Product classification

HS code for Liquefied butane: 2711.13

Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons, liquefied, butanes.

Classification of liquefied butane under HS 2711.13

Liquefied butane is classified under HS code 2711.13. This classification is determined by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1 and GRI 6. Chapter 27 of the Harmonized System covers mineral fuels, mineral oils, and products of their distillation. Within this chapter, heading 2711 is dedicated to petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons. The classification specifically targets the physical state of the product; because butane is a gas at standard temperature and pressure but is compressed or cooled into a liquid for transport, it falls under the 'liquefied' sub-category. Subheading 2711.13 is the specific provision for butanes. This code applies regardless of whether the butane is intended for use as a fuel, a chemical feedstock, or a propellant, provided it meets the technical description of a petroleum gas under the Chapter 27 notes.

Covers
  • Normal butane (n-butane) in liquefied form
  • Isobutane in liquefied form
  • Mixtures of butane isomers where butane predominates by weight
  • Liquefied butane used as fuel for lighters or camping stoves
  • Industrial grade liquefied butane
Also under 2711.13
  • ExxonMobil
  • Chevron
  • TotalEnergies
  • Saudi Aramco
  • Sinopec
  • various LPG distributors
  • Shell.

Codes often confused with 2711.13

Common mistake. Liquefied butane is frequently misclassified under HS code 2711.29, which is the category for petroleum gases in a gaseous state. The distinction is purely physical; if the product is pressurized in a tank as a liquid, 2711.13 is mandatory. Another common error involves HS code 2901.10, which covers saturated acyclic hydrocarbons. While butane is chemically a saturated acyclic hydrocarbon, Chapter 29 is generally reserved for separate chemically defined compounds of high purity. Most commercial butane contains enough impurities or is intended for fuel use such that Chapter 27 is the correct placement.

2711.29Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons; in gaseous state, other than natural gas2901.10Acyclic hydrocarbons; saturated

Top exporters and importers of HS 271113 (the code used for liquefied butane), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 271113 (the code used for liquefied butane) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 27% 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 271113, not only liquefied butane.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $4.6B
  2. 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$4.3B
  3. 3 Qatar* ~$2.3B

World total: $18.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 India $7.0B
  2. 2 China $4.2B
  3. 3 Indonesia $1.9B

World total: $25.7B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 liquefied butane

Brazil classifies liquefied butane under NCM 2711.13.00: HS 2711.13 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about liquefied butane

What is the HS code for Liquefied butane?

The HS code for Liquefied butane is 271113 (Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons; liquefied, butanes). The HS code for liquefied butane is 2711.13, which specifically covers liquefied butanes within the petroleum gas heading.

How do I classify Liquefied butane for customs?

Liquefied butane is classified under HS code 271113 — Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons; liquefied, butanes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is isobutane classified differently than normal butane?

No, both normal butane and isobutane are classified under HS code 2711.13 when they are in a liquefied state, as the code covers 'butanes' in the plural, encompassing all isomers.

Which countries are the top exporters of liquefied butane (HS 271113)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 271113 (the code used for liquefied butane) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($4.6B, 25% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $4.3B) and Qatar (about $2.3B). World exports came to about $18.9B, 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 liquefied butane (HS 271113)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 271113 (the code used for liquefied butane) in UN Comtrade data were India ($7.0B, 27% of world imports), China ($4.2B) and Indonesia ($1.9B). World imports came to about $25.7B, 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 Liquefied butane the same in all countries?

The base HS code 271113 for Liquefied butane 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 liquefied butane in Brazil?

In Brazil, liquefied butane (HS 271113) is classified under NCM 2711.13.00.