HS Code for Tartaric acid esters

Tartaric acid esters are classified under HS code 291813. This classification is part of Chapter 29, which covers organic chemicals. Specifically, Heading 2918 includes carboxylic acids with additional oxygen functions (such as alcohol, phenol, aldehyde, or ketone functions) and their derivatives. Tartaric acid is a dicarboxylic acid that also contains two hydroxyl (alcohol) groups, placing it and its derivatives firmly within this heading. Subheading 291813 is specifically reserved for the salts and esters of tartaric acid. These chemical compounds are formed through the esterification process, where the acid reacts with an alcohol. They are widely utilized in the food industry as emulsifiers (such as DATEM) and in the pharmaceutical industry as chiral building blocks or resolving agents.

Products Included

• Diethyl tartrate
• Dimethyl tartrate
• Dibutyl tartrate
• Diisopropyl tartrate
• Potassium antimonyl tartrate (as a salt)
• Monobutyl tartrate

Common Misclassification

The most common misclassification is with HS code 291812, which is the specific code for tartaric acid itself. Importers must distinguish between the pure acid and its esterified derivatives. Another potential error is classification under 291819, which is a "catch-all" category for other carboxylic acids with alcohol function. Because tartaric acid salts and esters are explicitly named in 291813, that code takes precedence over the general 291819 category.

FAQ

What is the HS code for diethyl tartrate?

The HS code for diethyl tartrate, an ester of tartaric acid, is 291813.

Are salts of tartaric acid classified differently than esters?

No, both the salts and the esters of tartaric acid are grouped together under the same HS code, 291813.