Product classification

HS code for Palmitic acid: 2915.70

Acids, saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters.

Classification of palmitic acid under HS 2915.70

Palmitic acid, also known as hexadecanoic acid, is a saturated long-chain fatty acid classified under Chapter 29 of the Harmonized System, which encompasses organic chemicals. Specifically, heading 2915 covers saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their derivatives. Subheading 2915.70 is dedicated to palmitic acid, stearic acid, and their respective salts and esters. This classification is determined by the chemical purity and molecular structure of the substance. For a product to be classified here, it must generally be a separate chemically defined compound, typically with a purity level exceeding 90 percent. Palmitic acid is naturally occurring in various fats and oils but is isolated for industrial, pharmaceutical, and laboratory use. The classification remains consistent whether the acid is in its pure form or as a salt or ester derivative, provided it meets the criteria for organic chemicals under Chapter 29. This code ensures that pure chemical substances are distinguished from industrial mixtures or crude oils found in other chapters.

Covers
  • Pure palmitic acid (hexadecanoic acid)
  • Sodium palmitate (salt of palmitic acid)
  • Methyl palmitate (ester of palmitic acid)
  • Ethyl palmitate
  • Potassium palmitate
  • Palmitic acid salts for laboratory use
Also under 2915.70
  • Wilmar Palmitic Acid
  • KLK Oleo Stearic Acid
  • BASF Magnesium Stearate
  • Croda Isopropyl Palmitate

Codes often confused with 2915.70

Common mistake. Palmitic acid is frequently confused with industrial fatty acid mixtures classified under HS code 3823.19. While 2915.70 is for chemically defined compounds, 3823.19 covers industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids that are mixtures of various chain lengths. Additionally, it may be confused with crude palm oil under heading 1511, which is the raw source material but lacks the chemical isolation required for Chapter 29.

3823.19Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining; (other than stearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil fatty acids)15.11Palm oil and its fractions; whether or not refined, but not chemically modified

Top exporters and importers of HS 291570 (the code used for palmitic acid), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 291570 (the code used for palmitic acid) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 8.4% 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 291570, not only palmitic acid.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Indonesia $507M
  2. 2 Malaysia $306M
  3. 3 India $171M

World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $118M
  2. 2 China $88M
  3. 3 Germany $74M

World total: $1.4B 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 palmitic acid

Brazil splits HS 2915.70 into 6 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

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

EU Regulatory Requirements

This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.

Questions about palmitic acid

What is the HS code for Palmitic acid?

The HS code for Palmitic acid is 291570 (Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters). The HS code for palmitic acid, its salts, and its esters is 2915.70.

How do I classify Palmitic acid for customs?

Palmitic acid is classified under HS code 291570 — Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids; palmitic acid, stearic acid, their salts and esters. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How does purity affect the classification of palmitic acid?

High-purity palmitic acid (usually above 90%) is classified in 2915.70 as a separate chemically defined compound, whereas lower-purity industrial grades or mixtures are classified under 3823.19.

Which countries are the top exporters of palmitic acid (HS 291570)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 291570 (the code used for palmitic acid) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($507M, 33% of world exports), Malaysia ($306M) and India ($171M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 palmitic acid (HS 291570)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 291570 (the code used for palmitic acid) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($118M, 8.4% of world imports), China ($88M) and Germany ($74M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 Palmitic acid the same in all countries?

The base HS code 291570 for Palmitic 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 palmitic acid in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 291570 into 6 NCM codes, so the right one for palmitic acid depends on the product's details: 2915.70.11 (Palmitic acid), 2915.70.19 (Palmitic acid salts and esters), 2915.70.20 (Stearic acid), 2915.70.31 (Zinc stearate), 2915.70.39 (Other salts of stearic acid), 2915.70.40 (Esters of stearic acid).