U.S. exports of Formic Acid (HS 291511) totaled $1.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Formic Acid paid $48K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 14.43% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Formic Acid imports of $334K in August 2026 ran 22% below the year-to-date monthly average of $427K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataFormic acid (methanoic acid), the simplest carboxylic acid, is widely used as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed, a leather tanning agent, a textile dyeing auxiliary, and a chemical intermediate. Finland and Spain are the leading US suppliers, reflecting the concentration of large-scale formic acid production capacity in Europe, where it is manufactured primarily from methanol and carbon monoxide. China is also a notable source, and Chinese-origin formic acid may be subject to Section 301 tariffs, making origin documentation a key compliance consideration for importers.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
19 import shipments a month
The largest demand segments are animal feed preservation (particularly in poultry and swine production, where formic acid controls pathogens), leather processing, and textile dyeing. It also serves as a chemical intermediate in the production of other organic compounds and as a descaling and cleaning agent in industrial settings.
Formic acid is classified as a corrosive hazardous material under DOT regulations, requiring proper hazmat labeling, packaging certification, and emergency response documentation. At concentrations above certain thresholds it is also subject to OSHA process safety and EPA reporting considerations at the receiving facility. Importers should work with a licensed customs broker and freight forwarder experienced in hazardous chemical shipments.
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Subheading 11 of 16 in heading 2915
Subheading 291511 · $1.2M of $190.5M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2915110000 | Formic Acid | $334K | 14.43% | 98.77% | $48K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2915110000 | Formic Acid Methanoic Acid) | $1.2M |
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
$334KYoY · free account
Exports
$1.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $4.7M of Formic Acid and exported $10.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Uruguay and Brazil together take 58% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
1.2% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 14.43% of imports for consumption.