U.S. exports of cellulose & its chemical derivatives (nesoi) in primary forms (HS 391290) totaled $26.8M in August 2026.
Importers of Cellulose & Its Chemical Derivatives (NESOI) in Primary Forms paid $1.4M in duties in August 2026, an effective tariff rate of 12.79% of the $10.7M imported — duty actually collected as a share of that value, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataMicrocrystalline cellulose (MCC), alpha-cellulose powder, and other chemical derivatives of cellulose not classified elsewhere in heading 3912 are captured here, with the US schedule providing a dedicated line (3912900010) for alpha-cellulose in granular, microcrystalline, or powder form alongside a broader residual line (3912900090). MCC is a critical pharmaceutical excipient and food additive, making India — the leading US supplier — a strategically important source given its large pharmaceutical manufacturing base. Thailand and Japan are also notable suppliers, reflecting diverse end-use demand ranging from food texturizers to specialty paper and filtration media.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
192 shipments/mo
The dedicated line 3912900010 covers alpha-cellulose specifically presented in granular, microcrystalline, or powder form — the physical presentations used as pharmaceutical excipients and food additives. Other cellulose chemical derivatives that do not fit the acetate, nitrate, ether, or microcrystalline alpha-cellulose descriptions fall into the residual line 3912900090. The distinction matters because MCC is subject to FDA oversight as a food additive and pharmaceutical excipient, while other derivatives in the residual line may face different regulatory pathways.
MCC used as a pharmaceutical excipient must conform to USP monograph specifications and is subject to FDA's current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) expectations for excipient suppliers. Importers should ensure the foreign manufacturer is registered with FDA, maintain a supplier qualification program, and be prepared for FDA sampling at entry. Consulting a licensed customs broker and regulatory counsel familiar with pharmaceutical excipient imports is strongly recommended.
HSChapter 39
Subheading 3 of 6 in heading 3912
Subheading 391290 · $26.8M of $103.1M
ImportsExports
Imports
$10.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$26.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
YoY · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $126.4M of Cellulose & Its Chemical Derivatives (NESOI) in Primary Forms.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
1.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.79% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3912900010 | (Alpha)-Cellulose in Granular, Micrycrystal or Pwd | $8.8M | 13.56% | 98.81% | $1.2M |
| 3912900090 | Cellulose & Its Chemical Deriv,Primary Forms,NESOI | $1.9M | 9.24% | 96.56% | $176K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3912900000 | Cellulose & Its Chemical Deriv,Primary Forms,NESOI | $26.8M |
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
List your company under HS 391290 — Cellulose & Its Chemical Derivatives (NESOI) in Primary Forms, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.