Product classification
HS code for Ionones: 2914.23
Ketones, cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic, without other oxygen function, ionones and methylionones.
Classification of ionones under HS 2914.23
Ionones are a series of closely related chemical substances that are part of the ketone family, widely used in the fragrance and flavor industries for their distinct violet-like scent. They are classified under HS code 2914.23. Chapter 29 covers organic chemicals, and heading 2914 specifically addresses ketones and quinones. Subheading 2914.23 is dedicated to ionones and methylionones. These are cyclenic ketones that do not contain other oxygen functions (such as alcohol or aldehyde groups). The classification is based on the molecular structure of the compound. Even though ionones are often derived from citral through chemical synthesis, their final structure as a cyclic ketone dictates their placement in this specific category. This code covers both the alpha and beta isomers, which are the most common forms found in industrial trade.
- Covers
- Alpha-ionone
- Beta-ionone
- Gamma-ionone
- Methylionones
- Pseudo-ionone
- Commercial ionone mixtures
- Also under 2914.23
- Givaudan Ionones
- Firmenich Ionones
- Symrise Ionones
- IFF Ionones
Codes often confused with 2914.23
Common mistake. Ionones are frequently misclassified under HS code 3302.90, which covers mixtures of odoriferous substances used as raw materials in industry. While ionones are odoriferous, heading 2914 takes precedence if the product is a separate chemically defined organic compound. They may also be confused with 2914.29 (other cyclanic ketones), but 2914.23 is the specific sub-heading that must be used for ionones.
Top exporters and importers of HS 291423 (the code used for ionones), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 291423 (the code used for ionones) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, 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 291423, not only ionones.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $52M 31% of world exports
- 2 Germany $43M 25% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $35M 21% of world exports
World total: $169M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $31M 16% of world imports
- 2 India $21M 11% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $17M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $192M 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 ionones
Brazil splits HS 2914.23 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2914.23.10Ionones
- 2914.23.20Methylionones
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about ionones
What is the HS code for Ionones?
The HS code for Ionones is 291423 (Ketones; cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic, without other oxygen function, ionones and methylionones). The HS code for ionones and methylionones is 2914.23.
How do I classify Ionones for customs?
Ionones is classified under HS code 291423 — Ketones; cyclanic, cyclenic or cycloterpenic, without other oxygen function, ionones and methylionones. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are ionones classified differently if used in food?
No, even when used as flavoring agents in the food industry, separate chemically defined ionones remain classified under 2914.23 based on their chemical structure.
Which countries are the top exporters of ionones (HS 291423)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 291423 (the code used for ionones) in UN Comtrade data were China ($52M, 31% of world exports), Germany ($43M) and Switzerland ($35M). World exports came to about $169M, 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 ionones (HS 291423)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 291423 (the code used for ionones) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($31M, 16% of world imports), India ($21M) and Singapore ($17M). World imports came to about $192M, 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 Ionones the same in all countries?
The base HS code 291423 for Ionones 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 ionones in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 291423 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for ionones depends on the product's details: 2914.23.10 (Ionones), 2914.23.20 (Methylionones).