Harmonized System
U.S. exports of Acyclic Ethers (Excluding Diethyl Ether) (HS 290919) totaled $412.0M in August 2026.
Importers of Acyclic Ethers (Excluding Diethyl Ether) paid $693K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.66% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Acyclic Ethers (Excluding Diethyl Ether) imports of $7.0M in August 2026 ran 22% below the year-to-date monthly average of $9.0M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataMethyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE, 2909191400) is the commercially dominant compound in this heading, historically used as a gasoline oxygenate, though its domestic use has declined sharply due to groundwater contamination concerns — making import volumes sensitive to regional fuel-blending regulations. The heading also covers ethers of monohydric alcohols (2909191800), triethylene glycol dichloride (2909193000), and ethers of polyhydric alcohols (2909196000), which serve as solvents, plasticizer intermediates, and chemical building blocks. India and Japan are leading suppliers, with China also a significant source. Chinese-origin acyclic ethers may be subject to Section 301 tariffs, and importers should verify applicability at the specific 10-digit level.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
84 import shipments a month
MTBE itself is not federally banned for import, but its use as a fuel additive is effectively prohibited in many states due to groundwater contamination concerns. Importers should confirm the intended end-use and applicable state regulations before committing to a shipment, as downstream distribution may be restricted even if CBP entry is straightforward.
The distinction turns on the alcohol precursor: ethers derived from polyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycols) are classified under 2909196000, while those from monohydric alcohols fall under 2909191800. The chemical structure of the alcohol moiety — specifically the number of hydroxyl groups — is the controlling classification criterion.
Subheading 1 of 10 in heading 2909
Subheading 290919 · $412.0M of $481.6M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 290919 — Acyclic Ethers (Excluding Diethyl Ether), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2909191800 | Ethers of Monohydric Alcohols, NESOI | $4.4M | 9.28% | 66.53% | $411K |
| 2909196000 | Ethers of Polyhydric Alcohols & Their Derivatives | $910K | 28.93% | 100.00% | $263K |
| 2909191400 | Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (Mtbe) | $135K | 13.22% | 100.00% | $18K |
| 2909193000 | Triethylene Glycol Dichloride | $3K | 37.51% | 100.00% | $1K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2909191400 | Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (Mtbe) | $212.6M |
| 2909191800 | Ethers of Monohydric Alcohols, NESOI | $199.3M |
| 2909196000 | Ethers of Polyhydric Alcohols & Their Derivatives | $57K |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Japan and Mexico together take 75% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
21.0% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.66% of imports for consumption.
ImportsExports
Imports
$7.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$412.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $104.3M of Acyclic Ethers (Excluding Diethyl Ether) and exported $3.0B.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.