HS Code 2912Aldehydes, whether or not with other oxygen function; cyclic polymers of aldehydes; paraformaldehyde
10 six-digit codes · Heading 12 of 42 in Chapter 29 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
HS code 2912 covers aldehydes such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde and vanillin, plus cyclic polymers of aldehydes and paraformaldehyde. This page shows how to pick the right subheading and where to look for shipment records.
Heading 2912 is finely cut: 10 six-digit codes, 291211 to 291260, all of them under “Aldehydes, whether or not with other oxygen function; cyclic polymers of aldehydes; paraformaldehyde”. At that depth it is the exact wording of the code, not of the heading, that settles a classification. The heading is number 12 of 42 in Chapter 29, Organic chemicals, which runs to 410 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 2912
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 291211 | Aldehydes; acyclic, without other oxygen function, methanal (formaldehyde) |
| 291212 | Aldehydes; acyclic, without other oxygen function, ethanal (acetaldehyde) |
| 291219 | Aldehydes; acyclic, without other oxygen function, n.e.c. in item no. 2912.1 |
| 291221 | Aldehydes; cyclic, without other oxygen function, benzaldehyde |
| 291229 | Aldehydes; cyclic, without other oxygen function, other than benzaldehyde |
| 291241 | Aldehydes; aldehyde-ethers, aldehyde-phenols and aldehydes with other oxygen function, vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) |
| 291242 | Aldehydes; aldehyde-ethers, aldehyde-phenols and aldehydes with other oxygen function, ethylvanillin (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) |
| 291249 | Aldehyde-alcohols, aldehyde-ethers, aldehyde-phenols and aldehydes with other oxygen function; other than vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) and ethylvanillin (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde) |
| 291250 | Aldehydes; cyclic polymers of aldehydes |
| 291260 | Paraformaldehyde |
What HS code 2912 covers
Some traders call it HSN code 2912. The number and the goods are the same.
An aldehyde is an organic chemical with a carbonyl group at the end of its carbon chain. The heading takes in plain aldehydes with no other oxygen group. It also takes in aldehydes that carry another oxygen group, such as vanillin.
Two more groups sit here as well. One is the cyclic polymers of aldehydes. The other is paraformaldehyde, which has its own code. Close relatives, such as acetals and ketones, are filed in other headings of Chapter 29. See the comparison below.
HS 2912 six-digit codes: formaldehyde to paraformaldehyde
Many people search with a dot in the code, so here is each subheading in the dotted style with a plain product name.
- 2912.11: formaldehyde (methanal)
- 2912.12: acetaldehyde (ethanal)
- 2912.19: other acyclic aldehydes
- 2912.21: benzaldehyde
- 2912.29: other cyclic aldehydes
- 2912.41: vanillin
- 2912.42: ethylvanillin
- 2912.49: other aldehyde-alcohols, aldehyde-ethers and aldehyde-phenols
- 2912.50: cyclic polymers of aldehydes
- 2912.60: paraformaldehyde
How to choose the right 2912 subheading
Start with the chemical name on the invoice or the safety data sheet. Then work through three questions.
First, does the product have another oxygen group besides the aldehyde? If yes, look at 2912.41, 2912.42 and 2912.49. Vanillin and ethylvanillin have their own codes. Every other product of this kind goes to 2912.49.
Second, if there is no other oxygen group, check the shape. Benzaldehyde is the named cyclic example.
Third, check whether the product is a polymer. Paraformaldehyde uses 2912.60, not the formaldehyde code.
Treat 2912.19, 2912.29 and 2912.49 as catch-all codes. Use them only after you have ruled out the named codes. If you are still unsure, try the HS code classifier.
2912 vs related headings 2911, 2913 and 2914
Heading 2911 is for acetals and hemiacetals. They are related to aldehydes, but they are a different kind of compound, so they do not belong under 2912.
If an aldehyde has been treated in one of these ways, check 2913 before you settle on 2912.
Heading 2914 is for ketones and quinones. The names look alike, but a ketone is not an aldehyde. Plain alcohols are further back in the chapter, under 2905 for acyclic alcohols and 2906 for cyclic ones.
HS 2912 import and export data: buyers and suppliers
A correct code lets you search customs records for the same goods. You can look at import records, export records, or the companies behind them.
EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets.
Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.
Nearby headings in Chapter 29
- 2906Alcohols; cyclic, and their halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated…6 codes
- 2907Phenols; monophenols, polyphenols, and phenol-alcohols9 codes
- 2908Phenols or phenol-alcohols; halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated…5 codes
- 2909Ethers, ether-alcohols, ether-phenols, ether-alcohol-phenols, alcohol…10 codes
- 2910Epoxides, epoxyalcohols, epoxyphenols and epoxyethers; with a three-membered…6 codes
- 2911Acetals and hemiacetals; whether or not with other oxygen function, and their…1 code
- 2913Aldehydes; halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of…1 code
- 2914Ketones and quinones; whether or not with other oxygen function, and their…16 codes
- 2915Acids; saturated acyclic monocarboxylic acids and their anhydrides, halides…16 codes
- 2916Acids; unsaturated acyclic monocarboxylic, cyclic monocarboxylic, their…12 codes
- 2917Acids; polycarboxylic acids, their anhydrides, halides, peroxides and…13 codes
- 2918Acids; carboxylic acid with additional oxygen function and their anhydrides…16 codes
Who ships under 2912?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the 10 codes beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section VI: Products of the Chemical or Allied Industries, chapters 28–38.
HS Code 2912: common questions
What is HS code 2912?
HS code 2912 is the heading for aldehydes, whether or not they have another oxygen function. It also covers cyclic polymers of aldehydes and paraformaldehyde.
What is the HS code for formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde, also called methanal, is classified under 291211. Acetaldehyde, also called ethanal, has its own code, 291212.
What is the HS code for paraformaldehyde?
Paraformaldehyde has its own code, 291260. Do not file it under the formaldehyde code, 291211.
What is the HS code for benzaldehyde?
Benzaldehyde is classified under 291221. Other cyclic aldehydes without another oxygen function go under 291229.
What is the HS code for other acyclic aldehydes?
Use this catch-all only after you have ruled out 291211 and 291212.
What is the difference between HS 2912 and 2913?
Heading 2913 holds halogenated, sulphonated, nitrated or nitrosated derivatives of the products in 2912. Heading 2912 holds the aldehydes themselves.
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