Product classification
HS code for Lactic acid: 2918.11
Acids, carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters.
Classification of lactic acid under HS 2918.11
Lactic acid is classified under HS code 2918.11. Chapter 29 of the Harmonized System covers organic chemicals. Heading 2918 is dedicated to carboxylic acids that contain an additional oxygen function, such as an alcohol, aldehyde, or ketone group. Lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic acid) contains both a carboxylic acid group and a hydroxyl (alcohol) group, which places it specifically in this heading. Subheading 2918.11 is the specific code for lactic acid, its salts (such as calcium lactate), and its esters (such as ethyl lactate). The classification is strictly based on the chemical structure of the molecule. Even if the lactic acid is used in food production or pharmaceuticals, its primary classification remains in Chapter 29 as a separate chemically defined organic compound. The Harmonized System prioritizes the chemical identity of the substance over its end-use, provided it is not a mixture or a retail-packed preparation. Lactic acid is produced either through chemical synthesis or the fermentation of carbohydrates, but the production method does not alter its classification under 2918.11.
- Covers
- Lactic acid (pure or technical grade)
- Calcium lactate
- Sodium lactate
- Ethyl lactate
- Butyl lactate
- Strontium lactate
- Magnesium lactate
- Also under 2918.11
- Corbion Lactic Acid
- Galactic Lactic Acid
- NatureWorks Ingeo (PLA)
- Purac Lactic Acid
- Jungbunzlauer Sodium Lactate
Codes often confused with 2918.11
Common mistake. Lactic acid is sometimes misclassified under 2915, which covers saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, but because it contains a hydroxyl group, it must move to 2918. Another common error is classifying mixtures containing lactic acid (like food additives) under 3824.99. If the product is a salt or ester of lactic acid, it remains in 2918.11, but if it is a complex mixture, it may fall under Chapter 38 or Chapter 21.
Top exporters and importers of HS 291811 (the code used for lactic acid), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 291811 (the code used for lactic acid) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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 291811, not only lactic acid.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $141M 21% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $132M 19% of world exports
- 3 Spain $87M 13% of world exports
World total: $688M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $89M 11% of world imports
- 2 Spain $79M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 Germany $60M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $813M 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 lactic acid
Brazil classifies lactic acid under NCM 2918.11.00: HS 2918.11 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about lactic acid
What is the HS code for Lactic acid?
The HS code for Lactic acid is 291811 (Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters). The HS code for lactic acid, including its salts and esters, is 2918.11.
How do I classify Lactic acid for customs?
Lactic acid is classified under HS code 291811 — Acids; carboxylic acids, (with alcohol function but without other oxygen function), lactic acid, its salts and esters. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are food-grade lactic acid and industrial lactic acid classified differently?
No, both are classified under 2918.11 as long as they are separate chemically defined compounds and not part of a complex mixture.
Which countries are the top exporters of lactic acid (HS 291811)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 291811 (the code used for lactic acid) in UN Comtrade data were China ($141M, 21% of world exports), Thailand ($132M) and Spain ($87M). World exports came to about $688M, 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 lactic acid (HS 291811)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 291811 (the code used for lactic acid) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($89M, 11% of world imports), Spain ($79M) and Germany ($60M). World imports came to about $813M, 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 Lactic acid the same in all countries?
The base HS code 291811 for Lactic 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 lactic acid in Brazil?
In Brazil, lactic acid (HS 291811) is classified under NCM 2918.11.00.