Product classification
HS code for Alginate: 3913.10
Polymers, natural, alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms.
Classification of alginate under HS 3913.10
Alginates, including alginic acid and its various salts and esters, are classified under HS code 3913.10. This classification places the product in Chapter 39, which covers plastics and articles thereof. Specifically, heading 3913 is reserved for natural polymers and modified natural polymers that are not specified or included elsewhere, in primary forms. Alginates are polysaccharides derived from the cell walls of brown algae. Through chemical extraction and processing, the raw seaweed is transformed into a polymer (alginic acid) or its salts (such as sodium alginate). Because the resulting product is a chemically defined natural polymer, it is classified in the plastics chapter rather than the vegetable products chapter. The "primary form" designation means the alginate must be in the form of liquids, pastes, powders, granules, or flakes. These substances are essential in various industries, serving as thickeners in food, gelling agents in pharmaceuticals, and sizing agents in textiles.
- Covers
- Sodium alginate
- Potassium alginate
- Calcium alginate
- Alginic acid
- Propylene glycol alginate (PGA)
- Also under 3913.10
- DuPont Danisco GRINDSTED Alginate
- FMC BioPolymer Protanal
- Kimica Alginate
- Bright Moon Seaweed Alginate
- Cargill Alginate
Codes often confused with 3913.10
Common mistake. Alginates are often misclassified under HS code 1302.39, which covers "Other mucilages and thickeners derived from vegetable products." While alginates are derived from vegetables (seaweed), the HS Explanatory Notes for Chapter 39 clarify that natural polymers like alginic acid and its derivatives are specifically excluded from Chapter 13 and must be placed in 3913. Another error is 2106.90 for food-grade alginates; however, 3913.10 remains the correct code for the substance itself in primary form.
Top exporters and importers of HS 391310 (the code used for alginate), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 391310 (the code used for alginate) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 391310, not only alginate.
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 alginate
Brazil classifies alginate under NCM 3913.10.00: HS 3913.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about alginate
What is the HS code for Alginate?
The HS code for Alginate is 391310 (Polymers, natural; alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms).
How do I classify Alginate for customs?
Alginate is classified under HS code 391310 — Polymers, natural; alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for sodium alginate?
Sodium alginate is classified under HS code 3913.10.00.
Why is alginate in the plastics chapter?
The Harmonized System classifies all natural polymers in primary forms, such as alginic acid and hardened proteins, under Chapter 39 because they share chemical and structural characteristics with synthetic plastics and polymers.
Which countries are the top exporters of alginate (HS 391310)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 391310 (the code used for alginate) 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 alginate (HS 391310)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 391310 (the code used for alginate) 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.
Is the HS code for Alginate the same in all countries?
The base HS code 391310 for Alginate 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 alginate in Brazil?
In Brazil, alginate (HS 391310) is classified under NCM 3913.10.00.