302.31.00: HS 1302.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about agar
What is the HS code for Agar?
The HS code for Agar is 130231 (Mucilages and thickeners; agar-agar, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products). The specific HS code for agar-agar, derived from vegetable products, is 130231.
How do I classify Agar for customs?
Agar is classified under HS code 130231 — Mucilages and thickeners; agar-agar, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is agar classified differently if it is for laboratory use?
No, even high-purity bacteriological agar used in laboratories is classified under 130231, as the HS code is based on the substance's nature rather than its end-use purity level.
Which countries are the top exporters of agar (HS 130231)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 130231 (the code used for agar) in UN Comtrade data were China ($79M, 29% of world exports), Morocco ($58M) and Spain ($44M). World exports came to about $269M, 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 agar (HS 130231)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 130231 (the code used for agar) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($38M, 16% of world imports), the United States ($35M) and Spain ($17M). World imports came to about $243M, 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 Agar the same in all countries?
The base HS code 130231 for Agar 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 agar in Brazil?
In Brazil, agar (HS 130231) is classified under NCM 1302.31.00.