Product classification
HS code for Methane: 2901.10
Acyclic hydrocarbons, saturated.
Classification of methane under HS 2901.10
Methane is classified under HS code 2901.10 because it is a saturated acyclic hydrocarbon. Within the Harmonized System, Chapter 29 is dedicated to organic chemicals, and heading 2901 specifically covers acyclic hydrocarbons. Methane (CH4) is the simplest alkane and the primary member of the saturated acyclic series. For a product to be classified under 2901.10, it must be a separate chemically defined compound. This means the methane must be of high purity, typically 95% or higher by volume, intended for laboratory use, chemical synthesis, or specialized industrial applications. The classification logic follows the chemical structure of the molecule, which consists of a single carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms via single covalent bonds, meeting the definition of a saturated hydrocarbon. When methane is traded as a pure chemical reagent rather than a bulk energy source, this code ensures it is regulated alongside other basic organic building blocks like ethane and butane.
- Covers
- Chemically pure methane gas
- Methane for laboratory analysis
- High-purity methane for semiconductor manufacturing
- Liquid methane (chemically pure)
- Methane used as a chemical intermediate
- Also under 2901.10
- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
- N-Heptane (solvent)
- Isooctane (fuel standard)
- ExxonMobil (producer)
Codes often confused with 2901.10
Common mistake. Methane is most frequently misclassified under HS code 2711.11 or 2711.21. These codes refer to natural gas in liquefied or gaseous states, respectively. The primary distinction is the level of purity and the intended use. Natural gas is a mixture of various hydrocarbons (methane, ethane, propane) and impurities, whereas 2901.10 is reserved for methane as a distinct, isolated chemical compound. Importers often confuse these when methane is used for fuel, but if the product is not chemically pure, it must remain in Chapter 27.
Top exporters and importers of HS 290110 (the code used for methane), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 290110 (the code used for methane) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 79% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 36% 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 290110, not only methane.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $7.1B 79% of world exports
- 2 Canada $788M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$231M 2.6% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $8.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $3.1B 36% of world imports
- 2 United States $826M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 India $723M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $8.6B 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 methane
Brazil classifies methane under NCM 2901.10.00: HS 2901.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about methane
What is the HS code for Methane?
The HS code for Methane is 290110 (Acyclic hydrocarbons; saturated). The HS code for chemically pure methane is 2901.10, which falls under the category of saturated acyclic hydrocarbons.
How do I classify Methane for customs?
Methane is classified under HS code 290110 — Acyclic hydrocarbons; saturated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is methane for fuel classified under 2901.10?
No, methane used as a fuel source, typically in the form of natural gas, is classified under heading 2711. Code 2901.10 is strictly for chemically pure methane.
Which countries are the top exporters of methane (HS 290110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 290110 (the code used for methane) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.1B, 79% of world exports), Canada ($788M) and Russia (about $231M). World exports came to about $8.9B, 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 methane (HS 290110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 290110 (the code used for methane) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.1B, 36% of world imports), the United States ($826M) and India ($723M). World imports came to about $8.6B, 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 Methane the same in all countries?
The base HS code 290110 for Methane 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 methane in Brazil?
In Brazil, methane (HS 290110) is classified under NCM 2901.10.00.