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HSChapter 13
U.S. imports of agar-agar (HS 130231) totaled $2.1M in July 2026, traded with 19 countries.
Importers of Agar-Agar paid $181K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 9.9% on $1.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Agar-Agar imports of $2.1M in July 2026 ran 13% below the year-to-date monthly average of $2.5M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataExtracted from red algae (primarily Gelidium and Gracilaria species), agar-agar is a widely traded hydrocolloid used in food manufacturing, microbiological culture media, and pharmaceutical applications. Spain leads US supply, reflecting its established seaweed harvesting and processing industry along the Atlantic coast, with Morocco and China also prominent sources. All US imports enter under tariff line 1302310000. Because agar-agar used in food or as a pharmaceutical excipient is subject to FDA review, importers should verify that shipments meet applicable purity and grade specifications before entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
46 shipments/mo
Both grades classify under 1302310000 — the HTS does not subdivide agar by end-use grade. However, bacteriological-grade agar destined for laboratory use may face different FDA review pathways than food-grade material. Importers should clearly document the intended use and applicable quality standard (e.g., USP, NF, or food-grade specification) in commercial invoices and entry documentation.
Imports of agar-agar from China may be subject to Section 301 tariffs. Importers sourcing from China should confirm the current Section 301 status for HTS 1302310000 with a licensed customs broker, as applicability and rates can change. Spain and Morocco, the leading alternative suppliers, are not currently subject to Section 301 measures.
Subheading 5 of 9 in heading 1302
Subheading 130231 · $2.1M of $130.7M
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.1MYoY · Pro
Exports
$567KYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
Spain and Mexico together supply 42% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
14.8% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 8.48%.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1302310000 | Agar-Agar | $2.1M | 8.48% | 85.23% | $181K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1302310000 | Agar-Agar | $567K |
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.
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