Product classification

HS code for Sodium benzoate: 2916.31

Acids, aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoic acid, its salts and esters.

Classification of sodium benzoate under HS 2916.31

Sodium benzoate is classified under HS code 2916.31 because it is a salt of benzoic acid, which is an aromatic monocarboxylic acid. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Chapter 29 notes of the Harmonized System, organic chemicals that are separate chemically defined compounds are classified here. Heading 2916 specifically covers unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids, cyclic monocarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, and peroxyacids, as well as their derivatives. Since sodium benzoate is the sodium salt (a derivative) of benzoic acid, it is explicitly placed in the subheading 2916.31. This classification remains consistent regardless of whether the product is intended for use as a food preservative, a pharmaceutical excipient, or an industrial corrosion inhibitor, provided it meets the purity standards of a chemically defined compound.

Covers
  • Food grade sodium benzoate powder
  • Industrial grade sodium benzoate granules
  • Sodium salt of benzoic acid (C7H5NaO2)
  • Preservative-grade sodium benzoate for beverages
  • Technical grade sodium benzoate for anti-corrosive applications
Also under 2916.31
  • Emerald Kalama Chemical (sodium benzoate)
  • BASF (benzoic acid)
  • Lanxess (benzoic acid)
  • DSM (sodium benzoate)

Codes often confused with 2916.31

Common mistake. Sodium benzoate is frequently misclassified under HS code 2915, which covers saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids like acetic acid. However, because benzoic acid contains a benzene ring, it is aromatic and must be classified under 2916. Another common error is attempting to classify it under 3824 as a prepared chemical mixture; this is incorrect if the product is a pure, chemically defined salt. Furthermore, it should not be confused with 2918, which is reserved for carboxylic acids with additional oxygen functions (like citric acid).

29.15Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives29.16Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic, cyclic monocarboxylic, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and peroxyacids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives38.24Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations of the chemical or allied industries (including those consisting of mixtures of natural products), not elsewhere specified or included29.18Acids; carboxylic acid with additional oxygen function and their anhydrides, halides, peroxides, peroxyacids; their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives

Top exporters and importers of HS 291631 (the code used for sodium benzoate), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 291631 (the code used for sodium benzoate) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% 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 291631, not only sodium benzoate.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $170M
  2. 2 Netherlands $168M
  3. 3 India $65M

World total: $644M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $73M
  2. 2 Germany $61M
  3. 3 India $47M

World total: $680M 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 sodium benzoate

Brazil splits HS 2916.31 into 7 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.

Questions about sodium benzoate

What is the HS code for Sodium benzoate?

The HS code for Sodium benzoate is 291631 (Acids; aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoic acid, its salts and esters). The HS code for sodium benzoate is 2916.31, which specifically covers benzoic acid, its salts, and its esters.

How do I classify Sodium benzoate for customs?

Sodium benzoate is classified under HS code 291631 — Acids; aromatic monocarboxylic acids, benzoic acid, its salts and esters. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is sodium benzoate classified differently if used in cosmetics?

No, as long as it is a separate chemically defined compound, it remains under 2916.31. If it is part of a complex mixture of preservatives, it might move to Chapter 38.

Which countries are the top exporters of sodium benzoate (HS 291631)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 291631 (the code used for sodium benzoate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($170M, 26% of world exports), the Netherlands ($168M) and India ($65M). World exports came to about $644M, 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 sodium benzoate (HS 291631)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 291631 (the code used for sodium benzoate) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($73M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($61M) and India ($47M). World imports came to about $680M, 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 Sodium benzoate the same in all countries?

The base HS code 291631 for Sodium benzoate 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 sodium benzoate in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 291631 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for sodium benzoate depends on the product's details: 2916.31.10 (Benzoic acid), 2916.31.21 (Sodium benzoate), 2916.31.22 (Ammonium benzoate), 2916.31.29 (Other salts of benzoic acid), 2916.31.31 (Methyl benzoate), 2916.31.32 (Benzyl benzoate), and more.