Product classification

HS code for Stearyl alcohol: 2905.17

Alcohols, saturated monohydric, dodecan-1-ol (lauryl alcohol), hexadecan-1-ol (cetyl alcohol) and octadecan-1-ol (stearyl alcohol).

Classification of stearyl alcohol under HS 2905.17

Stearyl alcohol, also known as octadecan-1-ol, is classified under HS code 2905.17. This classification is found within Chapter 29, which covers organic chemicals. Heading 2905 specifically addresses acyclic alcohols and their halogenated, sulfonated, nitrated, or nitrosated derivatives. Subheading 2905.17 is a specific designation for saturated monohydric alcohols, specifically dodecan-1-ol (lauryl alcohol), hexadecan-1-ol (cetyl alcohol), and octadecan-1-ol (stearyl alcohol). For a product to be classified under this code, it must be a separate chemically defined compound of high purity, typically 90% or higher by weight. Stearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol commonly used as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickening agent in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The classification is determined by the chemical structure (a straight-chain saturated alcohol with 18 carbon atoms) and the purity of the substance.

Covers
  • Pure octadecan-1-ol
  • Stearyl alcohol (chemically pure)
  • USP/NF grade stearyl alcohol
  • Octadecyl alcohol
  • Saturated C18 fatty alcohol
Also under 2905.17
  • Dove Body Wash (cetyl alcohol)
  • L'Oréal Hair Conditioner (stearyl alcohol)
  • BASF Fatty Alcohols
  • Croda Fatty Alcohols

Codes often confused with 2905.17

Common mistake. The most common misclassification for stearyl alcohol is HS code 3823.70, which covers industrial fatty alcohols. The distinction lies in the purity and composition; if the product is a mixture of various fatty alcohols (such as a blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohol, often called cetearyl alcohol), it must be classified under 3823.70. Only the pure, single-component alcohol belongs in 2905.17. It may also be confused with stearic acid (3823.19), which is a fatty acid rather than an alcohol.

3823.70Industrial fatty alcohols3823.19Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining; (other than stearic acid, oleic acid or tall oil fatty acids)

Top exporters and importers of HS 290517 (the code used for stearyl alcohol), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 290517 (the code used for stearyl alcohol) in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% 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 290517, not only stearyl alcohol.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Malaysia $405M
  2. 2 Indonesia $167M
  3. 3 Philippines $108M

World total: $862M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $165M
  2. 2 United States $72M
  3. 3 Japan $67M

World total: $687M 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 stearyl alcohol

Brazil splits HS 2905.17 into 3 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 stearyl alcohol

What is the HS code for Stearyl alcohol?

The HS code for Stearyl alcohol is 290517 (Alcohols; saturated monohydric, dodecan-1-ol (lauryl alcohol), hexadecan-1-ol (cetyl alcohol) and octadecan-1-ol (stearyl alcohol)). The HS code for chemically pure stearyl alcohol (octadecan-1-ol) is 2905.17.

How do I classify Stearyl alcohol for customs?

Stearyl alcohol is classified under HS code 290517 — Alcohols; saturated monohydric, dodecan-1-ol (lauryl alcohol), hexadecan-1-ol (cetyl alcohol) and octadecan-1-ol (stearyl alcohol). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What if the stearyl alcohol is mixed with cetyl alcohol?

If it is a mixture of fatty alcohols, it is classified under HS code 3823.70 as industrial fatty alcohols rather than a pure chemical.

Which countries are the top exporters of stearyl alcohol (HS 290517)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 290517 (the code used for stearyl alcohol) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($405M, 47% of world exports), Indonesia ($167M) and the Philippines ($108M). World exports came to about $862M, 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 stearyl alcohol (HS 290517)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 290517 (the code used for stearyl alcohol) in UN Comtrade data were China ($165M, 24% of world imports), the United States ($72M) and Japan ($67M). World imports came to about $687M, 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 Stearyl alcohol the same in all countries?

The base HS code 290517 for Stearyl alcohol 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 stearyl alcohol in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 290517 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for stearyl alcohol depends on the product's details: 2905.17.10 (Lauryl alcohol (dodecan-1-ol)), 2905.17.20 (Cetyl alcohol (hexadecan-1-ol)), 2905.17.30 (Stearyl alcohol (octadecan-1-ol)).