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HSChapter 39
U.S. imports of alginic acid, its salts and esters, in primary forms (HS 391310) totaled $6.3M in July 2026, traded with 20 countries.
Importers of Alginic Acid, Its Salts and Esters, in Primary Forms paid $865K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 14% on $6.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Alginic Acid, Its Salts and Esters, in Primary Forms imports of $6.3M in July 2026 ran 14% above the year-to-date monthly average of $5.5M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataDerived from brown seaweed, alginic acid and its derivatives — including sodium alginate, potassium alginate, and propylene glycol alginate — serve as thickeners, gelling agents, and stabilizers across food, pharmaceutical, and textile industries. Norway is the dominant US supplier, reflecting its large-scale kelp harvesting operations, with China and Japan also significant sources. All imports enter under a single 10-digit line (3913100000), simplifying classification but not necessarily duty exposure, as Chinese-origin shipments may be subject to Section 301 tariffs. Food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade alginates require FDA review at entry, so importers should confirm grade specifications and labeling compliance before shipment.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
85 shipments/mo
The HTS classification under 3913100000 does not change based on grade, but food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade alginates are subject to FDA admissibility review at entry. Importers should ensure product labeling accurately reflects the intended use and that the foreign manufacturer is registered with FDA as required.
Norway's cold North Atlantic waters produce brown kelp with high alginate content and consistent quality, making Norwegian suppliers preferred for pharmaceutical and high-purity food applications. Chinese-origin alginates, while widely available, may carry Section 301 tariff exposure, which affects landed cost comparisons for US buyers.
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ImportsExports
Imports
$6.3MYoY · Pro
Exports
$1.1MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3913100000 | Alginic Acid,Its Salts and Esters | $6.3M | 13.67% | 99.75% | $865K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3913100000 | Alginic Acid,Its Salts and Esters | $1.1M |
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.
Imports · July 2026
origin
United Kingdom and Japan together supply 40% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
0.3% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 13.67%.