U.S. imports of Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Its Salts in Primary Forms (HS 391231) totaled $10.3M in August 2026, imported from 24 countries.
Importers of Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Its Salts in Primary Forms paid $1.3M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.86% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 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.
254 import shipments a month
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$10.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$3.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $119.7M of Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Its Salts in Primary Forms and exported $23.1M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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Subheading 4 of 6 in heading 3912
Subheading 391231 · $10.3M of $52.3M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3912310010 | Carboxymethylcellulose and Salts, Gt=90% Cmc by Wt | $6.9M | 11.92% | 69.68% | $828K |
| 3912310090 | Carboxymethylcellulose and Salts, Lt 90% Cmc by Wt | $3.3M | 14.85% | 65.34% | $489K |
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 | $3.0M |
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 · August 2026
origin
China pays 39.1% duty; Mexico 0.4%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
31.6% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.86% of imports for consumption.