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HSChapter 39
U.S. imports of carboxymethylcellulose (cmc) and its salts in primary forms (HS 391231) totaled $13.3M in April 2026, traded with 20 countries.
Importers of Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Its Salts in Primary Forms paid $1.0M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 12% on $8.6M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Its Salts in Primary Forms imports of $13.3M in April 2026 ran 28% above the year-to-date monthly average of $10.4M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataCarboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and its sodium, calcium, and other salts are water-soluble cellulose ethers widely used as thickeners, binders, and stabilizers in food, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and oil-well drilling fluids. The US schedule distinguishes high-purity grades (≥90% CMC by weight, line 3912310010) from lower-purity technical grades (line 3912310090), a split that reflects the different regulatory and performance requirements of food-grade versus industrial applications. Mexico leads US imports under this heading, with China a close second; imports of Chinese-origin CMC are subject to Section 301 tariffs, which has reinforced Mexico's position as a preferred near-shore source.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The 90% threshold separates high-purity, food- and pharmaceutical-grade CMC (3912310010) from lower-purity technical grades used in drilling muds, detergents, and paper coatings (3912310090). Importers should obtain a certificate of analysis confirming CMC content by weight to ensure the correct line is declared, as misclassification between the two lines can trigger penalty exposure.
CMC used as a food additive (labeled as cellulose gum) is regulated by FDA under 21 CFR as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance. While there is no mandatory pre-import FDA inspection for CMC itself, importers of food-grade material should maintain supplier documentation confirming compliance with applicable food-additive specifications and be prepared for FDA sampling at the port of entry. Consulting a licensed customs broker or regulatory counsel is advisable for food-contact applications.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3912310010 | CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND SALTS, GT=90% CMC BY WT | $8.1M | 10.21% | $520K |
| 3912310090 | CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND SALTS, LT 90% CMC BY WT | $5.2M | 14.40% | $506K |
CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND SALTS, GT=90% CMC BY WT
CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND SALTS, LT 90% CMC BY WT
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3912310000 | CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND ITS SALTS | $2.0M |
CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE AND ITS SALTS
205.5K kg
ARTICLES OF PLASTICS, NESOI
HS 392690
FLOOR, WALL, ETC COVERS, VINYL CHLORIDE POLYMERS
HS 391810
TABLEWARE AND KITCHENWARE OF PLASTICS
HS 392410
SACKS & BAGS (INCL CONES) OF POLYMERS OF ETHYLENE
HS 392321
HOUSEHOLD AND TOILET ARTICLES NESOI OF PLASTICS
HS 392490
PLATES, SHEETS ETC, NON-CELL ETC, POLYMER
HS 392010
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEWARK, NJ | $2.9M | -- | -$2.9M |
| HOUSTON, TX | $2.5M | $51K | -$2.4M |
| LAREDO, TX | $1.7M | $19K | -$1.7M |