U.S. exports of cellulose ethers (nesoi) in primary forms (HS 391239) totaled $35.5M in August 2026.
Importers of Cellulose Ethers (NESOI) in Primary Forms paid $1.6M in duties in August 2026, an effective tariff rate of 8.07% of the $19.7M imported — duty actually collected as a share of that value, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCellulose ethers not elsewhere specified — including methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), and ethylcellulose — are functional polymers serving construction (dry-mix mortars, tile adhesives), pharmaceuticals (tablet coatings, controlled-release matrices), and personal care formulations. Germany is the dominant US supplier under this heading, a position anchored by major specialty chemical producers with broad cellulose ether portfolios; South Korea and Japan are also significant sources. The single US tariff line (3912390000) covers all NESOI cellulose ethers, so importers rely on technical documentation to distinguish grades for end-use qualification rather than for classification purposes.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
394 shipments/mo
Classification of a blend depends on which component imparts the essential character. A product that is predominantly HPMC with a minor starch addition would typically remain under 3912390000 as a cellulose ether in primary form, but if the starch content is substantial enough to change the product's character, reclassification into Chapter 11 or another heading may be warranted. A binding ruling from CBP is the most reliable way to resolve ambiguous blend compositions.
Pharmaceutical-grade HPMC and ethylcellulose must meet compendial standards (USP, EP, or JP monographs) covering viscosity grade, degree of substitution, heavy metals, and microbial limits. Importers supplying pharma customers should obtain batch-specific certificates of analysis and, where required, Drug Master File (DMF) support from the manufacturer to satisfy FDA expectations for excipient sourcing.
HSChapter 39
Subheading 1 of 6 in heading 3912
Subheading 391239 · $35.5M of $103.1M
ImportsExports
Imports
$19.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$35.5MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
YoY · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $218.2M of Cellulose Ethers (NESOI) in Primary Forms.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
13.7% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 8.07% of total import value.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3912390000 | Cellulose Ethers,NESOI | $19.7M | 8.07% | 86.40% | $1.6M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3912390000 | Cellulose Ethers,NESOI | $35.5M |
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.
Trade Directory
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