Product classification
HS code for Gluconic acid: 2918.16
Acids, carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), gluconic acid, its salts and esters.
Classification of gluconic acid under HS 2918.16
Gluconic acid and its derivatives are classified under HS code 2918.16. This code is situated within Chapter 29, which covers organic chemicals. Specifically, heading 2918 is reserved for carboxylic acids with additional oxygen functions and their derivatives. Gluconic acid is a carboxylic acid that also contains alcohol functional groups (specifically, it is a pentahydroxyhexanoic acid), placing it firmly within this heading. The subheading 2918.16 is a specific provision for gluconic acid, its salts (such as sodium or calcium gluconate), and its esters. The classification is determined by the chemical structure of the molecule. As an organic compound produced typically through the enzymatic oxidation of glucose, it is treated as a distinct chemical entity for customs purposes. The inclusion of salts and esters in the same subheading simplifies the classification of common industrial derivatives. Sodium gluconate, for instance, is widely used as a chelating agent in industrial cleaning and as a concrete retarder in construction. Calcium gluconate is a common mineral supplement. Because these are salts of the parent acid, they do not move to other chapters but remain within the specific chemical designation of 2918.16, provided they are not put up in measured doses for retail sale as medicaments.
- Covers
- Pure gluconic acid solution
- Sodium gluconate (industrial grade)
- Calcium gluconate (bulk powder)
- Potassium gluconate
- Glucono-delta-lactone (GDL)
- Magnesium gluconate
- Also under 2918.16
- Jungbunzlauer (gluconates)
- PMP Fermentation Products (gluconic acid)
- Roquette (gluconates)
Codes often confused with 2918.16
Common mistake. Gluconic acid is sometimes confused with other hydroxy-acids like lactic acid (2918.11) or citric acid (2918.14). While they share similar functional groups, the carbon chain length and specific structure differ. Another common error is classifying gluconates as medicaments under 3004 if they are intended for health use. However, unless they are in measured doses or retail packaging for therapeutic use, they must remain in 2918.16 as separate chemically defined compounds.
Top exporters and importers of HS 291816 (the code used for gluconic acid), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 291816 (the code used for gluconic acid) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 60% 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 291816, not only gluconic acid.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $177M 60% of world exports
- 2 India $30M 10% of world exports
- 3 France $29M 9.7% of world exports
World total: $296M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $43M 12% of world imports
- 2 Portugal $25M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $19M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $351M 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 gluconic acid
Brazil splits HS 2918.16 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2918.16.10Calcium gluconate
- 2918.16.90Other gluconic acid, its salts and esters
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about gluconic acid
What is the HS code for Gluconic acid?
The HS code for Gluconic acid is 291816 (Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), gluconic acid, its salts and esters). The HS code for gluconic acid, as well as its salts and esters, is 2918.16.
How do I classify Gluconic acid for customs?
Gluconic acid is classified under HS code 291816 — Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), gluconic acid, its salts and esters. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is sodium gluconate classified under the same code?
Yes, sodium gluconate is a salt of gluconic acid and is specifically included in the subheading 2918.16 along with the acid itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of gluconic acid (HS 291816)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 291816 (the code used for gluconic acid) in UN Comtrade data were China ($177M, 60% of world exports), India ($30M) and France ($29M). World exports came to about $296M, 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 gluconic acid (HS 291816)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 291816 (the code used for gluconic acid) in UN Comtrade data were India ($43M, 12% of world imports), Portugal ($25M) and the United States ($19M). World imports came to about $351M, 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 Gluconic acid the same in all countries?
The base HS code 291816 for Gluconic 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 gluconic acid in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 291816 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for gluconic acid depends on the product's details: 2918.16.10 (Calcium gluconate), 2918.16.90 (Other gluconic acid, its salts and esters).