Product classification
HS code for Stearic acid: 3823.11
Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining, stearic acid.
Classification of stearic acid under HS 3823.11
Stearic acid of industrial grade is classified under HS code 3823.11. This classification falls under Chapter 38, which covers miscellaneous chemical products. Heading 3823 specifically addresses industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids and acid oils from refining. Stearic acid (octadecanoic acid) is a saturated fatty acid frequently derived from animal fats or vegetable oils through the process of hydrolysis and subsequent distillation or fractionation. For classification under 3823.11, the product must be of an industrial grade. In the context of the Harmonized System, this typically means it is a mixture of fatty acids where stearic acid is the predominant component, but it is not a chemically pure isolated isomer. Commercial stearic acid often contains significant proportions of palmitic acid and other fatty acids. The industrial grade is used extensively in the manufacture of soaps, cosmetics, rubber vulcanization, and plastics. The classification is determined by the purity level and the intended industrial application. If the product is a mixture of various fatty acids obtained from the processing of fats and oils, and it is sold for industrial use rather than as a laboratory reagent, it remains firmly within 3823.11.
- Covers
- Commercial stearic acid (double or triple pressed)
- Industrial grade octadecanoic acid
- Stearic acid flakes for rubber processing
- Stearic acid beads for cosmetic formulation
- Stearin (industrial grade)
- Also under 3823.11
- Wilmar Stearic Acid
- KLK Oleo Stearic Acid
- IOI Oleochemical Stearic Acid
- BASF Stearic Acid
- Emery Oleochemicals Stearic Acid
Codes often confused with 3823.11
Common mistake. Stearic acid is often confused with HS code 2915.70. The distinction lies in the purity of the substance. Chapter 29 is reserved for separate chemically defined compounds. If the stearic acid is 90% or more pure (by weight, calculated on the anhydrous product), it must be classified under 2915.70. Most industrial-grade products do not meet this threshold and thus belong in 3823.11. Another misclassification is 1519, which was an older code used in some jurisdictions but has largely been replaced by 3823 in the modern HS nomenclature.
Top exporters and importers of HS 382311 (the code used for stearic acid), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 382311 (the code used for stearic acid) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 16% 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 382311, not only stearic acid.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $759M 47% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $496M 31% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $99M 6.1% of world exports
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $258M 16% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $115M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 United States $109M 6.6% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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 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 stearic acid
Brazil classifies stearic acid under NCM 3823.11.00: HS 3823.11 with 00 added.
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 stearic acid
What is the HS code for Stearic acid?
The HS code for Stearic acid is 382311 (Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining; stearic acid). The HS code for industrial-grade stearic acid is 3823.11. Chemically pure stearic acid (90%+) is 2915.70.
How do I classify Stearic acid for customs?
Stearic acid is classified under HS code 382311 — Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, acid oils from refining; stearic acid. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is stearic acid classified as a vegetable oil?
No, while it is derived from oils, stearic acid is a fatty acid resulting from the chemical breakdown (hydrolysis) of those oils and is classified as a chemical product in Chapter 38, not as a fat or oil in Chapter 15.
Which countries are the top exporters of stearic acid (HS 382311)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 382311 (the code used for stearic acid) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($759M, 47% of world exports), Malaysia ($496M) and the Netherlands ($99M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of stearic acid (HS 382311)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 382311 (the code used for stearic acid) in UN Comtrade data were China ($258M, 16% of world imports), Malaysia ($115M) and the United States ($109M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 Stearic acid the same in all countries?
The base HS code 382311 for Stearic 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 stearic acid in Brazil?
In Brazil, stearic acid (HS 382311) is classified under NCM 3823.11.00.