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HSChapter 39
U.S. imports of carboxymethylcellulose (cmc) and its salts in primary forms (HS 391231) totaled $12.5M in July 2026, traded with 22 countries.
Importers of Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Its Salts in Primary Forms paid $991K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 12% on $8.4M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Its Salts in Primary Forms imports of $12.5M in July 2026 ran 16% above the year-to-date monthly average of $10.8M.
Last updated: July 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.
276 shipments/mo
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.
Subheading 2 of 6 in heading 3912
Subheading 391231 · $12.5M of $54.7M
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3912310010 | Carboxymethylcellulose and Salts, Gt=90% Cmc by Wt | $9.4M | 8.17% | 72.00% | $771K |
| 3912310090 | Carboxymethylcellulose and Salts, Lt 90% Cmc by Wt | $3.1M | 7.20% | 52.54% | $220K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3912310000 | Carboxymethylcellulose and Its Salts | $2.3M |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$12.5MYoY · Pro
Exports
$2.3MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
32.3% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 7.93%.